English Language Proficiency

All applicants to the CLPNA must demonstrate English language proficiency. More information about this can be found in the English Language Proficiency Policy.

You can meet the CLPNA’s English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
If you completed nursing education, in any country, where English was the language of instruction.
If you graduated from a two-year non-practical nurse program in Canada where English was the language of instruction.
If you completed secondary school in English in any country.
If you have current nursing registration in another Canadian jurisdiction where English language proficiency has been assessed as meeting the requirements of language proficiency.
If you successfully meet the standard of either the Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Version.
If your employer provides verification that you have been providing health services primarily in English.

Applications for registration are not considered complete and ready for assessment until the language requirement has been met.

Applicants and registrants can expect these standards when interacting with the Registration Department at the CLPNA.

  • Phone calls will be returned within one business day.
  • Emails will be returned within two business days.
  • Applications received with payment will be reviewed within five business days.
  • Completed applications will be processed with a decision letter within ten business days.
  • Invoices for approved applications will be available when the decision letter is issued.
  • A practice permit will be issued immediately upon receipt of the final invoice payment.

The Registration Service Standards policy outlines registration service standards at the CLPNA.

Questions About Registration?

Contact Registration through Ask CLPNA
or call 1-800-661-5877.