Alberta New Graduates

This page describes the process for applicants who have graduated from an approved practical nurse diploma program in Alberta in the past four years.

To apply to the CLPNA as an Alberta New Graduate, you should not have been registered previously or have passed the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE). If this does not describe you, please take the applicant quiz.

Provisional and CPNRE Registration

Alberta new graduates have two options to apply with the CLPNA:

  • Apply for Provisional registration and the CPNRE: if you are successful in applying, you will receive a Provisional permit and be enrolled to write the CPNRE.
  • Apply for the CPNRE only: if you are successful in applying, you will only be able to write the CPNRE. You will not receive a practice permit in Alberta. If you wish to work in Alberta after writing the CPNRE, you will be required to submit an application to the CLPNA.

What Is Provisional Registration?

Provisional registration provides a temporary practice permit. This will allow you to work as a nurse under supervision while waiting to write the CPNRE.

Registrants with a Provisional practice permit are recognized as a Licensed Practical Nurse and may carry out the activities that they are competent to perform.

Upon approval of your Provisional application, you will receive a final invoice. This invoice covers the cost of a Provisional practice permit and writing the CPNRE. This invoice must be paid in full before a practice permit will be issued. For a list of current fees please see: Fee Schedule.

You can look up the expiry date for your Provisional permit on your MyCLPNA account. You may extend your Provisional registration up to a maximum of one year from the date it was initially issued. After one year, or if a Provisional registrant chooses not to extend their permit, the registration will not be renewed. If you choose not to extend your Provisional permit, you will forfeit any remaining time.

Upon successful completion of the CPNRE, the LPN holding a Provisional practice permit is eligible for an Active practice permit and they are automatically added to the general register.

Policy: Provisional Registration

Review Application Requirements Before You Apply

As an Alberta New Graduate, you will need to prepare the following before you can submit a completed application for provisional registration. See our Declarations and Registration Requirements Policy for more information.

How to Apply

Applying for a Provisional Permit and the CPNRE

  1. Create your account on MyCLPNA. To submit an application, you must have an account with MyCLPNA.
  2. Once logged in, select APPLY under Provisional to begin the New Graduate application.
  3. Submit the application and pay the $100 application fee.
  4. If your paid application has any missing requirements, the CLPNA will contact you within five business days. If you have not yet completed the Jurisprudence Module, you will receive information on how to access the module.
  5. You will receive a decision letter and final invoice for your permit fee and cost of CPNRE within ten business days of all application requirements being met. You will need to meet all application requirements before you receive a decision letter.
  6. You will receive information on how to register for the CPNRE within ten business days of your invoice being paid. You will be placed in the first available testing window and be able to register for a specific testing day. For more information, see CPNRE.

If you currently hold a student membership, please follow these instructions:

1. Log into your MyCLPNA account.

2. Once logged in, select Provisional (Alberta Graduates). Please note that on the application it will show as a reinstatement application.

3. Submit the application and pay the $100 application fee.

4. If your paid application has any missing requirements, the CLPNA will contact you within five business days. If you have not yet completed the Jurisprudence Module, you will receive information on how to access the module.

5. You will receive a decision letter and final invoice for your permit fee and cost of CPNRE within ten business days of all application requirements being met. You will need to meet all application requirements before you receive a decision letter.

6. You will receive information on how to register for the CPNRE within ten business days of your invoice being paid. You will be placed in the first available testing window and be able to register for a specific testing day. For more information, see CPNRE.

Requirements

  • Paper application form: please email studentservices@clpna.com for this form.
  • $100 application fee (see Fee Schedule).
  • Two forms of valid ID (see List of Valid ID).
  • Official transcripts: transcripts must be sent from your school directly to the CLPNA. The CLPNA will also accept official transcripts sent through MyCreds to studentservices@clpna.com.

How to Apply

  1. Create your account on MyCLPNA.
  2. Email studentservices@clpna.com to request a paper application. Do not apply online for a Provisional practice permit if you are only applying to take the CPNRE.
  3. Return the completed paper application to studentservices@clpna.com. Include the requirements listed in the previous section.
  4. Once your completed application has been received, the $100 application fee invoice will appear on your MyCLPNA account. You will need to submit this payment for your application to be processed.
  5. Your application will be reviewed within five business days of paying the application fee. You will be contacted if there are any other requirements that your application must meet.
  6. You will receive a decision letter and final invoice of $600 for the CPNRE fees within ten business days of your application requirements being met.
  7. Once your CPNRE invoice has been paid, information on registering for the exam will be sent within ten business days. You will be placed in the first available testing window and be able to register for a specific testing day. For more information, see CPNRE.

 

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.