New Graduates
PROVISIONAL AND CPNRE REGISTRATION
IMPORTANT: To work or accept employment in Alberta, Licensed Practical Nurses must have registration and a valid Practice Permit from the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA), as per the Health Professions Act (HPA) of Alberta.
Provisional Registration allows new graduates who have completed an approved Practical Nursing Program in Alberta to practice (work) as a nurse under supervision while waiting to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE).
Applicants who graduated from a Canadian Practical Nursing Program outside of Alberta may apply for Provisional Registration as an Out of Province New Grad if they:
- have not taken a registration exam (Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam) and
- are not registered in another Canadian Jurisdiction
RELATED – Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE)
Upon approval of a new graduate provisional application, applicants 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 visit the Fee Schedule.
Members with Provisional Practice Permit are recognized as a Licensed Practical Nurse and may carry out the competencies that they are competent to perform.
Provisional Practice Permits are short-term; all Provisional Registrations expire on December 31 and may be extended up to a maximum of one year from the date it was initially issued. Provisional Registrants are required to extend their permit to a maximum time frame of one year in the fall every year. After one year or if a Provisional Registrant chooses not to extend their permit, the Provisional Registration will not be renewed.
Upon successful completion of the CPNRE, the LPN holding a Provisional Practice Permit is eligible for an Active Practice Permit.
DOWNLOAD Policy: Provisional Registration

Registration Requirements & Process
The CLPNA is committed to having transparent, objective, impartial, and procedurally fair registration practices.
The Declarations & Registration Requirements Policy outlines the declarations and registration requirements for all registration categories. Applicants must ensure that they fulfill all necessary requirements in their application, including successful completion of the Jurisprudence Exam.
DOWNLOAD Policy: Declarations and Registration Requirements
How to Apply
RELATED – Fee Schedule
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- From our website: https://www.clpna.com/
- Click on the myCLPNA button and sign up with your email address. You will receive an email with a link asking you to complete your registration.
- Once logged in, on the Dashboard select “Apply” under Provisional to begin the New Graduate Application.
- Complete the application either in one sitting or save the form for later with the button at the bottom.
- Once you have filled out both application pages, you will be able to submit your application and pay the application fee.
- After the application has been submitted and the application fee paid, the CLPNA will review your application and contact you within five (5) business days regarding any outstanding requirements or next steps.
- Additionally, you are required to submit a Criminal Record Check through myBackCheck. Click the button below to proceed:
- From our website: https://www.clpna.com/
The Verification of Registration form is required to be completed if you are/or have been registered in another jurisdiction:
Official transcripts must be sent from your school directly to the CLPNA. The CLPNA will also accept transcripts sent to studentservices@clpna.com through MyCreds.
Updated July 4, 2023
CLPNA’S REGISTRATION SERVICE STANDARDS
This policy outlines registration service standards at the CLPNA. Applicants and registrants can expect these standards when interacting with the Registration Team at the CLPNA.
Registration Service Standards
Updated June 24, 2022