Approved Practical Nurse Programs

The following practical nurse education programs are approved by the Council of the CLPNA as mandated by the Health Professions Act (HPA). The review process is administered by the Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC).

Practical Nurse Diploma Program Approval Status

The practical nurse diploma program is the basic education required to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alberta.

Below is a current list of CLPNA-approved programs.

Program Main Delivery Site Other Location(s) *Confirm with the Post Secondary Institution, as may vary. Status Next Review Date
Bow Valley College  Calgary Airdrie, Okotoks, Strathmore, Cochrane Full Approval Winter 2025
Columbia College   Calgary Full Approval Fall 2025
Keyano College Fort McMurray Full Approval Fall 2024
Lethbridge College Lethbridge Full Approval Fall 2026
Medicine Hat College  Brooks Campus Full Approval Fall 2025
NorQuest College  Edmonton Wetaskiwin Full Approval Winter 2026
NorQuest College (Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN)) Edmonton Approval to implement Winter 2024
Northern Lakes College  Slave Lake Lloydminster, Grande Prairie (Year 2), Home-Based (High Prairie), Peace River/High Level, Wabasca Full Approval Fall 2025
Northwestern Polytechnic  Grande Prairie Approval to implement Winter 2024
Portage College  Cold Lake Lac La Biche, St. Paul Full Approval Fall 2024
Red Deer Polytechnic Red Deer Drumheller and Ponoka, Rocky Mountain House and Stettler Full Approval Winter 2024
Red Deer Polytechnic Three Hills Brokered* Three Hills (Prairie College) Approval to implement Fall 2023
(Table updated December 9, 2022)

*Brokered = Post-Secondary Institutions that enter into agreements to deliver another institution’s approved program.

The program approval timeline is dependent on the approval status and is guided by the Standards for Diploma Program Approval of Practical Nurse Education (2019). This process includes an in-depth review of the curriculum and program delivery models and site visits to the educational institution and clinical placement sites. The CLPNA’s Council makes the approval decision based on the results of the program review.

Refresher Program Approval Status

Practical nurse refresher programs support a return to practice for individuals who were previously registered with the CLPNA on the general register but are no longer eligible for Active registration.

Below is a current list of CLPNA-approved programs.

Program Main Delivery Site Other Location(s) *Confirm with the Post Secondary Institution, as may vary. Status Next Review Date
Lethbridge College Lethbridge (distance delivery) Full Approval Fall 2026
(Table updated August 18, 2023)

Advanced Authorization Education Approval Status

To practice in areas of Advanced Practice, LPNs are required to complete CLPNA-approved advanced training or education in the areas of Advanced Practice Foot Care, Advanced Practice Perioperative Nursing, and Advanced Practice Orthopedic Nursing.

Restricted Activities and Advanced Authorizations

Below is a current list of CLPNA-approved programs.

Advanced Practice Foot Care Programs

Program Main Delivery Site Other Location(s) *Confirm with the Post Secondary Institution, as may vary. Status Next Review Date
Alberta Foot Care Academy Calgary Conditional Approval Ongoing
Edmonton Foot Care Academy Edmonton Conditional Approval Ongoing
NorQuest College Edmonton Full Approval Winter 2027
(Table updated December 7, 2023)

Advanced Practice Perioperative Nursing Programs

Program Main Delivery Site Other Location(s) *Confirm with the Post Secondary Institution, as may vary. Status Next Review Date
MacEwan University Edmonton Full Approval Fall 2027
Bow Valley College Calgary Approval to Implement Winter 2026
(Table updated December 7, 2023)

Advanced Practice Orthopedic Nursing Programs

Program Main Delivery Site Other Location(s) *Confirm with the Post Secondary Institution, as may vary. Status Next Review Date
NorQuest College Edmonton Full Approval Fall 2027
(Table updated September 21, 2023)