Restricted Activities and Advanced Authorizations

Restricted Activities (RAs) are high risk health services that require additional education, skills, and often, supervision. These activities are outlined in the Licensed Practical Nurses Profession Regulation (LPN Regulation).

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) practicing outside of the LPN Regulation or the Standards of Practice on Restricted Activities and Advanced Practice could result in unprofessional conduct, discipline, fines, and may not be covered by malpractice insurance.

Authorized Restricted Activities

Certain restricted activities require advanced training or education and authorization by the Registrar prior to the LPN performing them.

For a current list of restricted activities and areas of requiring advanced authorization, see the Standards of Practice on Restricted Activities and Advanced Practice.

DOWNLOAD Standards of Practice on RAs and Advanced Practice

The Policy on Practice and Education Requirements for Restricted Activities and Advanced Practice outlines the practice, education, and authorization for restricted activities LPNs are authorized to perform once they meet the requirements.

DOWNLOAD Policy: Practice and Education Requirements for RAs and Advanced Practice

Applying for CLPNA Authorization

Once an LPN completes approved advanced practice education, they MUST complete the following steps prior to practicing in the areas of Advanced Practice Orthopedics, Advanced Practice Perioperative, or Advanced Practice Foot Care.

DOWNLOAD Advanced Practice Application

Complete and submit the Advanced Practice Application, and
Send a copy of the certificate of completion to CLPNA (photograph and email to info@clpna.com).

LPNs are not fully authorized and not covered by LPN malpractice insurance for any advanced authorization until it is approved by CLPNA. Once approved, the advanced authorization will be listed on the LPN’s Practice Permit and the Public Registry of LPNs.

Approved Education

As outlined in the Standards of Practice on Restricted Activities and Advanced Practice, before performing any restricted activity or practicing in an area of advanced practice, the LPN must successfully complete the CLPNA module, ‘Understanding Restricted Activities’, or have graduated from a practical nurse entry-level education program in Alberta after June 2022.

LPNs graduating prior to June 2022, or who received their education in another jurisdiction, may require additional training to perform some restricted activities. This education may be obtained through an employer, on-the-job training, or through the CLPNA’s learning modules. LPNs who graduate in Alberta after June 2022 will have this education as a part of their entry-level education program.

Registrants can login into their myCLPNA account to access available CLPNA education modules:

myCLPNA LOGIN to access Module

Module login instructions

Approved Education for Advanced Authorizations

IMPORTANT: Before performing an advanced practice restricted activity or practicing in these areas, advanced authorization is required. LPNs must have authorization from the CLPNA’s Registrar noted on their practice permit.

The restricted activities that require advanced training or education and advanced authorization from the Registrar or Council prior to the LPN performing them include:

Medication administration via a central line (CVC, PICC, or IVAD) (Registrar Approved Feb. 1, 2020)
- Module available at MyCLPNA.com.
- Advanced authorization will be automatically listed on the LPN’s practice permit after successful completion of the CLPNA module.
Administering parenteral nutrition (Registrar Approved Feb. 1, 2020)
- Module available at MyCLPNA.com.
- Advanced authorization will be automatically listed on the LPN’s practice permit after successful completion of the CLPNA module.
Hemodialysis (Registrar Approved Feb. 1, 2020)
- Available through Alberta Health Services/Alberta Kidney Care on-the-job training. Certificate of completion must be submitted to the CLPNA to receive authorization.

For information on approved programs that offer training to practice in areas of Advanced Practice see:

A certificate of completion and Advanced Practice Application (below) must be submitted to the CLPNA to obtain authorization prior to proceeding in practice.

For additional information see the CLPNA’s Policy on Practice and Education Requirements for Restricted Activities and Advanced Practice.