NCLEX in Canada: Your Complete Guide
How Canadian nursing graduates and internationally educated nurses register for and pass the NCLEX-RN in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and across Canada.
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NCLEX in Canada: What You Need to Know
Looking for help with NCLEX in Canada? You are in the right place. This guide gives nursing candidates across the USA and Canada clear, practical steps to prepare for the NCLEX with confidence.
Do Canadian Nurses Take the NCLEX?
Yes. Since 2015, the NCLEX-RN has been the entry-to-practice exam for registered nurses in most Canadian provinces and territories. Canadian candidates take the same exam as U.S. candidates, in English or French, at Pearson VUE test centres.
Quebec is the exception: RN candidates in Quebec write the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ) professional examination instead. Practical nurses in Canada write the REx-PN (Ontario and British Columbia) or the CPNRE (other provinces), not the NCLEX-PN.
Canadian Nursing Regulators
| Province | RN Regulator |
|---|---|
| Ontario | College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) |
| British Columbia | BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) |
| Alberta | College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) |
| Saskatchewan | College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) |
| Manitoba | College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM) |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) |
| New Brunswick | Nurses Association of New Brunswick (NANB) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CRNNL) |
| Quebec | OIIQ (uses its own exam, not the NCLEX-RN) |
How to Register for the NCLEX-RN in Canada
- Apply for registration with your provincial nursing regulator.
- Internationally educated nurses typically start with the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS).
- Once your regulator approves your eligibility, register with Pearson VUE and pay the fee.
- Receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) and book your exam date.
- Test at a Pearson VUE centre in Canada, the U.S. or an approved international location.
NCLEX Fees in Canada
Testing in Canada? Let’s Talk.
Message Dr. Blake on WhatsApp about NCLEX-RN and REx-PN prep in your province.
Chat on WhatsApp – +1 872-306-0288The NCLEX registration fee in Canada is currently $360 CAD (plus applicable taxes). NCSBN has announced it will increase to $570 CAD for registrations made on or after February 1, 2027. Registering before that date locks in the current fee. Read more in our NCLEX fee increase guide.
Tips for Canadian NCLEX Candidates
- Learn U.S. drug names and units, but know the exam avoids content that differs by country where possible.
- Use metric and conversions confidently for dosage calculations.
- Focus on clinical judgment and prioritization, which make up a large part of the exam.
- Take practice exams under timed conditions to build stamina for up to 5 hours.
NCLEX Review for Canadian Nurses
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Start Your NCLEX JourneyNCLEX Canada FAQ
Is the NCLEX-RN in Canada the same as in the U.S.?
Yes. It is the same NCSBN exam with the same format, content and passing standard.
Can I write the NCLEX in French in Canada?
Yes. The NCLEX-RN is available in French for Canadian candidates.
Do I need NNAS before the NCLEX?
Most internationally educated nurses applying in Canada outside Quebec begin with NNAS, then apply to a provincial regulator, which decides NCLEX eligibility.
Can a Canadian RN work in the United States?
Passing the NCLEX-RN helps, but you must still apply for licensure with a U.S. state board of nursing and meet immigration requirements.
Related: NCLEX for internationally educated nurses · NCLEX-RN guide