International Applicants

International Nurse Applicants

Welcome, international nurses. 

Are you an international nurse not yet licensed in Canada and want to work in Nova Scotia? On this page, you will find information about applying for registration, licensing, exams, and more.

  • Currency of Practice
  • Registration and Licensing Processes
  • Conditional Licensing Eligibility and Options
  • Registration Exam Information
  • Additional Education Requirement
  • Employment & Immigration
  • Helpful Resources & Links 

Currency of Practice 

To qualify for a nursing licence in Nova Scotia, you must have recent nursing practice experience or education. 

As an international nurse to be eligible for registration and licensure, you must meet one or more of these requirements:

  1. Practiced as a nurse within the last 3 years*
  2. Practiced as a nurse at least 320 hours in the last 5 years*
  3. Successfully completed a nursing registration exam in the last 3 years**
  4. Successfully completed a re-entry program, bridging education, entry-level nursing program, or competence assessment within the last 5 years.

*If you are seeking an LPN licence, recent RN or LPN practice is required. If you are seeking an RN licence, recent RN practice is required.

** Must also meet #1 or #2 

Don’t meet these requirements?

Email us at registration@nscn.ca before applying.

Registration and Licensing Pathways for International Applicants

Before You Start the Process 
  • NSCN and Nova Scotia Health do not work with recruitment agencies or individuals that offer faster licensing or work placement for a fee. You are working only with us. No payments are required outside of official NSCN processes.
  • If you are educated as a mental health nurse, email registration@nscn.ca before applying.
What nursing designation do I want to pursue? 
  • In Nova Scotia, there are 2 nursing designations: Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
  • Read the Nursing Scope of Practice (PDF) document to understand the difference between an RN and LPN.
  • If you are educated as an RN, you can choose to apply for an RN or LPN nursing licence.
  • There are separate applications, fees and registration exams for each designation. 
Traditional Licensing Pathway - National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)
  • Apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) to get an NNAS Advisory Report for Nova Scotia.
  • When you have received your Advisory Report from NNAS you can apply to NSCN. Do not apply to NSCN until you receive the Advisory Report.
  • Review the Frequently Asked Questions document before you apply to NNAS.

Learn how to apply via the traditional licensing/NNAS process.

Expedited Licensing Process for Designated Countries (Temporarily Paused) 
  • As of January 20, 2025, this pathway is paused for new applicants.
  • IENs seeking licensure with NSCN must first apply to NNAS via the traditional licensure process.
  • More information on this pause can be found in our FAQ resource.
  • Updates on when applications will resume will be posted here.

The Different Licences and Licensing Options

Once your application (for RN or LPN) has been approved, you will be eligible for a Practising Licence (PL) or a Conditional Licence (CL).  You “activate” or get your licence by paying the fee. 

Practising Licence
  • To get a practicing license, you must pass the NCLEX-RN or CPNRE (LPN) registration exam.
  • All practicing licences expire on October 31st of each year and must be renewed before November 1st.
  • You cannot practice as a nurse without an active licence.
Conditional Licence 
  • If you have not yet passed the required exam, you may qualify for a conditional licence.
  • This licence allows you to practice in Nova Scotia while you prepare to write the registration exam.
  • Conditional licences must be renewed every 4-months.
  • You cannot practice without an active licence.
Conditional Licence Details

There are conditions attached to your conditional licence. They are intended to support you as you transition to practice in Nova Scotia. You are responsible  to understand and follow them.

Things to think about before activating your licence and deciding how you want to move forward.

  • Once you activate your conditional licence, it must be renewed by its expiration date.
  • You may not need to activate your conditional licence until you arrive in Canada. *
  • Generally, to immigrate, you must have a job offer in place. *
  • You can take the registration exam without activating a conditional licence.
  • You must meet the English Language Proficiency Registration Requirement.**

*Check with your immigration official.

**Some employers may want you to complete an English language test prior to starting work. Check with them to determine their preferred test and required score.

Your options:

  1. Get a conditional licence and take the exam now.
  2. Get a conditional licence now, take the exam later.
  3. Take the exam now and get a conditional licence later.
  4. Wait—get a conditional licence and take the exam later.

Need assistance with your decision? This infographic and the Q&As for RNs (PDF) and LPNs (PDF) will assist you.

  • A conditional licence expires in 4 months and must be renewed before it expires.

You cannot practice without an active licence.

  • You can renew your conditional license a maximum of 3 times in 12 months—or 3 registration exam failures—whichever comes first.

Learn more about conditional licensing for RNs (PDF) and LPNs (PDF) or our Conditional Licensing Question and Answer (PDF).  

Registration Exam Information

To qualify for a practising licence, you must pass the required registration exam.

  • If you have already passed a registration exam, you must provide proof of your exam results.
  • You do not need to activate your conditional licence to write the registration exam.
  • Your eligibility for the registration exam never expires.

Learn more about registration exams.

The CPNRE is an online test. It can be offered anywhere as long as you meet the testing vendors requirements.  

  • You have up to 3 attempts to pass the exam.
  • Results are generally available within 4 weeks.

Learn more about the CPNRE Exam.

The NCLEX-RN Exam can be taken at any Pearson Vue testing location offering the exam. 

  • There is no limit to how many times you can attempt to pass the exam.
  • Results are generally available within 2 weeks.

Learn more about the NCLEX-RN Exam.

Holding a Conditional Licence
  • You are not entitled to hold a conditional licence after your 3rd failed attempt at the CPNRE or NCLEX-RN.
  • You must stop working as a nurse and notify your employer immediately if you have failed the exam for the 3rd time.

Am I required to complete additional education?

You may need to complete additional education or testing before you can get licensed if:

Important: These education programs may require in-person attendance and additional costs. Learn more.

Employment and Immigration

Immigration and job placement is outside of our role. Here is some helpful information to know about immigration and links to Nova Scotian employers.

  • A job offer is usually needed to start the immigration process.
  • If you have a work permit, you do not have to activate your conditional licence until you arrive in Canada.
  • Check with your local immigration and settlement office for details.

Learn more about immigrating to Nova Scotia:

Other Helpful Resources & Links