Ontario · 2026 nursing licensing pathways

One clear hub for RN, RPN and Nurse Practitioner licensing exams.

Understand the correct exam, registration pathway, exam structure, official study materials and current regulator links for Ontario.

Start with the registration pathway Official resources

Choose your nursing category

Registered NurseNCLEX-RN →

RPN

Registered Practical NurseREx-PN →

Nurse PractitionerCNPLE →

Verified Aug. 9, 2026

Ontario exam map

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) determines which registration exam applies to each nursing category.

Nursing category	Ontario registration exam	Core format	Go to
Registered Nurse (RN)	NCLEX-RN	Computer-adaptive testing (CAT)	Full RN guide
Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)	REx-PN	Computer-adaptive testing (CAT)	Full RPN guide
Nurse Practitioner (NP)	Canadian Nurse Practitioner Licensure Exam (CNPLE)	National entry-level exam; primarily multiple choice	Full NP guide

Everything organized into linked pages

Use the site as a candidate pathway, study syllabus and official-resource directory.

Application & eligibility

Education, evidence of practice, language, jurisprudence, Transition to Practice and other Ontario requirements.

Registration requirements →

Internationally educated nurses

Ontario-specific starting points, document planning and regulator-directed assessment steps.

IEN pathway →

Study plans & checklists

Four-, eight- and twelve-week study frameworks plus printable topic checklists.

Study planning →

Important distinction

Passing the exam is not the same as becoming registered. CNO registration also depends on meeting the other requirements that apply to your application. Use the official CNO portal and messages as the authority for your file.