Nursing Programs in Ontario: A Student Guide
The short answer
Ontario regulates nurses through the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). It sets entry-to-practice requirements and approves nursing education programs; it does not run schools. Its site states that programs listed there have been approved by CNO, with separate lists for baccalaureate RN programs and for the colleges that offer approved practical nursing programs. Start there.
RN and RPN are different routes
- Registered Nurse (RN): a baccalaureate program approved by CNO. RN applicants write the NCLEX-RN.
- Registered Practical Nurse (RPN): a practical nursing program at a college approved by CNO. RPN applicants write the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN), which CNO says replaced the CPNRE from January 4, 2022.
CNO also says both RN and RPN applicants complete a jurisprudence examination about Ontario nursing laws, regulations and practice standards. The Nurse Practitioner designation (Extended Class) is a separate graduate-level step.
How to use the CNO lists
CNO tells applicants to contact the schools directly for details about programs and courses, since CNO does not offer programs itself. Use the list to confirm that a program exists and is approved, then use the school page for admission rules, intake dates, placement structure and costs.
A fill-in comparison sheet
One column per program; the content below is fictional.
| Item | Program A (fictional) | Program B (fictional) |
|---|---|---|
| Credential and length | Direct-entry BN, as stated on the program page | After-degree BN, as stated on the program page |
| Approved by the regulator? | Listed on the regulator page, date checked: ____ | Listed on the regulator page, date checked: ____ |
| Prerequisites (and do any expire?) | Written out course by course | Written out course by course |
| Application deadline and selection method | Date and criteria copied from the admissions page | Date and criteria copied from the admissions page |
| Placement sites and travel | Ask the school where students are placed | Ask the school where students are placed |
| Language and other requirements | As listed by the school | As listed by the school |
| Route | RN, baccalaureate (example) | RPN, college diploma (example) |
| Next step after graduation | NCLEX-RN, jurisprudence exam, application to CNO | REx-PN, jurisprudence exam, application to CNO |
Questions to ask the school
- How do students apply: through a central application service or directly to the school? Confirm on the school page.
- Are there bridging options between RPN and RN, and what are their entry rules?
- Where are clinical placements held and how are they assigned?
- What documents are required before placement?
Common mistakes
- Confusing the RPN designation (Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario) with the Registered Psychiatric Nurse designation used in some western provinces.
- Assuming a program is approved because it uses nursing words in its name.
- Forgetting the jurisprudence exam when planning the post-graduation timeline.
FAQ
Q: Does a program listed by a school automatically qualify me to register?
No. Registration is decided by the regulator, not the school. Check that the program is on the CNO's approved list and read the registration requirements that apply to graduates.
Q: Should I rely on this page for deadlines or tuition?
No. This page deliberately gives no deadlines, fees or admission averages because they change. Use the admissions page of each school and note the date you checked.
Q: Is this page legal or registration advice?
No. It is educational. Fiabita is a documentation and study tool, not a regulator or an admissions service.
Sources and further reading
- CNO: Approved nursing programs — checked October 2026
- CNO: Entry-to-practice examinations — checked October 2026
- CNO: Becoming a nurse in Ontario
- CASN accreditation and accredited-programs directory — national accreditation is separate from regulator approval