This allows a recent graduate to practice as a Graduate Nurse while waiting to complete the RN requirements. This license is limited to 120 days and can be renewed to a maximum of 2 times.

Graduate registered for NCLEX Exam with the CRNS: If you wish to practice as a Graduate Nurse while waiting to write the exam and receive your results, the Graduate Nurse form will become available to you on the CRNS Portal within 3 to 5 business days after you have booked your exam appointment with Pearson VUE.

Canadian Graduate registered for NCLEX Exam with another Regulatory Body: Once your initial application has been approved the Graduate Nurse form will become available on the CRNS Portal.

Requirements for Graduate Nurse license

• Current Criminal Record Check.
• Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CRNS) Professional Liability Protection (PLP) the instructions are on the application form. Use your CRNS Registration # which can be found on your CRNS portal.
• Submit your application and fee for licensure.

Application Process

• Criminal Record Check Report (CRC) - Applicants seeking licensure are required to submit a CRC (City Police, RCMP or through CSI Background Screening) report that has an issue date within 6 months of the date of this application.
• Complete the Graduate Nurse change form, attach your CRC to your application, purchase your CNPS PLP and pay the required fee.
• Once your application has been approved, your Graduate Nurse License will be issued, and will appear on the CRNS Portal. Prior to starting work as a GN verify that your license is active by checking the Nurse License Check.

For Registered Nurses (RN) educated in Canada or Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) currently licensed in another Canadian province or territory, begin your application process here.

Create an account with the CRNS, complete your application and pay the required fees. You can download the Instructions for Canadian Applicants and the Checklist for Canadian Applicants to assist you with the application process.

As part of your application, you will need to provide the following requirements for licensure:

Requirements for Licensure 

You must be able to demonstrate evidence of practice:

• Recent graduate from an approved registered nursing education program and passed the NCLEX-RN in the last 3 years; or
• Worked in approved registered nursing activities in the last 3 years; or
• Completed an approved registered nursing re-entry program in the last 3 years.

Application for Licensure Process 

• Proof of legal name - a clear copy of your original or certified birth certificate, current government issued photo ID and if applicable, legal name change document.
• Current Canadian Criminal Record Check (CRC) no more than 6 months old from the local police force, RCMP or CSI Background Screening.
• If your local authorities require a signed and dated letter from the CRNS, contact register@crns.ca to request this. Please include your name and application number.
• Obtain a current International Criminal Records Check if you have worked as an RN outside the country in the last 10 years.
• If English is not your primary language, proof of English language proficiency is required. You can demonstrate English proficiency by:
  • Successful completion of one of the following approved tests of English within the last two years: Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) or International English Language System (IELTS) Academic Version or Occupational English Test (OET) or Pearson PTE Academic; or
  • If you have been employed in an English-speaking role (Care Aide, Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse) immediately preceding application for licensure, for at least one (1) year, complete the Canadian RN Applicant: Consent for Employer Attestation of English Language Proficiency  and upload it into your application. The CRNS will process this form on your behalf; or
  • Provide evidence of successful completion of an approved or recognized Canadian RN re-entry program by submitting official transcripts.
• Complete and upload the Consent Form to Obtain Employment Verification Information. The CRNS will process this requirement on your behalf, if applicable.
• Complete the RN Employment/ Education form and upload to your application.
• Declare any RN practice hours for the last 5 years from all other RN regulatory bodies (Note: do not include hours worked as a Care Aide, Practical Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Grad Nurse or Volunteer). If you do not have nursing practice hours for a given year, please enter 0.
• You will need to verify your original and current/most recent RN registration and licensure.
  • Complete the Verification of Registration/Licensure form for your current or most recent registration. Send it to the regulatory body of the province or country where you have most recently registered as an RN.
  • Complete the Verification of Registration/Licensure form for your current or most recent registration. Send it to the regulatory body of the province or country where you have most recently registered and practiced as an RN.
• You may have to submit verification(s) of registration(s) from jurisdictions where you have previously been registered if we require this information to establish a complete registration history.

Next Steps 

Once all requirements have been received, a licensure decision will be rendered in no more than 20 business days.

Once your application for RN Eligibility has been approved, you will be sent an email to log into the CRNS Portal to pay for the annual RN licensure fees.

Regulations and entry requirements are subject to bylaw and policy changes.

For Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) who have never been licensed as an RN in Canada, begin your application process here.

NOTE:  If you are licensed as a RN in any Canadian jurisdiction (province) you are not considered an Internationally Educated Applicant and you need to apply as a Canadian RN.

For detailed information refer to the IEN Detailed Application Process and Frequently Asked Questions.

Requirements for Licensure

• Receipt of an advisory report from the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS).
• Official proof of English language proficiency.
• Successful completion of a registered nursing education program.
• Official proof of initial registration from the country where you completed your basic registered nursing education.
• Official proof of most recent registration if it is different from your initial registration.
• Proof of legal name (original or certified copy of birth certificate, government issued valid passport and marriage certificate, if applicable).
• Proof of recency of practice in the 3 years immediately preceding the application for registration. This can be demonstrated by having:
  • worked in registered nursing activities approved by the college;
  • completed an approved registered nursing re-entry program; or,
  • completed an approved registered nursing education program and passed the NCLEX exam.

NOTE: If you do not meet the above evidence of practice requirements for licensure, you may be required to complete additional education, including, but not limited to, a bridging program.

Application for Licensure Process

• Complete the NNAS Assessment and receive an advisory report from National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS).
• Create an account with the CRNS.
• There are 2 application types, choose the one that applies to you:
  • I am an IEN seeking licensure in Canada for the first time and I have NOT written and passed the NCLEX.
  • I am an IEN seeking licensure in Canada for the first time and I HAVE written and passed the NCLEX.
• Enter your NNAS ID number and NNAS Application number.
• Upload a copy of your birth certificate and government issued valid passport (and marriage certificate, if applicable).
• English is the primary language used in health care in Saskatchewan. You are required to be proficient in English. There are different ways that proficiency can be demonstrated:
  • Acceptable English language test(s). Acceptable English language test results must remain current throughout the application and exam process until RN licensure has been obtained. See Acceptable English Tests. Please visit the IELTS, CELBAN, OET and PTE websites for current testing information.
  • Proof of completion of a baccalaureate, re-entry, or bridging program delivered in Canada, the USA, the UK, New Zealand or Australia.
  • Employer attestation if you have worked in an English-speaking role (Care Aide, Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse) in Canada, the USA, the UK, New Zealand or Australia, with the same employer for the previous 2 years.
• Complete and upload the RN Employment/ Education History form.
• Complete and upload IEN Consent form for Employer Statement.
• Enter the information for all jurisdictions/regulatory bodies where you are currently, or have previously been, registered/licensed as a Registered Nurse.
• Submit your application for licensure along with applicable fees.
• Upon review of your application, if you have passed the NCLEX, an NCLEX Verification form will be provided to you.
• Once your application has been reviewed, you will be contacted with next steps within 50 business days.

Regulations and entry requirements are subject to bylaw and policy changes.

How can you reach us?

If you have questions, contact international@crns.ca.

Requirements for Licensure

• Hold a license in good standing with the CRNS.
• Successfully complete approved RN (Additional Authorized Practice) [RN(AAP)] courses.

Application for Licensure Process

• Complete the 3 approved RN(AAP) courses through Saskatchewan Polytechnic Continuing Education.
• Request a copy of your RN(AAP) course transcripts to be sent directly to the CRNS.
• After reviewing transcripts, the CRNS will contact you with next steps.

Regulations and entry requirements are subject to bylaw and policy changes.

This allows a recent graduate to practice as a Graduate Nurse Practitioner (GNP) while waiting to complete the NP requirements. This license is limited to 8 months and can be renewed once.

Graduate Nurse Practitioner registered for CNPE with the CRNS

If you wish to practice as a GNP while waiting to write the exam and receive the results, you must first apply for and be made eligible to write the CNPE.

Requirements for Graduate Nurse Practitioner License

• Successfully complete an approved nurse practitioner program.
• Have an employer and designated supervisor.
• Successfully complete a CDSA course if not part of your NP education program.
• Eligible to write the CNPE.

Application Process:

• Complete the Application for Graduate Nurse Practitioner (GNP) License, available on the CRNS Portal once your exam application has been approved.
• Submit a current Canadian Criminal Record Check.

GNP License Scope and Supervising a GNP

• A GNP cannot be granted:
  • a Saskatchewan prescriber number
  • a laboratory diagnostic identifier

These identifiers are granted when a NP license is issued.

• A GNP must be supervised by an NP or a physician in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CRNS Bylaws).
  • This supervision can be direct (side by side) or indirect (in the facility). Over time, supervision typically transitions from direct to indirect.
• A GNP cannot independently:
  • prescribe medications
  • order diagnostic or laboratory tests
  • make referrals to other providers and/or services

All these activities must be co-signed and would be issued under the supervisor’s authority.

• A GNP cannot prescribe controlled drugs and substances. This would need to be done by their supervisor.

If you have questions, contact regulation@crns.ca.

Requirements for Licensure

• Successfully complete an approved Nurse Practitioner (NP) education program.
• Hold an RN license in good standing in Saskatchewan.
• Current Canadian Criminal Record Check (CRC).

Application for Licensure Process

• Login to the CRNS Portal and choose “add the Nurse Practitioner designation.”
• Submit a current Canadian CRC (no more than 6 months old).
• Submit and pay required fees.
• Once you pass the NP Exam, the NP practicing application will be available in the CRNS Portal.

Regulations and entry requirements are subject to bylaw and policy changes.

NP from another Canadian Province

Requirements for Licensure

• Hold an RN license in good standing in Saskatchewan.
• Proof of successful completion of an NP education program.
• Proof of passing the NP licensure exam.
• Proof of successful completion of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Module (CDSA) from Saskatchewan Polytechnic or Athabasca University if it was not part of your NP program.
• Current Canadian CRC.
• Proof of licensure in good standing as an NP in the jurisdiction last practised.
• Recency of practice.

Application for Licensure Process

• Login to the CRNS Portal and choose “add the Nurse Practitioner designation.”
• Provide proof of successful completion of CDSA Module and upload it to the CRNS Portal, if applicable.
• Submit a current Canadian CRC (no more than 6 months old).
• Complete Verification of Original Registration/Licensure Form from the province you obtained your basic nursing education.
• Complete the Verification of Current or Most Recent Registration/Licensure Form and send it to the regulatory body of the province where you’ve most recently registered/practiced as an NP.
• Complete the Consent Form to Obtain Employment Verification Information.
• Submit and pay required fees.
• Once all requirements are satisfied, your application will be subject to a final review.

If you are an internationally educated NP, who completed their program or are licensed outside of Canada and want to practice in Saskatchewan contact register@crns.ca.

To support registrants who do not meet the bylaw requirements for initial registration and/or licensure renewal, the CRNS introduced the Supervised Practice Experience (SPE) as an alternative pathway.

This initiative is designed to help registrants meet and/or maintain entry-level competence and continue safe nursing practice. Upon successful completion of the SPE, registrants are considered to have met the necessary requirements for initial registration and/or licensure renewal.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an SPE you must:

• Have been in good standing (have no conditions/restrictions on your license) when you last were licensed.
• Have an employer in Saskatchewan that is willing to support you in a paid RN position performing RN roles and duties during the SPE.
• Be able to complete the required minimum 240 hours supervised practice, excluding orientation, within a 3-month period.
• Agree to sign a Voluntary Non-Practice Agreement which will come into force and effect if you are unable to successfully complete the SPE.

Upon successful completion of the SPE, you satisfy the practice hour requirement for maintaining eligibility for licensure for a period of 5 years.

If you are unable to successfully complete the SPE, you will be required to complete one of the following options to be eligible for licensure:

• Successful completion of an RN re-entry program; or,
• Completion of a competence assessment and any assigned remediation.

Supervise Practice Experience FAQs

This section is for you if you are an RN or NP in another Canadian jurisdiction and seeking a license to practice registered nursing in a declared emergency situation in Saskatchewan.

The following Registered Nurse (RN) categories will be eligible for Emergency Practicing licensure:

• Non-practicing/Retired RNs or NPs in Saskatchewan on the CRNS register who meet the hourly bylaw requirements.
• RNs or NPs from another Canadian jurisdiction.
• Graduate Nurses (GN) eligible to write the NCLEX in Saskatchewan.
• GN eligible to write the NCLEX in another jurisdiction.
• Retired and/or non-practicing RNs or NPs in Canada who meet the hourly bylaw requirement.
• Licensed in good standing.
• Meet English language requirements.

The Emergency Practicing license will be valid for 90 days with the possibility of an extension as required.

Things to Know:

• This membership is granted for 90 days, with the possibility of extension.
• There is no fee associated with this membership.

This section is for you if you are an RN or NP in another Canadian jurisdiction and intend to work as an educator in an RN or NP program approved by Council, providing theory courses in online programming or distance delivery, or developing nursing curriculum by distance.

Requirements for Membership:

• Complete an application and pay the applicable fees.
• Verification of RN or NP licensure in another Canadian province or territory.
• Maintain a license in the jurisdiction where you are currently licensed.
• Sign a Courtesy Nurse Educator Membership declaration form.

Application Process:

• Contact the CRNS at register@crns.ca.
• Proof of legal name - a clear copy of your original or certified birth certificate, current government issued photo ID and if applicable, legal name change document.
• Current Canadian Criminal Record Check (CRC) no more than 6 months old from the local police force, RCMP or CSI Background Screening.
• If your local authorities require a signed and dated letter from the CRNS, contact register@crns.ca to request this. Include your name and application number.
• Obtain a current International Criminal Records Check if you have worked as an RN outside the country in the last 10 years.
• If English is not your primary language, proof of English language proficiency is required. You can demonstrate English proficiency by:
  • Successful completion of one of the following approved tests of English within the last two years: Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) or International English Language System (IELTS) Academic Version or Occupational English Test (OET) or Pearson PTE Academic; or
  • If you have been employed in an English-speaking role (Care Aide, Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse) for at least one (1) year, complete the Consent for Employer Attestation of English Language Proficiency form and upload it into your application. The CRNS will process this form on your behalf; or
  • Provide evidence of successful completion of an approved or recognized Canadian RN re-entry program by submitting official transcripts.
• Complete and upload the Consent Form to Obtain Employment Verification Information. The CRNS will process this requirement on your behalf, if applicable.
• Complete the RN Employment/ Education form and upload to your application.
• Declare any RN practice hours for the last 5 years from all other RN regulatory bodies (Note: do not include hours worked as a Care Aide, Practical Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Grad Nurse, or Volunteer). If you do not have nursing practice hours for a given year, enter 0.
• You will need to verify your original and current/most recent RN registration and licensure.
  • Complete the Verification of Registration/Licensure form for your current or most recent registration. Send it to the regulatory body of the province or country where you have most recently registered as an RN.
  • Complete the Verification of Registration/Licensure form for your original registration. Send it to the regulatory body of the province or country where you have obtained original registration as an RN.
• You may have to submit verification(s) of registration(s) from jurisdictions where you have previously been registered if we require this information to establish a complete registration history.
• You will be provided a Courtesy Nurse Educator Membership declaration form to sign and send back to the CRNS.

Next Steps 

• Once all requirements have been received, a licensure decision will be rendered in no more than 20 business days.
• Once your application for Courtesy Educator has been approved, you will be sent an email to log into the CRNS Portal to pay for the annual RN licensure fee. Do not pay the invoice, as there is no fee associated with this membership.
• Regulations and entry requirements are subject to bylaw and policy changes.
• Verify that your license is active by checking the Nurse License Check.

Things to Know:

• This membership is valid for the registration year (December 1 to November 30) and must be renewed annually.
• The RN or NP must hold liability protection with their RN license from their home province or territory.
• If licensure in their home jurisdiction is cancelled, the Courtesy Nurse Educator membership is also cancelled.

Non-practicing membership is limited to those persons who have at one time been a practicing member and who were in good standing with the CRNS. Non-practicing members can vote, hold office at the membership level, attend the annual meeting of the college and receive the News Bulletin. Non-practicing members cannot use the title 'Registered Nurse' or practice nursing in Saskatchewan.

Application Process

• Login to the CRNS Portal.
• Follow the prompts to complete your application.

You may convert your Non-Practicing to Practicing at any time during the licensure year, if you meet the bylaw requirements.

Retired membership is limited to those members who have retired from the practice of registered nursing and who are in good standing with the CRNS. Retired members can vote, hold office at the membership level, be appointed to committees at the provincial level, attend the annual meeting of the college and receive the CRNS News Bulletin. Retired members can use one of the following designations, RN (retired), NP (retired) or nurse (retired).

Requirements for Membership:

• Be in good standing with the CRNS.

Application Process:

• Login to the CRNS Portal.
• Follow the prompts to complete your application.

You may convert from Retired to Practicing at any time during the licensure year if you meet the bylaw requirements.