Registrants in independent practice are self-employed and provide professional nursing services in a variety of ways: as an individual, in association with other self-employed health professionals and/or as an employer of other health professionals.

Given the nature of the work/services provided, independent practice has the potential for increased risk to the public. The CRNS has introduced a bylaw requirement whereby registrants who operate in an independent practice must register the practice with the CRNS.

Criteria for Registering Your Independent Practice with the CRNS

You need to register your independent practice with the CRNS if you answer ‘yes’ to one or more of the following:

• Are you using your RN or NP designation in your independent practice?
• Do you own the business or practice you are claiming RN or NP practice hours from?
• Are you financially invested in the business you are claiming RN or NP practice hours from?
• Do you profit from the business and/or are you at risk of personal financial loss?
• Do you substantially control the business activities?
• Do you hire your own employees?
• Do you submit invoices for services you provide?
• Are you the custodian or trustee of client health information and/or health records?

Independent Practice Registration

• Be in good standing with the CRNS;
• Review and understand the CRNS Self-Employed Practice Guidelines;
• Complete the Confirming Nursing Practice Process if your independent practice provides new/evolving treatments/procedures or if you are unsure if it falls within your scope of practice; and,
• Meet the legal and legislative requirements for operating an independent practice (business). This includes but is not limited to: business license(s), insurance, liability protection, privacy and records retention.

CRNS Independent Practice registration is valid for the licensure year (December 1 – November 30) and must be renewed annually. There is no fee to register.

Failure to register your practice may be considered professional misconduct. See   Bylaw XII, Section 6.

Initial Registration of  Your Independent Practice

To register your independent practice:

• Login to the CRNS Portal.
• Follow the two-step registration process.
  • Click ‘Add independ. practice’ on the left side of the screen,
  • Input your business name and address then save.
  • On the dashboard of your CRNS portal, choose ‘Apply’ for the Independent Practice Register and complete the form.
  • Once submitted, monitor your emails for communication from the CRNS.

Before providing any care or services, the CRNS must approve your Independent Practice Registration.

Insurance

In addition to core CNPS professional liability protection, a registrant engaging in independent practice must provide proof of additional insurance coverage in an amount not less than $2 million per incident and $2 million per year against general liability. You must maintain uninterrupted coverage at all times.