Becoming a nurse in British Columbia
The second REx-PN jurisdiction. BCCNM regulates registered, practical, psychiatric nurses and midwives under one body.
Registered Nurse (RN)
NCLEX-RN
- Regulator
- BCCNM
- Format
- Adaptive
- Length
- 85–150 items · 5 h
- Next Gen formats
- Yes
British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives
NCLEX-RN prepLicensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
REx-PN
- Regulator
- BCCNM
- Format
- Adaptive
- Length
- 90–150 items · 4 h
- Next Gen formats
- Yes
British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives
REx-PN prepInternationally educated nurses
British Columbia assesses through NNAS
Your file begins with the National Nursing Assessment Service, which collects transcripts, licences and references from source institutions and issues an advisory report. Nothing moves until every document arrives, and documents arriving from overseas institutions are the single largest source of delay in the whole process. Start requesting them the week you decide.
The full sequence
- 1
Choose your designation and province
DaysRN or RPN/LPN, and where you intend to register. This one decision determines which exam you write and which regulator holds your file.
- 2
Credential assessment
4 to 8 monthsMost provinces route international applicants through the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS), which collects documents and issues an advisory report. Ontario assesses directly.
- 3
Language proficiency
1 to 3 monthsCELBAN is the nursing-specific option and is generally the easier route. IELTS Academic and CELPIP are also accepted, with scores set by each regulator.
- 4
Apply to the provincial regulator
2 to 6 monthsSubmit the assessment report, identification, references and jurisprudence requirements to the college in your province.
- 5
Receive Authorization to Test
2 to 6 weeksOnce the regulator confirms eligibility, you register with the exam vendor and receive an Authorization to Test with a scheduling window.
- 6
Write the exam
One dayNCLEX-RN and REx-PN are adaptive and end when the engine is confident about your result. CPNRE is a fixed 165-item paper.
- 7
Register and begin practice
2 to 6 weeksThe regulator issues your registration number. Some provinces allow provisional or conditional practice while the final steps complete.
Registering somewhere else?
Requirements, fees and processing times change. Always confirm current requirements directly with British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives before making decisions or payments. BeNurse is not affiliated with any regulator.