Registered Nurses Profession Regulation

(Consolidated up to 205/2025) ALBERTA REGULATION 232/2005 Health Professions Act REGISTERED NURSES PROFESSION REGULATION Table of Contents 1 Definitions 2 Register categories Registration 3 Registered nurse register — new applicants 4 Nurse practitioner register — new applicants 5 Certified graduate nurse register 6 Provisional registration 7 Courtesy registration 8 Equivalent jurisdiction 9 Substantial equivalence 10 Registration exam 10.1 Currency of practice Titles and Abbreviations 14 Authorization to use titles, etc. Practice Permit Renewal Requirements 21 Renewal requirements Transitional Provisions, Repeals and Coming into Force 36 Transitional 36.1 Transitional — provisional register 37 Repeals 38 Coming into force Definitions 1 In this Regulation, (a) “approved nursing program” means a nursing education program in Alberta approved by the Nursing Education Program Approval Committee in accordance with nursing education standards and criteria approved by the Council; (a.1) “approved nurse practitioner program” means a nurse practitioner education program in Alberta approved by the Nursing Education Program Approval Committee in accordance with nursing education standards and criteria approved by the Council; (a.2) “Bylaws” means the bylaws made by the Council under section 132 of the Act; (b) “certified graduate nurse register” means the certified graduate nurse register category of the regulated members register; (c) “College” means the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta; (d), (e) repealed AR 50/2023 s2; (f) “Council” means the council of the College; (g) “courtesy register” means the courtesy register category of the regulated members register; (h) repealed AR 50/2023 s2; (i) repealed AR 201/2018 s2; (j) “nurse practitioner register” means the nurse practitioner register category of the regulated members register; (k) “Nursing Education Program Approval Committee” means the Nursing Education Program Approval Committee continued pursuant to the Bylaws; (k.1) “practice year” means a practice year as defined in the Bylaws; (k.2) “provisional register” means the provisional register category of the regulated members register; (l) “registered nurse register” means the registered nurse register category of the regulated members register; (m) “Registrar” means the registrar of the College; (n) “Registration Committee” means the registration committee of the College; (o) “registration exam” means a registration examination approved by the Council; (p) repealed AR 50/2023 s2; (p.1) “Standards of Practice” means the standards of practice adopted by the Council in accordance with the Bylaws and section 133 of the Act. (q) repealed AR 201/2018 s2. AR 232/2005 s1;201/2018;205/2025 Register categories 2 The regulated members register established by the Council under section 33(1)(a) of the Act has the following categories: (a) registered nurse register; (b) nurse practitioner register; (c) certified graduate nurse register; (d) provisional register; (e) courtesy register. AR 232/2005 s2; 201/2018 Registration Registered nurse register — new applicants 3 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the registered nurse register who has not previously been registered on the registered nurse register must (a) have successfully completed as an education requirement either (i) on and before December 31, 2009, a diploma or baccalaureate degree in nursing from an approved nursing program, or (ii) on and after January 1, 2010, a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an approved nursing program, (b) have passed the applicable registration exam, and (c) have successfully completed the applicable jurisprudence requirement approved by the Council, if any. (2) An applicant for registration under subsection (1) must complete the registration process within the 5 years immediately following the date of completion of the applicable education requirement referred to in subsection (1)(a). (3) Despite subsection (2), an applicant who meets the requirements of subsection (1) but does not meet the requirements of subsection (2) may be registered as a regulated member on the registered nurse register if the applicant has met any additional requirements imposed by the Registration Committee. AR 232/2005 s3;201/2018 Nurse practitioner register — new applicants 4 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the nurse practitioner register who has not previously been registered on the nurse practitioner register must (a) have successfully completed (i) a master’s degree in nursing from an approved nurse practitioner program, or (ii) a post‑master’s certificate or diploma from an approved nurse practitioner program, (b) have completed 4500 hours of registered nursing practice satisfactory to the Registration Committee, (c) be registered on the registered nurse register, (d) have passed the applicable registration exam, and (e) have successfully completed the applicable jurisprudence requirement approved by the Council, if any. (2) An applicant for registration under subsection (1) must, after completing a degree, certificate or diploma referred to in subsection (1)(a), complete the registration process within the time period set by the Council. (3) Despite subsection (2), an applicant who meets the requirements of subsection (1) but does not meet the requirements of subsection (2) may be registered as a regulated member on the nurse practitioner register if the applicant has met any additional requirements imposed by the Registration Committee. AR 232/2005 s4;201/2018 Certified graduate nurse register 5 An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the certified graduate nurse register who is not currently registered on the certified graduate nurse register must (a) have previously been registered on the certified graduate nurse register, or (b) be eligible to be registered on the certified graduate nurse register under section 8. AR 232/2005 s5;201/2018 Provisional registration 6 (1) An applicant who has applied for registration as a regulated member on the registered nurse register or the nurse practitioner register who has not successfully completed the applicable registration exam or the jurisprudence requirement but has otherwise fulfilled the registration requirements set out in section 3, 4, 8 or 9 may, at the discretion of the Registrar, be registered on the provisional register until the applicant meets the requirements for registration. (2) A regulated member registered on the provisional register may only practise (a) in accordance with conditions specified by the Registrar or Registration Committee, and (b) while being supervised in accordance with the Standards of Practice. (3) The registration of a regulated member on the provisional register is valid for 6 months or a shorter period specified by the Registrar. (4) The registration of a regulated member on the provisional register may be renewed, but, except as provided by subsections (7) and (8), a regulated member may not be registered on the provisional register for more than a total period of 12 months. (5) If a regulated member registered on the provisional register fails the applicable registration exam once, the Registrar or Registration Committee may specify additional conditions under subsection (2)(a). (6) If a regulated member registered on the provisional register fails the applicable registration exam twice, the Registrar shall cancel the regulated member’s registration on the provisional register. (7) If a regulated member registered on the provisional register satisfies the Registration Committee that there are extenuating circumstances that prevent the regulated member from successfully completing the applicable registration exam or jurisprudence requirement within 12 months after being registered on the provisional register, the Registration Committee may direct the Registrar to renew the registration of the regulated member on the provisional register, but the regulated member may not be registered on the provisional register for more than a total period of 18 months. (8) In the case of the registration of a regulated member as a graduate nurse practitioner, the registration of the regulated member may be renewed so that the regulated member is registered on the provisional register for more than one year but not more than 2 years, if, in the opinion of the Registrar, it is necessary to renew the registration because the registration exam the regulated member is required to pass for the purposes of section 4(1)(d) may not be offered, or may not be offered in time for the results of the exam to be available, during the first year the regulated member is registered on the provisional register. (9) If a regulated member registered on the provisional register meets the requirements for registration on the registered nurse register or the nurse practitioner register, the Registrar must remove the regulated member’s name from the provisional register and enter it on the appropriate category of the regulated members register. AR 232/2005 s6;201/2018 Courtesy registration 7 (1) A person is eligible for registration on the courtesy register if (a) the person is registered and in good standing as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner or equivalent in another jurisdiction recognized by the Council as having substantially equivalent competencies and practice requirements as those of a registered nurse or nurse practitioner, (b) the person requires registration in Alberta on a temporary basis for a specified purpose approved by the Registrar, and (c) the person satisfies the Registrar that the person has the competence to provide the services related to the specified purpose. (2) The registration of a person registered on the courtesy register is valid for the term specified by the Registrar, which must not exceed one year. (3) On registering a person on the courtesy register, the Registrar shall set out on the courtesy register the title and initials referred to in section 14 that the person is authorized to use. AR 232/2005 s7;201/2018 Equivalent jurisdiction 8 An applicant for registration on the registered nurse register, the certified graduate nurse register or the nurse practitioner register is eligible to be registered on the registered nurse register, the certified graduate nurse register or the nurse practitioner register, respectively, if the applicant (a) is currently registered in good standing in another jurisdiction recognized by the Council under section 28(2)(b) of the Act as having substantially equivalent competence and practice requirements, (b) meets the requirements of section 10.1, and (c) successfully completes the applicable jurisprudence requirement approved by the Council, if any. AR 232/2005 s8;201/2018 Substantial equivalence 9 (1) An applicant who does not meet the requirements of section 3 or 4 but who the Registrar is satisfied under section 28(2)(c) of the Act has a combination of education, experience, practice or other qualifications that demonstrate the competence required for registration as a regulated member may be registered on the appropriate register if the applicant (a) passes the applicable registration exam within the time specified by the Registrar, (b) meets the requirements of section 10.1, and (c) has successfully completed the applicable jurisprudence requirement approved by the Council, if any. (2) In determining whether or not an applicant’s qualifications are substantially equivalent under subsection (1), the Registrar may require the applicant to undergo examinations, testing and assessment activities to assist with the determination. (3) The Registrar may direct the applicant to undergo any education or training activities the Registrar may consider necessary in order for the applicant to be registered. (4) The Registrar may require an applicant referred to in subsection (1) to provide any information or evidence the Registrar or Registration Committee considers necessary to assess the applicant’s application. (5) Despite subsection (1)(a), the Registration Committee may waive the requirement to have passed the applicable registration exam if there are extenuating circumstances and the Registration Committee is of the opinion that the applicant has sufficient registered nursing experience, knowledge and competence. AR 232/2005 s9;201/2018 Registration exam 10 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the registered nurse register must pass the applicable registration exam within 2 years after completion of the educational requirement referred to in section 3(1)(a)(i) or (ii). (2) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the nurse practitioner register must pass the applicable registration exam within 3 years after completion of the educational program referred to in section 4(1)(a)(i) or (ii). (3) If an applicant for registration as a regulated member on the registered nurse register does not pass the applicable registration exam within 2 years after completion of the educational requirement referred to in section 3(1)(a)(i) or (ii), the applicant must, before writing or rewriting the applicable registration exam, as the case may be, successfully complete (a) an approved nursing program leading to initial entry to practise as a registered nurse, (b) a nursing education program in a province or territory of Canada other than Alberta that is approved or recognized by the regulatory body in that province or territory having authority to approve or recognize nursing education programs leading to initial entry to practise as a registered nurse, or (c) additional educational requirements or other requirements determined by the Registrar or the Registration Committee. (4) If an applicant for registration as a regulated member on the nurse practitioner register does not pass the applicable registration exam within 3 years after completion of the educational requirement referred to in section 4(1)(a)(i) or (ii), the applicant must, before rewriting the applicable registration exam, successfully complete (a) a master’s degree in nursing from an approved nurse practitioner program, (b) a post‑master’s certificate or diploma from an approved nurse practitioner program, (c) a nurse practitioner education program in a province or territory of Canada other than Alberta that is approved or recognized by the regulatory body in that province or territory having authority to approve or recognize nurse practitioner education programs leading to initial entry to practise as a nurse practitioner, or (d) additional educational requirements or other requirements determined by the Registrar or the Registration Committee. (5) Despite anything in this section, if an applicant for registration on the registered nurse register or nurse practitioner register satisfies the Registration Committee that there are extenuating circumstances, the Registration Committee may allow the applicant one or more attempts to pass the applicable registration exam after the applicable period referred to in subsection (1) or (2). AR 232/2005 s10;201/2018 Currency of practice 10.1 (1) This section applies to the following applicants: (a) an applicant for registration as a regulated member on the registered nurse register, the certified graduate nurse register or the nurse practitioner register who was previously registered on the registered nurse register, the certified graduate nurse register or the nurse practitioner register but is not currently registered on the register; (b) an applicant for registration under section 8 or 9; (c) an applicant for a renewal of a practice permit as a registered nurse, certified graduate nurse or nurse practitioner. (2) An applicant who is applying for registration as a regulated member on the registered nurse register or the certified graduate nurse register, or for the renewal of a practice permit as a registered nurse or certified graduate nurse, must provide evidence satisfactory to the Registrar that the applicant has, within the 5 complete practice years immediately preceding the date the application is received by the Registrar, (a) successfully completed a degree or nursing program or course satisfactory to the Registrar, (b) had 1125 hours of nursing practice satisfactory to the Registrar, or (c) successfully completed a program leading to re‑entry to nursing practice approved by the Nursing Education Program Approval Committee. (3) An applicant who is applying for registration as a regulated member on the nurse practitioner register, or for the renewal of a practice permit as a nurse practitioner, must provide evidence satisfactory to the Registrar that the applicant has, within the number of complete practice years as specified by the Council immediately preceding the date the application is received by the Registrar, (a) successfully completed the educational requirement referred to in section 4(1)(a)(i) or (ii), or (b) had the number of hours established by the Council as the required number of hours for the purposes of this section of nurse practitioner practice satisfactory to the Registrar. (4) Despite subsections (2) and (3), an applicant who does not meet the requirements of subsection (2) or (3) may instead meet other requirements determined by the Registration Committee. AR 201/2018 s11 11 to 13 Repealed AR 50/2023 s3. Titles and Abbreviations Authorization to use titles, etc. 14 (1) A regulated member registered on the registered nurse register may use the title “registered nurse” and the initials “RN”. (2) A regulated member registered on the certified graduate nurse register may use the title “certified graduate nurse” and the initials “CGN”. (3) Repealed AR 201/2018 s15. (4) A regulated member registered on the nurse practitioner register may use the title “nurse practitioner” and the initials “NP”. (5) A regulated member registered on the registered nurse register or on the nurse practitioner register may, in accordance with the Standards of Practice, use the title “specialist” in connection with providing professional services. (6) A regulated member registered on the provisional register as a graduate nurse may use the title “graduate nurse” and the initials “GN”. (7) A regulated member registered on the provisional register as a graduate nurse practitioner may use the title “graduate nurse practitioner” and the initials “GNP”. (8) A regulated member registered on the courtesy register as a registered nurse may use the title “registered nurse” and the initials “RN”. (9) A regulated member registered on the courtesy register as a nurse practitioner may use the title “nurse practitioner” and the initials “NP”. AR 232/2005 s14;201/2018 14.1 and 15 Repealed AR 50/2023 s4 16 Repealed AR 201/2018 s18. 17 and 17.1 Repealed AR 50/2023 s4 Non‑regulated persons, supervision 18 (1) Repealed AR 50/2023 s4 (2) Repealed AR 201/2018 s21. AR 232/2005 s18;201/2018 19 to 19.6 Repealed AR 50/2023 s5 20 Repealed AR 201/2018 s23. Practice Permit Renewal Requirements Renewal requirements 21 In addition to meeting the requirements established under section 40 of the Act, a regulated member applying for renewal of the member’s practice permit must provide evidence satisfactory to the Registrar or Registration Committee of at least one of the following: (a) meeting the applicable requirements under section 10.1; (b) meeting other requirements determined by the Registrar or Registration Committee. AR 232/2005 s21;201/2018;50/2023 22 Repealed AR 50/2023 s8. 23 to 26 Repealed AR 50/2023 s8. 27 to 32 Repealed AR 50/2023 s10. 33 to 35 Repealed AR 50/2023 s11. Transitional Provisions, Repeals and Coming into Force Transitional 36 On the coming into force of this Regulation, a registered member described in section 6 of Schedule 24 to the Act is deemed to be entered on the regulated members register in the register category that the Registrar considers appropriate. Transitional — provisional register 36.1 On the coming into force of this section, a regulated member registered on the temporary register is deemed to be registered on the provisional register as the Registrar considers appropriate. AR 201/2018 s32 Repeals 37 The following regulations are repealed: (a) Registration Regulation (AR 453/83); (b) General Regulation (AR 454/83); (c) Certified Graduate Nurse Regulation (AR 455/83); (d) Code of Ethics Regulation (AR 456/83); (e) Regulation and By‑law Approval Regulation (AR 355/83); (f) Nursing Profession Extended Practice Roster Regulation (AR 16/99). Coming into force 38 This Regulation comes into force on the coming into force of Schedule 24 to the Health Professions Act .