How do international nurses qualify to work in Alberta?
Categories: Professions
All nurses in Alberta are registered with the College and Association of Registered Nurses in Alberta (CARNA). If you want to practice as a nurse in Alberta, you must first have a practice permit from CARNA.
Internationally Trained Nurses
CARNA has a number of requirements that internationally trained nurses must meet in order to work as a nurse in Alberta.
To qualify as a nurse in Alberta you must be able to prove the following:
- Competent English language ability.
- Successful completion of a nursing program which has official approval in your home country, state, province or territory.
- Status as a registered nurse in the country where you earned your nursing education.
- If you practiced nursing in a country other than the one you earned your education in, you must demonstrate that you practiced as a registered nurse in good standing for the last 5 years.
- Completion of at least 1,125 hours of practice as a registered nurse within the last 5 years, (not including the current year,) OR
- Completion of a nursing degree or education program that CARNA finds satisfactory.
- Evidence of your competence to practice nursing at the expected professional level in Alberta. This could be through a combination of education, experience, or other related nursing qualifications.
- You must have no health problems that could affect your ability to work as a nurse.
- You must be able to demonstrate that you are of good character through employer references.
- You must not have any outstanding criminal charges or convictions that could affect your ability to practice nursing.
- You must complete and pass the Canadian Registered Nurses Examination (CRNE). The fee for this exam is approximately $500 CAD.
How to apply
You must send CARNA the following documents, fees and forms in order for them to process your application to practice nursing in Alberta:
- Your completed CARNA application form.
- Your application fee of $212 CAD.
- Copies of these documents:
- Birth certificate, or notarized official document verifying the date of your birth.
- Photo identification (for example a copy of the biodata page of your passport.)
- If your name is different from your birth certificate, you must also include a copy of your marriage certificate or other document that proves your legal name change.
You must also arrange to have the following documents sent directly to CARNA. They should not be sent to you first.
- Proof of your nursing registration from the place you earned your nursing education.
- Proof of your nursing registration from any other jurisdictions in which you practiced as a nurse in the past 5 years.
- Transcripts from your original nursing education program.
- Transcripts of from any other place you studied nursing.
- English language test results, (where necessary) from a recognized testing body. (List of recognized English tests from CARNA.)
What happens after you apply
If CARNA can determine that you are eligible, they will decide if you are able to register (see Possible Results below.)
If they cannot determine that you are eligible, they may ask you to completed a test program called the Substantially Equivalent Competence (SEC) assessment. This assessment takes place in Calgary, Alberta and your results are sent directly to CARNA.
Possible results
CARNA may determine that you are eligible to apply for a Temporary Permit, with conditions. This application costs $190 CAD. Once you are granted a Temporary Permit, you can practice temporarily as a Graduate Nurse. Once you meet the conditions that CARNA lays out for you, you can then apply for full registration.
CARNA may ask that you meet some additional requirements before they issue your registration. For example, they may ask you to demonstrate or improve your English language skills. Once this is complete, you can apply for a Temporary Permit above.
CARNA may reject your application of you do not meet the requirements.
How long does it take?
CARNA does not state a processing time, as it assesses each application individually. They time can vary greatly between one an application and another.
Where can I find more information?
You can contact CARNA directly by visiting their website: http://www.nurses.ab.ca
You can find more information about qualifying as an international nurse in Alberta here: Registration Requirements for Nurses Educated Outside of Canada (PDF).
CARNA’s toll-free phone number is 1-888-252-9392
12 Responses on “How do international nurses qualify to work in Alberta?”
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Im An international applicant from Nigeria,and i have been working for over two years and also a registered nurse in my country .I want to ask about english language proficiency,because I was taught English language for 16 years and presently using it to communicate in my place of work do i still need to provide toefl result?I sat for West Africa examination in year 2000 and had credit pass in english language and other courses.I need your quick response.Thanks for your assistance.
I had finished nursing from india and imy ielts score is over all 6.5 and 6 in speaking am i eligible for applying for registration.Iam a bsc nurse with 3,5 yrs of experience,
Hello both,
The current CARNA website is not entirely clear on this issue. To find out if you qualify, it is best to speak to CARNA directly. You can contact CARNA within Canada toll free on 1-800-252-9392. If you are outside Canada, the toll-free number will not work, and you should call on +1-780-451-0043.
Here is the full CARNA contact page.
i have complected Bsc nursing in india. i have 1440 hours of experience. i got over all band score 6.5 in ielts. . in speaking and listening i have 7. . . reading 6.5 and writing 6. . . i am intrested to work in canada. . please guide me..
Hi, your procedures are complicated. Why is it a must that one must past the English Language test before proceding to write the CRNE.
It would have been left on individuals to decide if they think they have enough English skills to go and write the exam.
If the examiners find that the English is not correct then they will simply fail the candidate.
So i dont see how is a problem for the board to say that one must pass English test.
I am currently working as a registered nurse in Botswana in Africa and would like to come to Canada /Alberta and work as a nurse.I have an overrall band score of 6.5 in ielts and it has expired and i have done English language ever since i started school for fifteen years and i work in a largest referral hospital in Botswana and the media of communication here is English and i have worked for Eight years now.I am i still required to sit for another English exam.
Hello Gibbs and Pudulogo. It would be best to direct your specific questions and comments directly to CARNA. You can call CARNA on +1 780 451 0043, or from the contact information above. They will be able to advise you on your specific cases.
I am a US Citizen and had an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing
on March 2006. I don’t have a License yet at present and I am really interested to live and work in Alberta, Canada.
Do I qualify to apply to take the Nursing Licensure in Canada?
Thank you.
I have a question regarding one of the requirements of internationally educated nurses:
* Completion of at least 1,125 hours of practice as a registered nurse within the last 5 years, (not including the current year,) OR
* Completion of a nursing degree or education program that CARNA finds satisfactory.
Does this rule mean I am only required to have at least one of these?
So if I have completed a nursing degree that CARNA finds satisfactory, I am not required to have at least 1,125 hours of practice as a registered nurse in my country of origin?
Also, will they accept applications for assessment even if the applicant is not a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident?
Please Advise.
Thank you in advance.
Hi! I have an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing
from the United States. I have an active license to practice. I graudated 3 years ago but don’t have any official nursing experience. Will this prevent me from getting approval from to take the exam and subsequently nursing registration in Alberta?
Any advice on this matter would be very helpful. Thank you.
I am a British Registered General Nurse with 10 years post reg experience I have been informed that as I have a diploma rather than a degree my job opportunities are limited and British Columbia is the only state that is an option for me is this true?
hi,i have completed my nursing from india and work experience of one year with ielts score of 6.shall i have work in canada.