How to Register for the NCLEX in Alberta (CRNA): Steps, Fees, Documents

To work as an RN in Alberta you need a permit from the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA). You create a College Connect account, confirm your competency (the NCLEX-RN), meet the eligibility requirements, finish the Alberta jurisprudence courses and pay the permit fee. Anyone who already passed the NCLEX-RN does not write it again.

At a glance

RegulatorCollege of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)

ExamNCLEX-RN, through Pearson VUE; a previous pass is accepted

Account creation feeCA$236.25 once, incl. GST (2025-26)

Permit feeCA$504 for a full year, incl. GST (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026), prorated later in the year

Exam feeCA$360 + taxes, paid to Pearson VUE

Also requiredAlberta Jurisprudence + Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct courses, criminal record check, liability protection

The steps, in order (graduates of a Alberta program)

7 steps

Create your College Connect accountValidate your identity with government-issued ID, build your profile and pay the one-time account creation fee (CA$236.25 including GST). This fee is not refundable.CRNA: Nursing in Alberta →
Have your program confirmedYour school confirms completion of an approved program and sends your transcript. CRNA then deems you exam-eligible; the two-year window to pass the NCLEX-RN starts on your program completion date.University graduate applicants: Registered Nurses →
Receive your Authorization to Test and register with Pearson VUECRNA grants the ATT; then you register and pay the NCLEX-RN fee with Pearson VUE (CA$360 plus taxes). Book inside the ATT's validity dates.CRNA: Registration exams →
Consider a provisional permit while you waitEligible Canadian graduates may hold a provisional permit and work under conditions while waiting to write or for the result.
Write the NCLEX-RN and send CRNA your candidate reportCRNA does not limit attempts inside the two-year window; Pearson VUE applies its own 45-day wait. After you pass, upload your NCSBN candidate report to CRNA.What to bring on exam day →
Complete the two required coursesFinish the Alberta Jurisprudence course and the Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct course, and arrange professional liability protection.CRNA: Required courses →
Criminal record check, declarations, and pay the permit feeComplete the online criminal record check, answer the good character and fitness to practise questions, declare the information is accurate and pay the permit fee (CA$504 for a full year, prorated if you register late in the year). CRNA issues your permit.CRNA: Fees 2025-2026 →

If you were educated outside Canada

The exam is the same; the path to being allowed to write it is longer. These are the extra steps.

6 steps

Step 1: Create your accountValidate your identity with government-issued ID, build your profile in College Connect and pay the account creation fee (CA$236.25). If you are unsure which pathway fits you, request a consultation with a CRNA registrant navigator first.Five Steps to a Permit →
Step 2: Confirm your competencyChoose a pathway: a previous NCLEX-RN pass, or passing the NCLEX-RN combined with an NNAS advisory report or an approved education credential assessment, or CRNA's substantial equivalence assessment. CRNA says its review takes up to two business days once it has the information.Options for confirming competency →
Step 3: Demonstrate your eligibilityShow currency of practice, English proficiency, post-secondary education, a criminal record check completed online, and answer the good character and fitness to practise questions.CRNA: Registration requirements →
English: CELBAN or IELTS Academic onlyCRNA accepts only CELBAN (listening 9, writing 7, reading 8, speaking 8) and IELTS Academic (listening 7.0, writing 6.5, reading 6.5, speaking 7.0, overall 7.0), taken within two years. Passing the NCLEX-RN does not count as English proof. Two years of full-time nursing education in English in Canada meets it instead.CRNA: English language proficiency →
Step 4: Prepare for practice in AlbertaComplete the Alberta Jurisprudence and Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct courses and buy professional liability protection.CRNA: Required courses →
Step 5: Pay and declareConfirm everything is accurate, submit, and pay the permit fee (CA$504 for a full year, prorated later in the year). CRNA issues your permit.CRNA: Fees 2025-2026 →

Documents to have ready

Fees

How long it takes

Mistakes that cost people time or money

Already passed the NCLEX-RN elsewhere? Say so: CRNA accepts a previous pass and you do not write again.
Do the two required courses and the criminal record check while you wait for the exam date; they are the usual last-minute delay.
If you are unsure which international pathway fits, book the free navigator consultation before paying for assessments you may not need.
Registering late in the permit year? The permit fee is prorated, so check the table before you pay.

Questions people ask about Alberta

How do I register for the NCLEX in Alberta?

Create a College Connect account with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) and pay the CA$236.25 account fee. Once your education is confirmed, CRNA grants you an Authorization to Test; then you register and pay with Pearson VUE (CA$360 plus taxes) and book a date inside the ATT window. After you pass, upload your NCSBN candidate report to CRNA.

How much does it cost to become an RN in Alberta?

CA$236.25 to create the account, CA$360 plus taxes for the NCLEX-RN, and CA$504 for a full-year permit (October 2025 to September 2026, prorated later in the year), plus the two required courses, liability protection and, for internationally educated nurses, credential assessment and an English test.

I already passed the NCLEX-RN in another province or in the US. Do I write it again for Alberta?

No. CRNA accepts a previous NCLEX-RN pass as confirmation of competency. Provide your NCSBN candidate report.

Which English tests does CRNA accept?

Only CELBAN (listening 9, writing 7, reading 8, speaking 8) and IELTS Academic (overall 7.0; listening 7.0, writing 6.5, reading 6.5, speaking 7.0), within two years of the test date. The NCLEX-RN itself is not accepted as proof of English. At least two years of full-time nursing education in English in Canada meets the requirement.

How long do I have to pass the NCLEX-RN for CRNA?

Two years from your program completion date (Canadian graduates) or from the date CRNA deems you exam-eligible (international applicants). CRNA does not cap attempts inside that window; Pearson VUE requires 45 days between attempts.

What are the Alberta jurisprudence requirements?

Every applicant completes the Alberta Jurisprudence course and the Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct course before the permit is issued, and arranges professional liability protection.

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on CRNA's and NCSBN's own pages on October 7, 2026; when a detail matters to you, confirm it there:

This guide explains the process; it is not legal or immigration advice. Decisions about your eligibility are made by College of Registered Nurses of Alberta.

Account creation (one time)includes GST; non-refundable	CA$236.25
Permit, full year (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026)includes GST; prorated from May 1 (CA$302.40) down to Sep 1 (CA$100.80)	CA$504.00
NCLEX-RN exam fee (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. CA$570 from Feb 1, 2027.	CA$360 + taxes
International scheduling feeonly if you write the exam outside Canada	CA$150
NNAS or credential assessment, English test, coursespaid to each organization	varies

How to register for the NCLEX in Alberta