To work as an RN in New Brunswick you register with the College of Nursing of New Brunswick (CNNB, formerly the Nurses Association of New Brunswick, NANB). You create a profile, submit the new graduate application, finish the jurisprudence module, and CNNB emails you when you may register with Pearson VUE; the ATT follows in two to three business days. A Temporary Registration Permit lets you work as a graduate nurse for six-month periods, up to 24 months. Internationally educated nurses follow one of five country 'zones'.
✓ Checked against CNNB's official pages on October 7, 2026
At a glance
RegulatorCollege of Nursing of New Brunswick (CNNB), formerly NANB; bilingual (OPINB in French)
ExamNCLEX-RN, through Pearson VUE (OIIQ exam accepted for Québec graduates)
Application feeCA$100 + tax (new graduate or Canadian RN), CA$500 + tax (internationally educated), non-refundable
Registration feeCA$375 + tax for Dec 1 to Nov 30; CA$225 + tax from June 1
Graduate nurse permitTemporary Registration Permit CA$100 + tax, six months, renewable (CA$50 + tax) up to 24 months
The steps, in order (graduates of a New Brunswick program)
Tick each step as you finish it; your progress is saved on this device.
8 steps
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.
8 steps
Documents to have ready
Valid Canadian government ID as proof of legal name (and marriage or name-change certificate if applicable)
Enhanced criminal record check sent by CSI Screening to reg-imm@cnnb-opinb.ca, valid six months
Confirmation of Nursing Education form sent by your school (and the official transcript for full registration)
Jurisprudence module completion (before a Temporary Registration Permit)
CNPS professional liability protection
Verification of Registration from any other regulator you applied to (including Québec)
Internationally educated: NNAS advisory report, language test results, Currency of Practice affidavit, verification of registration and good standing from your first and most recent regulators
Fees
New graduate / Canadian RN application processingnon-refundable
CA$100 + tax
Internationally educated applicant processingnon-refundable; invoiced after you submit
CA$500 + tax
NCLEX-RN exam fee (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. CA$570 + tax from Feb 1, 2027.
CA$360 + tax
International scheduling feeonly if you write the exam outside Canada
CA$150
Temporary Registration Permitsix months; renewal CA$50 + tax; reinstating a lapsed TRP CA$100 + tax
CA$100 + tax
RN registration, Dec 1 to Nov 30CA$225 + tax from June 1 to Nov 30; late or lapsed adds CA$100 + tax; 25% less for interjurisdictional licence holders
CA$375 + tax
NNAS, language test, Inspire assessment, NBCC/CCNB coursespaid to each organization; provincial funding may cover part (IEN Navigation Service)
varies
How long it takes
Pearson VUE sends the ATT within 2 to 3 business days of CNNB confirming eligibility; the ATT is valid 90 days.
Results are emailed within 1 to 5 business days.
Retake every 45 days; three years from the registrar's eligibility date to pass.
TRP: six-month periods, up to 24 months from eligibility; apply within 12 months of finishing your program.
Criminal record checks expire six months after issue.
Registration year December 1 to November 30; a half-year rate applies from June 1.
Mistakes that cost people time or money
Do not create a Pearson VUE account before CNNB's email; CNNB has to tell Pearson VUE you are eligible, and an early registration cannot be matched.
Finish the Jurisprudence module early: it gates the Temporary Registration Permit, not just full registration.
If you studied in Québec, CNNB will not let you write the NCLEX-RN until you have exhausted the OIIQ exam; plan which province you want first.
Internationally educated: register with the IEN Navigation Service before paying anything. The provincial funding can cover CNNB and course fees.
Questions people ask about New Brunswick
How do I register for the NCLEX in New Brunswick?
Create a profile with the College of Nursing of New Brunswick (CNNB), submit the New Graduate application (CA$100 + tax), send an enhanced criminal record check through CSI Screening, complete the Jurisprudence module and have your school email the Confirmation of Nursing Education form. CNNB then emails you that you are eligible; only then register with Pearson VUE and pay CA$360 + tax. The Authorization to Test arrives within two to three business days.
How much does it cost to become an RN in New Brunswick?
CA$100 + tax application, CA$360 + tax for the NCLEX-RN, optionally CA$100 + tax for a Temporary Registration Permit (CA$50 + tax per renewal) and CA$375 + tax for a year of registration (CA$225 + tax from June 1), plus CNPS liability protection. Internationally educated nurses pay CA$500 + tax to CNNB plus NNAS, language-test and course costs.
Can I work in New Brunswick before I pass the NCLEX-RN?
Yes, on a Temporary Registration Permit once your exam is scheduled within the next six months, you have finished the Jurisprudence module and you hold CNPS protection. It is issued for six months and renewed only if you wrote the NCLEX-RN in the previous six months and are booked again, up to 24 months from eligibility.
Is NANB the same as CNNB?
Yes. The Nurses Association of New Brunswick (NANB) is now the College of Nursing of New Brunswick (CNNB); in French, the Ordre professionnel des infirmières et infirmiers du Nouveau-Brunswick (OPINB). The website is cnnb-opinb.ca and the registrant portal is still nanb.alinityapp.com.
Which language tests does CNNB accept?
English: IELTS Academic (speaking 7.0, listening 7.0, reading 6.5, writing 6.5, overall 7.0), CELBAN (speaking 8, listening 9, reading 8, writing 7), OET (speaking B, listening B, reading C+, writing C+) and PTE Academic (speaking 75, listening 73, reading 66, writing 68). French: TEF (speaking 5, listening 4, reading 4, writing 4) and TCF (speaking 10, listening 458, reading 453, writing 10). Minimums may be met across two sittings of the same test within six months; results are valid for two years.
How many times can I write the NCLEX-RN through CNNB?
Every 45 days, with no fixed cap, but you must pass within three years of the date the CNNB registrar marked you eligible. The Temporary Registration Permit is renewed only if you wrote at least once in the previous six months.
Official links and sources
Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on CNNB'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 Nursing of New Brunswick.
While your application is processed, start studying
10 free NCLEX questions in your account, a case study, a video and a cheat sheet. Then 3,200+ questions, the video course and unlimited adaptive readiness exams on one payment.