How to Register for the NCLEX in Newfoundland and Labrador (NLCN): Steps, Fees, Documents

To work as an RN in Newfoundland and Labrador you license with the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses (NL College of Nurses, formed April 15, 2026 from CRNNL and the LPN college). You apply as an Exam Candidate (CA$172.50), register with NCSBN at the same time, and the College grants exam eligibility within three business days of a complete file. A four-month temporary licence (CA$156.40 + CNPS) lets you start work before the exam.

At a glance

The steps, in order (graduates of a Newfoundland and Labrador program)

8 steps

Create a Nurse Portal account and apply as an Exam CandidatePay the CA$172.50 application fee (includes HST, not refundable). Spring graduates have an application deadline, March 8, 2027 for the 2027 class, so apply in your final term.NLCN: new graduate RN →
Upload two pieces of government IDOne with a photo: passport, driver's licence, birth certificate, permanent resident card, citizenship or immigration card, plus a name-change document or marriage certificate if needed. Graduates of programs outside the province have the official transcript sent directly by the university.
Submit an enhanced criminal record check under six months oldRequest it in your application name and every former surname, dated within six months of the date your licence is issued. CSI Screening's Enhanced Canadian Criminal Record Check is delivered electronically in 24 to 48 hours; police or RCMP originals go by mail or drop-off (no fax or email).NLCN: criminal record check →
Register and pay NCSBN at the same timeWhen you submit the College application, also register and pay the NCLEX-RN fee (CA$360 + HST) at nclex.com. The College says you must do both.NCSBN: NCLEX registration →
Decision in three business days, then the ATTOnce the College has your criminal record check and confirmation of program completion, it decides within three business days and grants exam eligibility on the NCSBN site. Pearson VUE then emails your Authorization to Test.NLCN: NCLEX-RN →
Optional: four-month temporary licence to start workApply through the Nurse Portal after your Exam Candidate application is approved (the approval email explains how): CA$156.40 licence fee plus CA$78.20 CNPS liability protection. You need the temporary licence before any work, including orientation. Your name then appears on Search for a Nurse.Search for a Nurse →
Write the NCLEX-RNPermanent centre: 235 Water Street, St. John's; a temporary centre runs in Corner Brook in early June. Ask the College early for accommodations (registration@nlcn.ca). Pearson VUE requires 45 days between attempts.What to bring on exam day →
Pass, then pay for the practising licenceCA$412.47 for the annual licence (includes HST, not liability protection) plus CA$78.20 to CNPS. No jurisprudence exam is required at present; the free modules are encouraged. Practising without a valid licence costs CA$100 a day, up to CA$1,000.NLCN: fees 2026-27 →

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.

7 steps

Get an Educational Credential Assessment sent to the CollegeFrom WES, CES (University of Toronto), ICAS, IQAS, ICES (BCIT) or NNAS, sent directly by the issuer (Standard Version where offered). Nurses educated in Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Philippines, the UK or the USA meet the education requirement automatically on the streamlined pathway.NLCN: internationally educated RN →
Apply in the Nurse Portal and pay CA$172.50Choose Exam Candidate if you have not passed the NCLEX-RN, or Practicing if you passed it elsewhere. Upload two IDs, five years of nursing employment history, self-reported practice hours and any suspension or termination declarations. A complete file gets a decision within 15 business days.Nurse Portal →
Prove EnglishIELTS Academic (speaking 7.0, listening 7.0, reading 6.5, writing 6.5, overall 7.0), CELBAN (8/9/8/7), PTE Academic (75/73/66/68) or OET (B/B/C+/C+), valid two years and ideally within six months of applying. Education or nursing practice in English in the last two years, or current registration in the USA, UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand, can count instead.NLCN: English language proficiency →
Criminal record checks for every country you worked inIf you live outside Canada, a check for each country where you worked as an adult for six months or more, through CSI where available or the national police by mail. Inside Canada, the enhanced Canadian check.NLCN: criminal record check →
Show currency of practiceGraduation in the last three years, 1,125 RN hours in the last five years or 450 in the last two, or an approved re-entry program in the last three years. Without it, a temporary licence through the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership Program (SPEPP) or the bridging program rebuilds currency.NLCN: re-entry and SPEPP →
General pathway: Inspire assessment, then bridging if neededNurses from other countries complete the Inspire Global Assessments competency assessment (computer-based and in-person). Outcomes range from no further education, to selected courses on a temporary restricted licence, to the IEN Bridging/Re-entry Program at Eastern Health Continuing Nursing Studies.Inspire Global Assessments →
Write the NCLEX-RN and licenseAfter approval the College tells you how to register with NCSBN (CA$360 + HST, plus CA$150 outside Canada) and grants eligibility. A four-month temporary licence (CA$156.40 + CA$78.20 CNPS) is available once your education is approved. A pass alone does not license you: education and currency must be met too. Then CA$412.47 for the annual licence plus CNPS.NLCN: NCLEX-RN →

Documents to have ready

Fees

How long it takes

Mistakes that cost people time or money

Register with NCSBN the same day you apply to the College; the College expects both and grants eligibility on the NCSBN site itself.
Order the criminal record check so it is dated within six months of when your licence will be issued, not just of when you apply.
Do not start orientation on a job offer alone; a temporary licence is required for orientation events too.
Internationally educated from a designated country: your education requirement is already met, so your file moves on currency and the exam.

Questions people ask about Newfoundland and Labrador

How do I register for the NCLEX in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Create a Nurse Portal account with the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses, apply as an Exam Candidate (CA$172.50) with two IDs and an enhanced criminal record check under six months old, and register and pay NCSBN (CA$360 + HST) at the same time. When your school confirms completion the College decides within three business days and grants eligibility; Pearson VUE then emails the Authorization to Test.

How much does it cost to become an RN in Newfoundland and Labrador?

CA$172.50 application, CA$360 + HST for the NCLEX-RN, optionally CA$156.40 for a four-month temporary licence, and CA$412.47 for the annual licence, plus CA$78.20 a year to CNPS for liability protection (2026-27 fees). Internationally educated nurses also pay for a credential assessment, an English test and, on the general pathway, the Inspire assessment.

Can I work in Newfoundland and Labrador before I pass the NCLEX-RN?

Yes, on a four-month temporary RN licence (CA$156.40 plus CA$78.20 CNPS) applied for in the Nurse Portal after your Exam Candidate application is approved. You need it before any work, including orientation.

Is CRNNL the same as the NL College of Nurses?

Yes. On April 15, 2026 the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CRNNL) and the LPN regulator merged into the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses, which regulates RNs, NPs, LPNs and RPNs. The website is nlcn.ca and the portal is still crnnl.alinityapp.com.

Which English tests does the NL College of Nurses accept?

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), PTE Academic (speaking 75, listening 73, reading 66, writing 68) and OET (speaking B, listening B, reading C+, writing C+), valid two years. Nursing education or practice in English in the last two years, or current registration in the USA, UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand, can meet the requirement instead.

Is there a jurisprudence exam in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Not at present. The College states there is no jurisprudence requirement for licensure, but encourages applicants to complete its free jurisprudence modules on legislation and regulations.

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on NLCN'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 Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses.

Initial application processing (Exam Candidate or Practicing)includes HST; non-refundable	CA$172.50
NCLEX-RN exam fee (NCSBN / Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. CA$570 + HST from Feb 1, 2027.	CA$360 + HST
Temporary RN licence (4 months)includes HST; liability protection not included	CA$156.40
Annual RN licence (2026-27)includes HST; liability protection not included; pro-rated Dec 1 to Mar 31 fee under review	CA$412.47
CNPS professional liability protection (RN)paid directly to CNPS	CA$78.20
Reinstatementservice fee includes HST	CA$46 + annual fee
Practising without a licenceplus a Quality Assurance referral after 7 days	CA$100 per day, max CA$1,000

How to register for the NCLEX in Newfoundland and Labrador