How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alberta
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta to work as a licensed practical nurse in Alberta or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“registration with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) is mandatory. Only registered members may perform restricted activities specified in the Regulations.”
From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/nurse-licensed-pr..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps, listed one-time fees $610
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps, listed one-time fees $100
- Trained outside Canada: 7 steps, listed one-time fees $1,700 (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)
- Annual fees
-
- Renewal of Practice Permit (early September – October 31): $350
Source
“Renewal of Practice Permit (early September – October 31) | $350”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Renewal of Practice Permit (November 1 – November 30): $550
Source
“Renewal of Practice Permit (November 1 – November 30) | $550”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule
- Renewal of Practice Permit (early September – October 31): $350
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 3 done
- Listed one-time fees: $610
- 2 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $900
-
Finish a diploma from an approved practical nursing program within the last four years.
Source
“A diploma from an approved practical nursing program earned within the last 4 years”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/nurse-licensed-pr... -
Successfully complete the CLPNA Alberta Practical Nurse Jurisprudence module.
Source
“The CLPNA Alberta Practical Nurse Jurisprudence module”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/nurse-licensed-pr... -
Successfully complete the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination.
- CPNRE: $610
Source
“Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE)CPNRE Admin Fee $115 CPNRE $495 | $610”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule
Source
“The Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE)”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/nurse-licensed-pr... - CPNRE: $610
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $610
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | $610 | 100% |
| One-time total | $610 | 100% |
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $900 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Renewal of Practice Permit (early September – October 31): $350
Source
“Renewal of Practice Permit (early September – October 31) | $350”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Renewal of Practice Permit (November 1 – November 30): $550
Source
“Renewal of Practice Permit (November 1 – November 30) | $550”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- Listed one-time fees: $100
- 1 step without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $900
-
If you are currently registered as an LPN or RPN in another Canadian province, apply to the CLHA as a Labour Mobility applicant.
- Out-of-Province Application: $100
Source
“Out-of-Province Application | $100”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule
Source
“If you are currently registered as an LPN or RPN (Ontario) in another Canadian province, you can apply to the CLHA as a Labour Mobility applicant.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn - Out-of-Province Application: $100
-
If you are or have been registered in another jurisdiction, verification is required.
Source
“Verification is required if you are or have been registered in another jurisdiction.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $100
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $100 | 100% |
| One-time total | $100 | 100% |
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $900 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Renewal of Practice Permit (early September – October 31): $350
Source
“Renewal of Practice Permit (early September – October 31) | $350”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Renewal of Practice Permit (November 1 – November 30): $550
Source
“Renewal of Practice Permit (November 1 – November 30) | $550”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule
Trained outside Canada
0 of 7 done
- Listed one-time fees: $1,700
- 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $900
- Listed time: 0.8 months (only 3 of 7 steps state a time)
-
Provide an education credential assessment or report from the National Nursing Assessment Service.
- NNAS Main Application (Expedited Service): $750
- NNAS Main Application (RPN Pathway): $845 (for one profession and one regulator)
Source
“Education credential assessment or report from the National Nursing Assessment Service.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated... -
Create an account on MyCLHA, which is needed to submit an application.
Source
“Create your account on MyCLHA. To submit an application, you must have an account with MyCLHA.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated... -
Once logged in, select APPLY under Provisional to begin the Internationally Educated Nurse provisional application.
Source
“Once logged in, select APPLY under Provisional to begin the Internationally Educated Nurse provisional application.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated... -
Submit the application and pay the $340 application fee, filling out every field even if the CLHA already has your NNAS or credential assessment.
- Internationally Educated Nurse Application: $340
Source
“Internationally Educated Nurse Application | $340”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule
Source
“Submit the application and pay the $340 application fee. Even if the CLHA has your NNAS or educational credential assessment, you still must fill out every field of your application.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated... - Internationally Educated Nurse Application: $340
-
If your paid application has missing requirements, the CLHA will contact you within five business days.
Time: 5 daysTime source
“within five business days”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated...Source
“If your paid application has any missing requirements, the CLHA will contact you within five business days.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated... -
You will receive a decision letter and final invoice for your permit fee and cost of CPNRE within ten business days of all application requirements being met.
Time: 10 daysTime source
“within ten business days of all application requirements being met”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated...Source
“You will receive a decision letter and final invoice for your permit fee and cost of CPNRE within ten business days of all application requirements being met.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated... -
After paying your invoice, you will receive information on how to register for the CPNRE within ten business days.
- CPNRE: $610
Source
“Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE)CPNRE Admin Fee $115 CPNRE $495 | $610”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule
Time: 10 daysTime source
“within ten business days of your invoice being paid”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated...Source
“You will receive information on how to register for the CPNRE within ten business days of your invoice being paid.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated... - CPNRE: $610
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $1,700
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $340 | 20% |
| Assessment | $750 | 44% |
| Exams | $610 | 36% |
| One-time total | $1,700 | 100% |
1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $900 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Renewal of Practice Permit (early September – October 31): $350
Source
“Renewal of Practice Permit (early September – October 31) | $350”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Renewal of Practice Permit (November 1 – November 30): $550
Source
“Renewal of Practice Permit (November 1 – November 30) | $550”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- CPNRE ONLY Application: $100
Source
“CPNRE ONLY Application | $100”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Reinstatement Application: $100
Source
“Reinstatement Application | $100”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - New Grad Provisional Registration Application: $100
Source
“New Grad Provisional Registration Application | $100”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Advanced Practice Application Fee: $100
Source
“Advanced Practice Application Fee | $100”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Courtesy Application: $25
Source
“Courtesy Application | $25”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Interjurisdictional Nursing Licensure Application: $25
Source
“Interjurisdictional Nursing Licensure Application | $25”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Permits Issued Between January 1 – June 30: $350 (permit issued between January 1 and June 30)
Source
“Permits Issued Between January 1 – June 30 | $350”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Permits Issued Between July 1 – November 30: $175 (permit issued between July 1 and November 30)
Source
“Permits Issued Between July 1 – November 30 | $175”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Interjurisdictional Nursing Licensure: $175
Source
“Interjurisdictional Nursing Licensure | $175”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Courtesy Registration (three-month permit): $90
Source
“Courtesy Registration (three-month permit) | $90”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Reinstatement of Suspended Permit Between December 1 – December 31: $300 (in addition to the application fee and the cost of the practice permit)
Source
“Reinstatement of Suspended Permit Between December 1 – December 31 *Fee is in addition to the application fee and the cost of the practice permit. | $300”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Late Submission of CCP Audit (after June 30): $100 (all fees and levies must be paid prior to renewal being approved)
Source
“Late Submission of CCP Audit (after June 30) *All fees and levies must be paid prior to renewal being approved. | $100”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - CPNRE Admin Fee: $115
- CPNRE: $495
- Did Not Write: $100 (for those who chose to not write in the assigned CPNRE Testing Window)
Source
“Did Not Write (for those who chose to not write in the assigned CPNRE Testing Window) | $100”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule - Request for Review fee: $350
- NNAS Reactivation of expired application (Expedited Service): $240
- NNAS document translation (per page): $115 (per page of document translated by NNAS)
- NNAS Appeals: $500
Requirements
Education
Applicants need a diploma from an approved practical nursing program earned within the last 4 years.
Source
“A diploma from an approved practical nursing program earned within the last 4 years”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/nurse-licensed-pr...
Experience
The CLHA requires applicants to complete 1,000 practice hours over the past four years or to have graduated in the past four years.
Source
“the CLHA requires that applicants complete 1,000 practice hours over the past four years OR that they graduated in the past four years.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated...
Police check
Internationally educated applicants must complete a Criminal Record Check through Backcheck.
Source
“Criminal Record Check completed through Backcheck.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated...
Insurance
Evidence of professional liability insurance must be provided before an active practice permit is issued.
Source
“Evidence of professional liability insurance must be provided prior to an active practice permit being issued”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated...
Other
Applicants must successfully complete the CLPNA Alberta Practical Nurse Jurisprudence module.
Source
“The CLPNA Alberta Practical Nurse Jurisprudence module”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/nurse-licensed-pr...Applicants must successfully complete the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE).
Source
“The Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE)”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/nurse-licensed-pr...Applicants must provide a current verification of registration from the last six months if they are or have been registered in another jurisdiction.
Source
“A current (last six months) verification of registration allows the CLHA to assess current registration and practice in your originating jurisdiction(s).”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated...Applicants must meet the English language requirements.
Source
“Meeting the English Language Requirements: see Meeting the English Language Requirements for more information.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated...Applicants must provide two forms of valid ID.
Source
“Two forms of valid ID: see List of Valid ID for more information.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The page says LPNs registered by and in good standing with a regulatory body elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if their scope of practice and competencies are similar, but does not state whether they can register directly without an exam or assessment. Source
“Licensed practical nurses who are registered by and in good standing with a regulatory body elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if their scope of practice and competencies are similar.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/nurse-licensed-pr...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with CLPNA
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with CLPNA
Exams
-
Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE)
Source
“The Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE)”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/nurse-licensed-pr... -
Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE)
Source
“Applicants may be referred to an OSCE as a part of the substantial equivalence assessment process.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated... -
Rex-PN
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with CLPNA
Exemptions: Applicants can meet the English language requirement in several ways, including nursing education where English was the language of instruction, a two-year non-practical nurse program in Canada taught in English, secondary school completed in English, or current nursing registration in another Canadian jurisdiction where English proficiency was assessed. Source
“You can meet the CLHA’s English language requirement in one of the following ways: If you completed nursing education, in any country, where English was the language of instruction. If you graduated from a two-year non-practical nurse program in Canada where English was the language of instruction. If you completed secondary school in English in any country. If you have current nursing registration in another Canadian jurisdiction where English language proficiency has been assessed as meeting the requirements of language proficiency.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/english-la...
Canadian experience
Applicants must have 1,000 practice hours over the past four years or have graduated in the past four years. Source
“the CLHA requires that applicants complete 1,000 practice hours over the past four years OR that they graduated in the past four years.”
clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated...
Supervised practice
Required
Applicants on the provisional register must work under supervision. Source
“Must work under supervision”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/nurse-licensed-pr...
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $25.80 | $32.00 | $36.00 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $25.00 | $31.32 | $38.00 | — |
Licensed practical nurses in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Licence required
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Licence required
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Licence required
Sources checked
- Nurse - Licensed Practical: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/nurse-licensed-pr... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Fee Schedule for Applicants - CLHA clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/fee-schedule · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apply To Be an LPN - CLHA clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn · fetched October 10, 2026
- Registration Information - CLHA clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information · fetched October 10, 2026
- Internationally Educated Nurses - CLHA clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants/internationally-educated... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Fees - National Nursing Assessment Service nnas.ca/fees · fetched October 10, 2026
- Applicants - CLHA clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/applicants · fetched October 10, 2026
- English Language Requirements - CLHA clha.com/lpn/apply-to-be-an-lpn/registration-information/english-la... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a licensed practical nurse in Alberta?
Yes. Registration with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta is required to practise in Alberta.
Which exams are required?
Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE), Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE), Rex-PN.
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