How to Become a Registered Nurse in Newfoundland and Labrador
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses to work as a registered nurse in Newfoundland and Labrador or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses”
From gov.nl.ca/jgrd/fair-registration/regulatory-bodies, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 9 steps, listed one-time fees $328.90 (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 9 done
- Listed one-time fees: $328.90
- 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
- 7 steps without a listed fee
-
Sign up for an account in the College's Nurse Portal.
Source
“Sign up for an account in the College Nurse Portal”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn -
After creating your account, apply as an Exam Candidate.
Source
“After creating your account, apply as an Exam Candidate.”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn -
Complete the application by uploading two government issued identification documents, one with a photo, and a legal change of name document if your name has changed.
Source
“Complete your application: Upload two (2) of the following government issued identification documents, one of which must contain a photo: Passport Driver’s License Birth certificate Permanent resident card Citizenship card Immigration card If your name has changed, upload a legal change of name document or marriage certificate.”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn -
Submit the College application processing fee with your application; the fee is non-refundable.
- College application processing fee: $172.50
Source
“Submit the College application processing fee ($172.50 CAD includes HST) with your application.”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn
Source
“Submit the College application processing fee ($172.50 CAD includes HST) with your application. Staff will review your application and follow up if you need to submit any additional information. The application fee is non-refundable.”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn - College application processing fee: $172.50
-
Program completion is confirmed directly by Memorial University for NL graduates, or by an official transcript sent directly from the university for graduates of programs outside NL.
Source
“The College will receive confirmation of successful program completion directly from the Office of the Registrar at Memorial University of Newfoundland for graduates of nursing education programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. Graduates of a nursing education program outside of Newfoundland and Labrador must submit an official transcript from the university where you completed your nursin”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn -
When submitting your application, also register and pay the NCLEX-RN exam fee with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Source
“When you submit your application to the College, you must also register and pay the NCLEX-RN® exam fee with National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn -
After the College approves your application and grants exam eligibility, follow the instructions in the Authorization to Test email from Pearson VUE to schedule your exam.
Source
“When the College approves your exam candidate application, we will also grant you exam eligibility on the NCSBN site. You will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email from Pearson VUE (exam vendor) for exam scheduling. Be sure to follow the instructions in the ATT email to schedule your exam.”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn -
Apply through the Nurse Portal and pay the temporary licensure fee and the professional liability protection fee while waiting to write the NCLEX-RN.
- Temporary licence licensure fee: $156.40
Source
“Apply through the Nurse Portal and pay the licensure fee ($156.40 CAD includes HST).”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn - Professional Liability Protection fee: $78.20 (paid directly to the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS))
Source
“Professional Liability Protection fee ($78.20 includes HST) paid directly to the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS).”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn
Source
“Apply through the Nurse Portal and pay the licensure fee ($156.40 CAD includes HST). Professional Liability Protection fee ($78.20 includes HST) paid directly to the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS).”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn - Temporary licence licensure fee: $156.40
-
Once the temporary licence is issued, check your licensure status through the College's public directory to confirm it has been issued.
Source
“Once the temporary licence has been issued, you will receive an email from the College that your registration change has been approved, and your name will display on the College’s Search for a Nurse. Ensure that you check your licensure status via the public directory to confirm your licence has been issued.”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $328.90
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $328.90 | 100% |
| One-time total | $328.90 | 100% |
1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.
7 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group.
Requirements
Education
Applicants on the new graduate route must be a student or recent graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing Science program in Newfoundland and Labrador or of a Canadian entry-level RN program.
Source
“You are a student or recent graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BScN) program in Newfoundland and Labrador. Or You are a student or recent graduate of a Canadian entry-level RN program.”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn
Police check
All applicants must provide a Criminal Record Check prior to receiving a licence.
Source
“All applicants must provide a Criminal Record Check prior to receiving a licence.”
nlcn.ca/apply/registration-requirements
Insurance
Applicants for a temporary RN licence must pay the Professional Liability Protection fee directly to the Canadian Nurses Protective Society.
Source
“Professional Liability Protection fee ($78.20 includes HST) paid directly to the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS).”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated by the regulator Check with Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses
Exams
-
NCLEX-RN®
Source
“When you submit your application to the College, you must also register and pay the NCLEX-RN® exam fee with National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).”
nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $33.65 | $44.00 | $52.00 | Very good (5 of 5) |
| Canada | $30.00 | $43.27 | $54.37 | — |
Wages by region and job outlook in Newfoundland and Labrador
Registered nurses in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta 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
- Yukon Licence required
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Licence required
Sources checked
- Regulatory Bodies - Jobs, Growth and Rural Development gov.nl.ca/jgrd/fair-registration/regulatory-bodies · fetched October 10, 2026
- New Graduate RN - NL College of NursesNew Graduate RN - NL College of Nurses nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants/new-graduate-rn · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apply as Registered Nurse in Newfoundland | Register as RNApply as Registered Nurse in Newfoundland | Register as RN nlcn.ca/apply/rn-applicants · fetched October 10, 2026
- Registration Requirements for Nursing in Newfoundland & LabradorRegistration Requirements for Nursing in Newfoundland & Labrador nlcn.ca/apply/registration-requirements · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a registered nurse in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Yes. Registration with the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses is required to practise in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Which exams are required?
NCLEX-RN®.
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