Communication to Applicants CRNNL Language Requirements
(EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2021 AT 9:00 am ET)
Dear Applicant,
According to our records, you have selected the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CRNNL) as one of the recipients of your Advisory Report. I am writing to inform you of a recent change CRNNL has made to its application process. This change comes into effect on December 1, 2021. Visit the CRNNL website at https://crnnl.ca for more information.
Under CRNNL requirements, applicants must demonstrate language proficiency in English. Achieving benchmark scores on an approved English language proficiency exam remains the most effective way of demonstrating proficiency.
An applicant whose first language is not English is required to demonstrate proficiency by:
- Achieving the required scores on one of the accepted English language proficiency tests (IELTS or CELBAN); or
- Registration and licensure as a Licensed/Registered Practical Nurse (LPN / RPN) in another Canadian province/territory and employed as an LPN / RPN in Canada, during the previous 2 years, where the primary language of the practice setting and clients are English.
An applicant whose first language is English may be able to demonstrate proficiency by:
- Primary language where you live, and work is English and evidence of language of instruction in theory and clinical in English in the nursing program(s) completed. Verification required from your school of nursing; or
- Evidence of safe practice within the last 2 years as a RN, where services were provided in English and where the primary language of the practice setting, and clients was English. Verification required from your employer(s).
CRNNL is currently reviewing its English language proficiency requirements.
Because your application to NNAS is in process, you can defer the language requirement for CRNNL until after the NNAS process. This can be done at any time while your application is open, and your review is in process.
To defer the language requirement, go into the Dashboard section of your online portal and then go to the Application Status link for your CRNNL order. The Passing Language Score requirement will include a selectable option that indicates that CRNNL allows for passing of language requirements to occur after the advisory report is issued. Once you have selected this option you will then be asked to click on a box if you wish to defer the language requirement for CRNNL until after you complete the NNAS process.
If you have any questions or require assistance, please feel free to contact Applicant Support at support@nnas.ca or by calling 855-977-1898, Monday to Friday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm ET. You can also review the Frequently Asked Questions on the NNAS website at www.nnas.ca in the News and Events section.
I wish you all the best.
Yours sincerely,
Gayle Waxman
Executive Director, NNAS
Frequently Asked Questions
CRNNL Language Requirements
(EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2021 AT 9:00 am ET)
Q1. What are CRNNL’s language requirements
A1. Applicants to CRNNL are required, under the RN Regulations, to demonstrate proficiency in English language. An applicant whose first language is not English is required to demonstrate proficiency by:
1. Achieving the required scores on one of the accepted English language proficiency tests (IELTS or
CELBAN); or
2. Registration and licensure as a Licensed/Registered Practical Nurse (LPN / RPN) in another Canadian province/territory and employed as an LPN / RPN in Canada, during the previous 2 years, where the primary language of the practice setting and clients are English.
An applicant whose first language is English may be able to demonstrate proficiency by:
1. Primary language where you live, and work is English and evidence of language of instruction in theory and clinical in English in the nursing program(s) completed. Verification required from your school of nursing; or
2. Evidence of safe practice within the last 2 years as a RN, where services were provided in English and where the primary language of the practice setting, and clients was English. Verification is required from your employer(s).
CRNNL is currently reviewing its English language proficiency requirements.
Q2. Does this mean I won’t have to have my language proficiency assessed?
A2. No. You still need to have your language proficiency assessed and meet the language proficiency requirement.
Q3. Do these changes apply to any other Nursing Regulatory Bodies?
A3. This change applies only to CRNNL. Please check the website of the Regulatory Bodies you are considering applying to for registration or licensure to find out about their specific requirements.
Q4. I have an application currently open with NNAS. I identified CRNNL as one the recipients of my Advisory Reports. I want to defer my language requirement until after the NNAS process. Can I do so?
A4. Yes. You can defer the language requirement until after the NNAS process at any time while your application is open, and your review is in process.
Q5. How do I defer the language requirement until after the NNAS process if I am applying to CRNNL?
A5. To defer the language requirement, go into the Dashboard section of your online portal and then go to the Application Status link for your CRNNL order. The Passing Language Score requirement will include a selectable option that indicates that CRNNL allows for passing of language requirements to occur after the advisory report is issued. Once you have selected this option you will then be asked to click on a box if you wish to defer the language requirement for CRNNL until after you complete the NNAS process.
Q6. I have applied to several Regulatory Bodies including CRNNL. If I defer my language requirement for CRNNL, will this impact my application to other Regulatory Bodies?
A6. You will need to meet the requirements of all Regulatory Bodies you are applying to before your Advisory Report can issued. If you have identified other Regulatory Bodies as the recipient of your Advisory Report, your Report will not be issued to those Regulatory Bodies until you meet all their requirements.
Q7. Can I port my Advisory Report to another Regulatory Body if I waived the language requirement for CRNNL?
A7. Yes, you can. However, you will be required to meet the language requirement along with all other policies and requirements of each Regulatory Body to which you are applying.
Q8. Can I still submit language test scores to NNAS even if I am applying to CRNNL?
A8. Yes. You can still submit language test scores and CRNNL will accept them as proof that you have met the language requirement. This remains the most efficient way to meet the language requirement.