NNAS is the starting point for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) interested in being licensed or registered in Canada. We provide a streamlined process for collecting and verifying documentation from IENs that is required by nursing regulatory bodies in Canada.  

From the information submitted to NNAS, we issue an Advisory Report that is sent to the nursing regulatory body (or bodies) chosen by applicants. NNAS issues advisory reports to 18 nursing regulatory bodies across Canada and for all three nursing professions:  

• Registered Nurses (RNs) 
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)* 
• Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs)  

*Referred to as Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) in Ontario 

NNAS’s Readiness to Apply tool will help prepare you for your NNAS application. The tool will help you understand: 

• If you are eligible for NNAS’s services. 

• If you should apply through the Expedited Service, Regular Service or both. 

• What documents you will need to provide for the application process. 

• What additional information you will need to disclose on your application.  

The tool will not: 

• Assess or verify your credentials in any way. 
• Imply any possible Canadian nursing license decision.

Using the Readiness to Apply Tool 

1. To start your personalized Readiness to Apply tool, click here.  

2. Enter in your email address (optional). 

3. Select whether you want to complete the tool in English or French.  

4. Select whether you want to proceed with the Expedited Service question set or Regular Service question set. If you are interested in both services, you will need to complete one question set at a time.  

5. Answer all questions. You may find it helpful to review the Expedited Service Applicant Handbook and Regular Service Applicant Handbook while you are completing the questions. 

6. Based on your responses, a personalized checklist will be populated that will assess your readiness to begin the NNAS application process. 

7. Download a PDF version of your personalized checklist. Your responses will not be saved once you navigate away from the results page. While we make every effort to ensure that this tool is accurate and up to date, it does not take all your circumstances into account. Please use it as a guide only. 

8. Ready to begin your NNAS application? Click here to create your account and start your application.