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College of Nurses of Ontario

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is the governing body for registered nurses in Ontario. The Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC) oversees the registration practices of the college to ensure that they are transparent, objective, impartial and fair for anyone who wants to practise as a nurse or practical nurse in this province.

Fair Registration Practices (FRP) Report, 2010
Audit Report

Applications to Practise Processed by the CNO in 2010
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training Total
Ontario Other Canadian Provinces USA Other International Unknown
New applications received8,6575142353,878013,284
Applicants who became members5,3494078677236,617

Fair Registration Practices (FRP) Report, 2009

Fair Access: In summer 2009, the CNO informed the OFC of new initiatives that would enhance fair access, such as:

  • reorganizing certain aspects of the registration process to speed up communication with applicants
  • harmonizing the CNO's language fluency requirements with other jurisdictions across Canada.
The CNO had a followup meeting with the OFC in October 2009 and is preparing a draft of changes to its registration regulations.

For a description of all OFC-monitored developments for this profession for 2009, see the 2009-2010 Annual Report.

Applications to Practise Processed by the CNO in 2009
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training Total
Ontario Other Canadian Provinces USA Other International Unknown
New applications received9,1636912553,303013,412
Applicants who became members8,851505157739110,253

Fair Registration Practices (FRP) Report, 2008

Applications to Practise Processed by the CNO in 2008
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training Total
Ontario Other Canadian Provinces USA Other International Unknown
New applications received9,3017062512,896013,154
Applicants who became members8,45555112867409,808

During the fall and winter of 2007-2008, the OFC undertook a study of the CNO to understand its 2007 registration practices and establish baseline data and information. PDF

The CNO uses the following outside organization/s to assess the qualifications of its applicants:

The College of Nurses of Ontario falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

CNO The OFC does not assess credentials, handle complaints or intervene in particular cases. Our mandate is one of systemic change. Please contact the CNO for further information about your ability to practise as a nurse or practical nurse in Ontario.

Registration Improvement

The College of Nurses of Ontario gives detailed reasons to internationally trained applicants who are denied a licence because their program is not deemed equivalent to a Bachelor of Nursing degree.

The College of Nurses of Ontario is leading a national project to harmonize requirements for nurses' language fluency across Canada.

Entry-to-Practice Requirements for Five Professions in Five Canadian Provinces: Nurses

Compare entry-to-practice requirements for nurses in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec.

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