04/02/2026
Effective July 1, CNO will implement a Single Classification for Nurse Practitioners in Ontario. This move will change how NPs are regulated across Canada, which means that NPs will no longer be restricted to a specific population but restricted to their competence.
How an NP obtains those competencies won't be determined by CNO. Under these proposed new framework NPs wishing to expand their practice outside their formal education and specialty certificate are accountable to reflect on their competence and maintain their competencies by participating in CNO's Quality Assurance program, specifically QA Everyday, to ensure their competence.
Nurses would be, as always, responsible to determine what level of education, training and mentorship is require to ensure they are practicing competently and safely.
For more information, you may visit: https://www.cno.org/standards-learning/nurse-practitioners/a-single-classification-of-nurse-practitioners-nps
