College of Nurses of Ontario

College of Nurses of Ontario As the governing body for Ontario's 180,000+ nurses, we register nurses, help them maintain competence, and set and enforce practice standards.

We partner with employers, educators and government so that all Ontarians benefit from safe nursing care. The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is the governing body for Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in Ontario, Canada. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting safe nursing practice. CNO fulfils its role by:
*establishing requirements for entry to practice
*articulating and promoting practice standards
*administering its Quality Assurance Program
*enforcing standards of practice and conduct

CNO also supports the regulation of nursing in the public interest by:
*participating in the legislative process
*sharing statistical information about Ontario’s nurses

CNO works in partnership with employers, educators and government so that everyone in Ontario benefits from quality nursing services. CNO aims to prevent harm by identifying potential sources and addressing them before they can negatively impact the public. We are committed to a whole-system approach to nursing regulation and working with you to make a greater collective impact on the patient care system. Community Guidelines

CNO welcomes respectful engagement. Comments containing hate, spam, or personal matters will be removed. Read our full guidelines here: https://collegeofnurses.org/m/guidelines

📢 Calling all RNs and RPNs in the General Class! We want your feedback. In a national initiative led by the Canadian Cou...
03/30/2026

📢 Calling all RNs and RPNs in the General Class! We want your feedback.

In a national initiative led by the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) and the Canadian Council of Practical Nurse Regulators (CCPNR), the entry-level competencies for RNs and RPNs are being updated.

The competencies define the foundational knowledge, skills and judgment required for safe nursing practice upon initial registration — and we need your input so they better reflect the realities of today's nursing practice.

Complete this survey by Friday, April 17, to help shape how future nurses are prepared to deliver safe, quality care in Ontario and across Canada.

Check your email inbox for a link to the survey 📨

🎓 Is the College of Nurses of Ontario a school? No, we're a regulator!This is a common misconception. In reality, we don...
03/27/2026

🎓 Is the College of Nurses of Ontario a school? No, we're a regulator!

This is a common misconception. In reality, we don't teach or train nurses — but we do approve and monitor all entry-level nursing programs in the province. This ensures every graduate in Ontario is prepared to practice nursing safely, competently and ethically.

Learn more: https://cno.org/become-a-nurse/nursing-education-program-approval

As health care delivery and nursing practice continue to evolve, it's important to consider how these changes impact dif...
03/26/2026

As health care delivery and nursing practice continue to evolve, it's important to consider how these changes impact different practice settings. Earlier this week, CNO presented at the Ontario Long Term Care Association's Together We Care convention — and that's exactly what we discussed.

CNO is continuously updating and developing new practice standards and guidelines to help nurses navigate the realities of today's nursing practice. Our session provided insight into what’s new, why these changes matter and how nurses working in long-term care can integrate these standards and guidelines into their daily practice.

Thank you to everyone who attended our session, asked questions and engaged with us! Patient safety is a team effort, and we're happy to support nurses across all practice settings.

To date, more than 6,000 nurses have become registered through the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP) pro...
03/26/2026

To date, more than 6,000 nurses have become registered through the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP) program!

This program lets applicants meet registration requirements through supervised practice, helping them begin their careers in Ontario with confidence and supporting a strong, safe and competent nursing workforce.

Learn more about SPEP from the nurses who make the program possible. Read our latest article here: https://collegeofnurses.org/4lpEAe3

Big life changes? Don't forget to update CNO.Whether it's a new job, a move or a name change, keeping your personal info...
03/25/2026

Big life changes? Don't forget to update CNO.

Whether it's a new job, a move or a name change, keeping your personal information current with CNO helps us maintain accurate records and support safe nursing practice.

Visit: https://cno.org/maintain-your-membership/update-your-info

Charmaine Madrigal, RN, and Ancy Xaviar, RN, support SPEP candidates at St. Joseph's Health Centre Guelph. Both are inte...
03/24/2026

Charmaine Madrigal, RN, and Ancy Xaviar, RN, support SPEP candidates at St. Joseph's Health Centre Guelph. Both are internationally educated nurses themselves.

Madrigal knows firsthand how challenging it can be to find clear pathways to registration. "When you come as an immigrant, nobody really sits you down and tells you, 'This is what you have to do,'" she says. Today, programs like SPEP provide newcomers with structure and support. "We've come a long way since then, and programs like SPEP are a big part of helping IENs transition into working in Canada."

The learning goes both ways. "We had one candidate who was a trauma emergency nurse in a war-torn country in the Middle East," Xaviar says. "So we looked at how that highly skilled practice translates here. How can you share that knowledge?"

Read more about the preceptors who make SPEP possible: https://collegeofnurses.org/4lpEAe3

Maintain Your Membership and Find a Nurse will be down for scheduled maintenance on Tuesday, Mar. 24 from 7 p.m. until W...
03/24/2026

Maintain Your Membership and Find a Nurse will be down for scheduled maintenance on Tuesday, Mar. 24 from 7 p.m. until Wednesday, Mar. 25 at 7 a.m.

You will not be able to search for a nurse on Find a Nurse, log into your account or create or view an application during these hours.

Thank you for your patience.

Virtual care is becoming a regular part of how many nurses connect with clients. But keep this in mind: while your setti...
03/23/2026

Virtual care is becoming a regular part of how many nurses connect with clients. But keep this in mind: while your setting has changed, the practice requirements haven't.

If you’re delivering care virtually, you must have the authority to practice in the jurisdiction where the client is located. This ensures you understand and meet your professional accountabilities, supporting safe care.

Looking for more information? Read our Virtual Care guideline: https://collegeofnurses.org/3JcQXLX

When CNO conducted its first-ever Workforce Census, we asked nurses if they had experienced racism or discrimination rel...
03/21/2026

When CNO conducted its first-ever Workforce Census, we asked nurses if they had experienced racism or discrimination related to their identity. 27,836 nurses responded, and 37% of these nurses said "yes."

Today, we recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which calls on all of us to actively oppose racism and injustice in all levels of Ontario's health care system.

From patient to provider, everyone deserves an equitable health care system. Building a safer system is a shared responsibility, and CNO's work will continue to guide our collective actions toward this goal.

Learn more about our findings: https://www.cno.org/news/details/shedding-light-on-bias-and-discrimination

😁 Smile, it's the International Day of Happiness! Sometimes, laughter really is the best medicine. Here are some nursing...
03/20/2026

😁 Smile, it's the International Day of Happiness! Sometimes, laughter really is the best medicine. Here are some nursing puns to brighten your day.

Eid Mubarak! We wish you a blessed Eid filled with peace, gratitude and time with loved ones.
03/19/2026

Eid Mubarak! We wish you a blessed Eid filled with peace, gratitude and time with loved ones.

The Nurses’ Health Program offers a proven approach for helping nurses experiencing substance use or mental health disor...
03/19/2026

The Nurses’ Health Program offers a proven approach for helping nurses experiencing substance use or mental health disorders. The program offers a supportive approach that reduces stigma and focuses on recovery, while safeguarding the public. Read more at nurseshealth.ca

The Nurses’ Health Program is supported by the College of Nurses of Ontario, the Ontario Nurses' Association, the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, and the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario.

Address

101 Davenport Road
Toronto, ON
M5R3P1

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18003875526

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Recognized internationally as a leader in professional regulation, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) protects the public interest by: • setting standards for nursing practice • establishing the requirements for becoming a Registered Nurse, Registered Practical Nurse, Nurse Practitioner • administering a program that helps nurses maintain competence • enforcing the standards of practice and conduct. Our Vision Leading in regulatory excellence Our Mission Regulating nursing in the public interest

Founded: in 1963