CNO: English Language Proficiency

Pruthvi Patel · May 7, 2019

On 9/10/2018 at 3:36 PM, Sunshineonyourlips said:
Hello everyone. I am trying to complete my outstanding requirements for nurses registration in CNO. Since I am an international student, I need to prove my proficiency in English. I have thought of submitting letter of references from my employers, school, volunteer work, etc.
Can somebody help me in regards to the application? Did anybody experience doing this? How did it go and how long did it take you to get an approval from CNO?
Hoping for your help!
Thank you so much!
-Sunshine

Natalie Ou · Nov 23, 2019

Hi Sunshine,

I am also in the same situation. It's a very long process here in Ontario.

They gave me two options: pass an approved language proficiency test such as CELBAN or IELTS, or go the "uncommon" route and submit references from your current/past employers or volunteer work (within the last 2 years) proving examples of how you read, write, & speak English in the workplace. The examples should meet the indicators on the CNO website. Along with this, you also have to write a personal letter explaining why and how you think you meet the indicators using examples from your workplace or volunteer work.

Because I didn't want to pay $300 for any of the English tests, I decided to go with the second option and submit references. I've been waiting for my application to be reviewed since July of this year, and only recently did I get a response from the director of the CNO stating that my application will be referred to the Registration Committee to determine if my evidences meet the requirements. Apparently the registration committee meets with them only once a month which is one of the reasons why the process takes so long. And I was also told over the phone by one of the customer service reps at CNO that if they are referring your application to the Registration Committee, then you have a good chance of meeting the requirements (or else they wouldn't send it at all)...

Anyway, that's my experience so far. It's a long process and a whole lot of waiting (and anxiety...)

I highly suggest you check out the CNO website if you haven't already. All the information is there under language Proficiency, or just give CNO a call.

Here is the link for evidences you can submit. Scroll all the way down and read the "Review by the Registration Committee": http://www.cno.org/en/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/language-proficiency/language-proficiency-other-types-of-evidence/

Here is the link for the indicators you need to meet: http://www.cno.org/en/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/language-proficiency/language-proficiency-indicators/

Long post but I hope this helps. Let me know how it goes for you!

Good luck

AgnesJohn · Apr 13, 2020

On 11/23/2019 at 12:09 PM, Natalie Ou said:
Hi Sunshine,
I am also in the same situation. It's a very long process here in Ontario.
They gave me two options: pass an approved language proficiency test such as CELBAN or IELTS, or go the "uncommon" route and submit references from your current/past employers or volunteer work (within the last 2 years) proving examples of how you read, write, & speak English in the workplace. The examples should meet the indicators on the CNO website. Along with this, you also have to write a personal letter explaining why and how you think you meet the indicators using examples from your workplace or volunteer work.
Because I didn't want to pay $300 for any of the English tests, I decided to go with the second option and submit references. I've been waiting for my application to be reviewed since July of this year, and only recently did I get a response from the director of the CNO stating that my application will be referred to the Registration Committee to determine if my evidences meet the requirements. Apparently the registration committee meets with them only once a month which is one of the reasons why the process takes so long. And I was also told over the phone by one of the customer service reps at CNO that if they are referring your application to the Registration Committee, then you have a good chance of meeting the requirements (or else they wouldn't send it at all)...
Anyway, that's my experience so far. It's a long process and a whole lot of waiting (and anxiety...)
I highly suggest you check out the CNO website if you haven't already. All the information is there under language Proficiency, or just give CNO a call.
Here is the link for evidences you can submit. Scroll all the way down and read the "Review by the Registration Committee": http://www.cno.org/en/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/language-proficiency/language-proficiency-other-types-of-evidence/
Here is the link for the indicators you need to meet: http://www.cno.org/en/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/language-proficiency/language-proficiency-indicators/
Long post but I hope this helps. Let me know how it goes for you!
Good luck

Hey did u get the response from CNO about your language proficiency? I submitted the same documents but they asked me to submit letters from my current organization in detail, saying how am meeting those requirements but they already sent a letter but CNO wants it in more detail. I didn't submit that one yet. I have to ask my supervisor about it. But u know it's an extra job for them in their busy work. That's not their responsibility it's a favour they are doing for me so I am really sad to ask them! Let's see anyway..!!

Natalie Ou · Apr 13, 2020

Hi @AgnesJohn. Yes, I finally received a response 3 months later. The CNO extended the expiration of my language proficiency requirement so that I could register for my nursing license. All is well now and I am finally a registered nurse working in Ontario!

Its a long process so you have to be patient. I had to ask my employers to write more than one letter too. I know, its very annoying for your employers because they're so busy but it has to be done. Ask your employers to be more specific with their examples of how you use English in the workplace, and make sure to follow the CNO indicators on the CNO website.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

AgnesJohn · Apr 14, 2020

10 hours ago, Natalie Ou said:
Hi @AgnesJohn. Yes, I finally received a response 3 months later. The CNO extended the expiration of my language proficiency requirement so that I could register for my nursing license. All is well now and I am finally a registered nurse working in Ontario!
Its a long process so you have to be patient. I had to ask my employers to write more than one letter too. I know, its very annoying for your employers because they're so busy but it has to be done. Ask your employers to be more specific with their examples of how you use English in the workplace, and make sure to follow the CNO indicators on the CNO website.
I hope this helps. Good luck!

Hi Natalie,

Congratulations!! Thanks for your quick reply. Did you know anyone got CAS for RPN? Just asking now I am working with my CAS and also my letter for language proficiency also pending!

Stay safe and good luck with your career ! ?

Caranne_1, BSN, RN, CNS · Sep 24, 2020

Hi there,

Glad you were able to meet the english requirement via this route. I submitted references and letters last September and they are still reviewing it. I'm irish, so am surprised how long it is taking Covid or no covid. I hope I have met this requirement but can't access the latest correspondence as the CNO had a cyber attack.

Caranne_1, BSN, RN, CNS · Oct 7, 2020

I just received confirmation that I have met this requirement with the CNO. I just submitted letters and my own letter stating why I think I meet the requirement. Hope this is of some help. Best of luck!

roop, BSN · Jan 6, 2021

On 4/12/2020 at 6:01 PM, AgnesJohn said:

Hey did u get the response from CNO about your language proficiency? I submitted the same documents but they asked me to submit letters from my current organization in detail, saying how am meeting those requirements but they already sent a letter but CNO wants it in more detail. I didn't submit that one yet. I have to ask my supervisor about it. But u know it's an extra job for them in their busy work. That's not their responsibility it's a favour they are doing for me so I am really sad to ask them! Let's see anyway..!!

Hi @AgnesJohn

did you get response from CNO. I am stuck in same process for language proficiency ? Can you share your timeline? when you get response from CNO registration committee and how long it takes after this?
thank you.

roop, BSN · Jan 6, 2021

On 4/13/2020 at 7:57 AM, Natalie Ou said:

Hi @AgnesJohn. Yes, I finally received a response 3 months later. The CNO extended the expiration of my language proficiency requirement so that I could register for my nursing license. All is well now and I am finally a registered nurse working in Ontario!

Its a long process so you have to be patient. I had to ask my employers to write more than one letter too. I know, its very annoying for your employers because they're so busy but it has to be done. Ask your employers to be more specific with their examples of how you use English in the workplace, and make sure to follow the CNO indicators on the CNO website.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Hi@natalieOu

can you please help me for process how long it takes after you get email from CNO for received your reference letter upto waive off your language. I submit my all documents in last early April 2020 and till Nov 2020 they just send me one email they received my letter for language proficiency and reference letter from ma employer and after that I did not get anything. Please help me to know how long approx they took to waive the requirement..I ll really appreciate your help and kindness..

thank you

Caranne_1, BSN, RN, CNS · Jan 6, 2021

If it’s been a while I would check with CNO if they received your English proficiency paperwork. I discovered after 5 months that I had to get my employer to resend what she had sent and it took another number of months to process (all in all about 11 months). Got English requirement met in May 2020 but it expires in July 2021. Hoping to get a pass in NCLEX before it expires...

roop, BSN · Jan 6, 2021

5 minutes ago, Caranne_1 said:

If it’s been a while I would check with CNO if they received your English proficiency paperwork. I discovered after 5 months that I had to get my employer to resend what she had sent and it took another number of months to process (all in all about 11 months). Got English requirement met in May 2020 but it expires in July 2021. Hoping to get a pass in NCLEX before it expires...

Can you please help me for timeline email me on [email protected].

thank you for replying back for concern..