Multiple Provincial License: Is it possible?

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Apr 15, 2011

You may certainly hold multiple provincial registrations if you wish. but considering that annual regular registration in most Canadian provinces runs around $350-500 (EVERY year) it's not usually fiscally desirable. And then there are the differing continuing competency requirements, keeping them straight and getting them filled. But by all means, if you want to have more than one at a time, go for it. When you receive your second or subsequent registration it's up to you to notify the province if you no longer wish to maintain your registration; if you choose to let it go, they'll refund a portion of your fee. Associate registration is always an option and it's fairly inexpensive; you will not be able to practice as an RN in that province while holding associate membership though.

CarribRN · Apr 16, 2011

You may certainly hold multiple provincial registrations if you wish. but considering that annual regular registration in most Canadian provinces runs around $350-500 (EVERY year) it's not usually fiscally desirable. And then there are the differing continuing competency requirements, keeping them straight and getting them filled. But by all means, if you want to have more than one at a time, go for it. When you receive your second or subsequent registration it's up to you to notify the province if you no longer wish to maintain your registration; if you choose to let it go, they'll refund a portion of your fee. Associate registration is always an option and it's fairly inexpensive; you will not be able to practice as an RN in that province while holding associate membership though.

Exactly the info I needed.

thank you so much.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 16, 2011

Jan

Quick question. How do we stand in regards to natural disaster? I know I have ticked to say I wish to help in an event but what if the event is in another province? Are there policies set down to enable licensed nurses in other provinces to help out in these cases?

joanna73, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2011

I currently hold 2 licenses. One for ON, one for AB. I am originally from ON, moved to AB for work. I've been debating about not renewing my ON license. I probably won't. Few jobs there, and I'd take a pay cut if I decided to move back. It isn't worth it for me.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Apr 16, 2011

Silverdragon, I'll have to look into that. I don't know the answer.

Joanna, that's the way a lot of people feel. And should you, for some wild and wooly reason, decide at a later date to reinstate your ON license, the process is pretty simple. You just have to apply and pay the fee; there will need to be some supporting documentation, but no assessment. It's not like seeking initial registration; they already have a file for you.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Apr 16, 2011

The most recent information I can find that is national in scope (Canadian Policy research Networks) is from 2006. It indicates that most provinces have a special fast-track temporary restricted registration procedure that would allow nurses from other provinces to provide care in disaster situations. It seems to be more of a patchwork than a national strategy with well-delineated steps to follow. The report indicates that a national agency for the assessment of credentials and the issuing of registrations would be most useful for these kinds of circumstances.

PEI's Public Health Act has a clause that states:

"22.4 (1) Where an order has been made by the Lieutenant Governor in

Council declaring a state of public health emergency under subsection

18(2), and authorization may be necessary by the licensing body of a

health profession to enable a person to practise a function in an

emergency, notwithstanding that the qualifications for licensure may not

be fully met or that all of the required evidence of qualification is not

provided, the licensing body or the designate of the licensing body of the

health profession, as the case may be, may grant a special limited license

to a person who, in the licensing body’s opinion, is capable of practising

such function with such privileges or restrictions as may be determined

concerning the duration or scope of the function permitted.

(2) The term and particular conditions of the limited license shall be

clearly indicated on the license and recorded in the register of the

relevant licensing body."

Does that help?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 17, 2011

Thanks Jan, just wondered because we know how slow things move in general so cn't afford to move slowly in a disaster because you need people on the ground sooner rather than later

kimmy123 · Jan 14, 2016

Also, i wonder, if one is a licensed RN in good standing in one province, can another province refuse licensing in its jurisdiction? Thanks.

dishes, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2016

Also, i wonder, if one is a licensed RN in good standing in one province, can another province refuse licensing in its jurisdiction? Thanks.

Anything is possible when it comes to responses from provincial college of nurses. The only thing that is assured is that you will not have to write a licensing exam if you are already registered in another province.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jan 15, 2016

Most people don't hold multiple permits to practice because the cost of doing so is prohibitive. At roughly $600 each, who wants to be shelling out that kind of money annually if they don't have to?