Consistent with the College’s legislated mandate to protect the public, in 2025, CRPNA Council began an extensive collaborative review with employers of the requirement to maintain professional liability insurance/protection as a condition of practice.
This review identified the need for an approach that meets both regulatory standards and evolving practice expectations. Under the Health Professions Act, all regulated nurses must maintain professional liability insurance/protection to practice.
Following thorough consultation and analysis, it was determined that Registered Psychiatric Nurses and the public are best served through the comprehensive professional liability protection offered by the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS).
What is Changing
As a result of this review, the CRPNA Council has approved an amendment to Bylaw 7.4, making professional liability protection through the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS) mandatory for all CRPNA registrants. Click here to view CRPNA Bylaws.
This change will take effect for the 2026/2027 renewal year and will be a mandatory condition for practice permit renewal during the upcoming registration period, as well as for all new registrants.
Why Professional Liability Protection Matters
- Protection of the public: Ensures patients have access to compensation in cases of harm arising from negligent care.
- Protection of the psychiatric nurse: Professional liability protection generally includes, in the event of a claim for financial compensation, legal defence for the health care provider and the payment, on their behalf, of compensation awarded to a patient by the courts. In addition to professional liability protection, CNPS offers legal and risk management advice and education as well as legal representation for a wide range of investigations or legal proceedings arising from professional practice, at no additional cost. (Please see Professional Liability Protection and Core Services - Canadian Nurses Protective Society for more information.)
- Alignment with legal requirements: Ensures registrants meet regulatory standards and workplace expectations for professional liability protection.
How This Benefits You
- Comprehensive professional liability protection and legal services: CNPS beneficiaries are eligible for up to $10 million in professional liability protection, along with legal representation, risk management services, and on-demand legal advice at no additional cost. CNPS Protection extends to legal proceedings arising from nursing practice undertaken while a CNPS beneficiary, regardless of when proceedings are initiated.
- CRPNA registrants benefit from a highly competitive group rate for CNPS professional liability protection. Your CNPS registration fee is $93 + GST*
- This fee includes retroactive CNPS professional liability protection. CRPNA registrants will be eligible for assistance with legal proceedings arising on or after June 1, 2026, from nursing care provided prior to June 1, 2026, up to $2 million per claim. This extended protection is critical, as legal proceedings may be initiated years after care has been provided. It means access to long-term protection for prior practice. *CNPS reviews fees annually, and adjustments may occur in future years.
- Streamlined registration and verification: CNPS beneficiary status will be integrated with CRPNA registration renewal, allowing real-time confirmation of professional liability protection and no need for submission of additional documents.
More Information Coming Soon
Maintaining appropriate professional liability protection is a fundamental component of safe and ethical psychiatric nursing practice. More information will be coming in the weeks ahead outlining the details of the CNPS registration process, benefits and additional optional programs, and information for RPNs in independent practice. Registrants are encouraged to review this requirement early to ensure timely compliance for the upcoming 2026/2027 renewal cycle.
