Internationally Educated Psychiatric Nurses wanting to practice in Alberta must first complete a credential assessment via one of the two CRPNA approved pathways. Once an applicant has received a Credential Assessment Letter confirming substantial equivalence, they may apply to register for the RPNC Exam and, if they meet the registration requirements, they may apply to CRPNA for a provisional permit. A provisional permit is a time-limited permit to practice while awaiting successful completion of the RPNC Exam after which the provisional permit holder will be automatically placed on the Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) Register.
A Provisional Permit holder can practice only while supervised in a manner satisfactory to the Registrar or Registration Committee. Defined as:
- Not to be in charge of a unit or work alone on a night shift;
- May use the title "Psychiatric Nurse" or initial "PN".
Supervision can be direct or indirect remote:
- Indirect remote supervision: a Regulated Nurse provides the supervision and is readily available by phone or on another adjacent unit;
- This means a Regulated Nurse is on the unit or in the same location for guidance and consultation but is not directly at the side of the PN (graduated psychiatric nurse). In community health settings or in home care, the Regulated Nurse must be physically present in the clinic setting or in the client’s home.
Please follow the application instructions below to apply.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO MEET THEM
- Application supporting documents must be authentic and be provided in English. If these documents are in a language other than English, applicants must have them translated by a professional translator showing their signature and seal, and must be submitted with a copy of the original document.
- Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with the application and supporting documentation.
- For ongoing audit procedures, at any time, the College may request original documentation to support the application.
- CRPNA provides staff and the Registration Committee with training in all areas that are relevant to make fair and effective registration decisions.
- CRPNA maintains a policy-and-procedure manual for staff to ensure Applicants are provided with fair, defensible, and consistent decision-making.
REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR ONLINE APPLICATION
REQUIREMENT
Applicants must provide proof of identification and current contact details.
Here is how an applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement
An applicant can provide personal information and contact details by answering all mandatory application fields and, they can show their identity by providing two (2) pieces of CLEAR and VISIBLE identification documents such as:
- Birth Certificate; or
- Driver's License; or
- Passport; or
- valid Indian status or Métis citizenship card; or
- Authentic, valid and current government-issued photo identification.
If an applicant's legal name is different than the name on any of their application verification documents, they must include a copy of legal documents that verify their name change. Example: a marriage certificate or a legal name change.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
If an applicant does not have the required proof of identity, they still have options. Applicants can provide a statutory declaration confirming their identity.
Note: All documents written in a language other than English are required to be translated by a professional translator showing their signature and seal, and must be submitted with a copy of the original document.
REQUIREMENT
An applicant must obtain a criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector check.
Here is how an applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement
An applicant can demonstrate they meet this requirement by providing a copy of the results of their criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector check completed by their local police service dated within six (6) months before submitting their application for registration.
NOTE:
*3rd party criminal record checks are not accepted
*Any Police Information Check / Criminal Record Check over 6 months WILL NOT be accepted.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
If an applicant from another country is not able to obtain a criminal record check with a vulnerable sector check, they still have options. They can provide:
- proof that they requested a criminal record check from the correct authorities and a letter explaining all the efforts they have taken to get one; or
- proof of employment in psychiatric nursing in prior country
CRITERIA USED TO ASSESS THE REQUIREMENT
This requirement is assessed using Health Professions Act, Part 2, Registration, Application for Registration 28(1)
REQUIREMENT
All applicants applying for registration must be sufficiently proficient in the English language to be able to provide professional services.
If English is not the applicant's first language, the College reviews the evidence to determine if the applicant has demonstrated the ability to read, write, listen and speak at a level that permits them to practice psychiatric nursing safely in Alberta.
(Note: English is not an applicant's first language, if it was NOT the first language learned at home in childhood and it is NOT the first language that is primarily used for reading, writing, listening and speaking.)
Here is how an applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement
An applicant can show English language proficiency by providing the following:
- English Language competence must be demonstrated by completing one of the approved English Language tests.
- Achieve at least the minimum scores in all components of the test.
- Ensure test results are less than two years old when applying. If the results are more than two years old, the test will have to be re-taken and submitted before an applicant can proceed.
*Applicant must arrange for the original test to be sent directly from the test centre to CRPNA.
For a list of acceptable language tests and the revised benchmarks, please click here.
NOTE: CELBAN Online Computer-Based Exam and Virtual Interview
The CRPNA will accept the CELBAN computer based exam with virtual interview as an acceptable English language proficiency test for the purposes of demonstrating English language proficiency for internationally educated psychiatric nurses (IEPNs).
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
If an applicant does not have evidence of English language proficiency, they may have options. Contact CRPNA to discuss further options based on your specific circumstances.
REQUIREMENT
All applicants must participate in the Continuing Competence Program (CCP). Click here for program requirements.
Here is how an applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement
An applicant can show program completion by:
- completing the CCP Enhancement Plan along with the appropriate section A, B, C and/or D. Applicants do not need to submit it with their application; however, if the Registrar/Deputy Registrar requests it, the applicant must be able to provide this completed document; and
- answering "Yes" to the attestation statement on the application form
REQUIREMENT
All applicants who apply to register to practice in Alberta must complete the College’s approved prevention training on sexual abuse and sexual misconduct toward patients.
Here is how an applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement:
An applicant can show completion of modules by providing a copy of the certificate of successful completion of the Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct modules.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
There are no alternative means of meeting this requirement.
Training Access
Click HERE to access the Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Modules. There is no cost to take this training. Modules take approximately one and a half to two hours to complete
REQUIREMENT
The Health Professions Act and College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA) Bylaws require that all Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) hold Professional Liability Insurance (PLI). Council has determined that all RPNs must hold Professional Liability Insurance in the amount of no less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence.
Professional Liability Insurance has two purposes: Protection of the Public and Protection of the RPN.
Here is how an applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement:
An applicant can demonstrate they meet this requirement :
- An applicant must attest to having PLI by Completing the mandatory application fields and uploading proof of PLI documents.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
There are no alternative means of meeting this requirement
REQUIREMENT
An applicant must submit an employer reference form completed by the applicant's current employer(s) where the applicant is currently or was employed
Here is how an applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement
An applicant can meet this requirement by having their employer complete the Employer Reference form and having the employer submit it directly to CRPNA.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
If an applicant cannot supply the required employer reference, they still have options. They can contact the Registrar/Deputy Registrar.
REQUIREMENT
An applicant must have recent professional experience practicing as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)
Here is how an applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement
An applicant can demonstrate they meet this requirement by:
- the registrar or the registration committee is satisfied under section 28(2)(c) of the Act that the applicant has a combination of education, experience, practice, or other qualifications that demonstrate the competence required for registration,
- the applicant has, within the time specified by the Registrar or the Registration Committee, passed the registration examination approved by the Council, and
- the applicant has successfully completed the jurisprudence requirement approved by the Council, if any.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
If an applicant does not have the required proof of professional practice experience, they still have options. they can:
- return to, and practice, in a jurisdiction where they are registered and subsequently provide currency of practice information to CRPNA; or,
- have an evaluation that the College approves, and successfully complete any additional training, experience, examinations, or assessments the College identifies based on the length of time it has been since they last practiced.
Criteria Used to Assess the Requirement
This requirement is assessed using the Alberta Registered Psychiatric Nurses Profession Regulation.
REQUIREMENT
Applicant must be a Canadian citizen or they must be lawfully permitted to work in Canada.
Here is how an applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement
An applicant can show they are lawfully permitted to work in Canada by providing a copy of their:
- citizenship certificate or card; or,
- Birth certificate from a Canadian Province or territory
- authentic, valid and current Canadian passport
- Canadian work permit.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
If an applicant does not have proof they are a Canadian citizen or lawfully permitted to work in Canada, they still have options. An Applicant can provide a copy of their authentic, valid and current:
- Indian status or Metis citizenship card; or,
- permanent resident card; or,
- landed immigrant papers.
CRITERIA USED TO ASSESS THE REQUIREMENT
This requirement is assessed using the Health Professions Act, Part 2, Registration, Application for Registration 28(1) and the College Bylaws.
REQUIREMENT
An applicant must successfully complete the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNC Exam) or be registered to sit the next examination.
Here is how an applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement
An applicant can show successful completion of the RPNCE or eligibility to sit the examination by providing:
- Confirmation of eligibility from one of the other three regulatory bodies in Canada; or
- Proof of an approved RPNC exam application
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
There are no alternative means of meeting this requirement.
HOW TO APPLY
RPNC EXAM APPLICATION
I HAVE a CRPNA username and password, a Credential Assessment Letter, and I am eligible to submit my application for Eligibility to Write the RPNC Exam.
LOGIN TO ACCOUNT
I HAVE a CRPNA username and password and need to submit a registration application.
VIEW APPLICATION STATUS
I wish to view/edit my submitted registration application.
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