Organizations that register nurses are referred to as regulatory authorities and are often called a college. Some practical nursing regulators are called an association.

You must be registered in the province or territory where you intend to work.

There is no national registration / license in Canada. Nursing registration and licensure are the responsibilities of the provinces and territories. Each has unique legislation governing nursing.

There are separate regulatory authorities within each province and territory for each of the regulated nursing professions: LPN/RPNs, Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Psychiatric Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners. The exception is the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM), College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), and the Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN). CNO and NSCN regulate LPN/RPNs, nurse practitioners and RNs.  BCCNM regulates LPNs, Nurse Practitioners, RNs and Registered Psychiatric Nurses.