Nursing
What do I need to practice nursing in Canada?
To practice as a nurse in Canada, you will need to:
Complete a university, college or other approved accredited nursing program.
Additional training or experience may be needed if you wish to specialize.
Become certified by the appropriate regulatory body for your province/territory. Requirements for certification can vary.
(Government of Canada, 2024)
Pass the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN) if you are pursuing a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) designation or pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) if you’re pursuing a Registered Nurse (RN) designation.
(Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators, 2024)
The profession of nursing is regulated on a provincial and territorial level. For a detailed look at specific licensing requirements, visit the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA).
What if I want to study abroad and return to Canada to work?
It is possible to pursue a nursing degree abroad and return to Canada to practice. To achieve a license to practice in Canada, you will need to:
Provide your academic credentials and any previous work history to be assessed and verified by the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS).
Complete the REx-PN exam if you’re pursuing an RPN designation or the NCLEX-RN exam if you’re pursuing an RN designation.
Register with the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body and complete additional requirements as mandated by the regulatory body.
(Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials, 2024)
How do I apply? To apply to a nursing program, you may apply through:
Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) for Ontario college programs.
Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) for Ontario university programs.
Individual program websites for other Canadian programs.
NursingCAS for U.S. programs.
How do I learn more about the nursing profession?
Book an appointment with the Centre for Career Development or attend a workshop or event to explore your options further.
Review the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and Ontario’s Learn and Stay Grant for further information.
Get involved with the University of Waterloo’s Campus Response Team (CRT).
Physician Assistant
What do I need to practice Physician Assistant in Canada?
To practice as a Physician Assistant (PA) in Canada, you’ll need to:
Complete a PA education program recognized by the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC).
Pass the PA Cert Exam (PACE).
(Canadian PA, n.d.)
The profession of PA is regulated on a provincial level in some provinces. For a detailed look at the specific licensing requirements, visit the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA).
What if I want to study abroad and return to Canada to work?
It is possible to pursue a PA degree in the U.S. and return to Canada to practice. In order to practice in Canada, you will need to:
Complete an ARC-PA accredited program in the U.S.
Complete the PA Cert Exam (PACE).
Register with the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body and complete additional requirements as mandated by the College.
Note: If you pursue your PA degree in a country other than the U.S., you will have to complete another PA program in the U.S. or Canada to work in Canada.
How do I apply?
To apply to a PA program, you may apply through:
Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) for Ontario university programs.
Individual program websites for other Canadian programs.
CASPA for U.S. programs.
How do I learn more about the PA profession?
Book an appointment with the Centre for Career Development or attend a workshop or event to explore your options further
Review additional information and resources on the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CPA) and Canadian PA Blog.
Veterinary Medicine
What do I need to practice veterinarian medicine in Canada?
To practice as a veterinarian in Canada, you will need:
To complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program recognized by the Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association (CVMA).
To pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination.
A provincial license to practice.
(Government of Canada, 2024)
The profession of veterinarian medicine is regulated on a provincial and territorial level, except the Yukon territory. For a detailed look at the specific licensing requirements, visit the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).
What if I want to study abroad and return to Canada to work?
It is possible to pursue a DVM degree abroad and return to Canada to practice. Requirements may vary.
Consult the applicable provincial or territorial regulatory bodies to determine licensing and education requirements. There will be different examination and assessment pathways depending on the accreditation status of the international program you completed.
How do I apply?
Individual program websites for Canadian programs.
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) for U.S. programs.
How do I learn more about the veterinary profession?
Book an appointment with the Centre for Career Development or attend a workshop or event to explore your options further.
Engage in clubs and events with other students who share your interests through the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA).
Review additional information and resources on the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) website and the Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association (CVMA) website.
References
Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators. (2024). What you need to know about the NCLEX-RN. https://www.ccrnr.ca/nclex.html
Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials. (2024). Registered nurses (Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses) (3012.1). Council of Ministers of Education, Canada. https://www.cicic.ca/938/registered_nurses_(registered_nurses_and_registered_psychiatric_nurses).canada?id=56
Canadian PA. (n.d.). How to become a physician assistant in Canada. https://canadianpa.ca/blog/becomeapa
Government of Canada. (2024, July 23). Registered Nurse (R.N.) in Canada. https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/requirements/993/ca
Government of Canada. (2024, July 23). Veterinarian in Canada. https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/requirements/4127/ca