About Find a Nurse

The register to confirm that a nurse is eligible to practice in Ontario.

Find a Nurse is an easy-to-use online register that provides information to the public about nurses in Ontario. It contains information about a nurse’s business address, a nurse’s ability to practice in Ontario, restrictions on their practice, and other information the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is required to maintain.

For more details about the information you will find here and how it may be used, please see the Disclaimer.

General Types of Information

General

This section contains general information about a nurse’s current status. It indicates whether the nurse is entitled to practice and if there are any restrictions on the nurse’s practice.

The section includes the nurse’s current name (and former name if there is one), category and class of registration, registration number, membership status, and date of initial registration. It also identifies specialty certificates for Nurse Practitioners (NPs).

In Ontario, there are two categories of nurses: Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). A nurse can be both an RN and RPN.

The General section also includes the following information about health profession corporations: name; status; the date when CNO issued it a certificate of authorization; and employment information.

Registration History

All information about the nurse’s membership with CNO, including all changes to the nurse’s category, class and membership status.

Information about registration or licensure in other professions or with other regulators is also required to be posted.

Practice Information

Any information CNO is required to post. This includes current practice restrictions, results of past discipline hearings and any other information required to be posted.

If there is information under this section, one or more of the following headings will appear:

  1. Reasons Why This Nurse is Not Entitled to Practice

    This section includes details about why the nurse cannot practice.

    A nurse may not be entitled to practice because:

    • a CNO committee orders it
    • the nurse voluntarily agrees to it with CNO
    • the category, class or status of the nurse’s certificate of registration does not permit it

  2. Current Practice Restrictions

    This section includes details about restrictions on the nurse’s practice. Restrictions appear on the nurse’s certificate of registration when a CNO committee orders it, or when the nurse tells CNO that they will comply with certain terms.

    Restrictions can also result from different registration certificate classes (such as Extended, Temporary or Special Assignment). For example, an NP may not be able to prescribe controlled substances because Health Canada has informed pharmacists or pharmaceutical companies they cannot do this. If there is a Health Canada Notice restriction, there will be a link to the Health Canada Notice.

  3. Current Voluntary Practice Restrictions

    This section includes details about voluntary restrictions. This means that the nurse has voluntarily agreed to restrictions on their certificate of registration.

  4. CNO Hearings Pending

    The nurse has been referred for a hearing before CNO’s Discipline or Fitness to Practise Committee. The Register includes the date of the referral and the name of the committee. Referrals to the Discipline Committee also include:

    • a summary of allegations against the nurse
    • any scheduled CNO hearing dates
    • a link to the full Notice of Hearing document, containing dates, locations and times of the nurse’s disciplinary hearing, allegations against the nurse and possible penalties that can be imposed
    • status of hearings

  5. Results of Past CNO Hearings

    CNO’s Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) refers a nurse to the Discipline Committee for a hearing when the nature of the alleged professional misconduct and/or incompetence is serious.

    When a panel makes a finding of professional misconduct and/or incompetence, they can revoke or suspend a nurse’s certificate of registration, and/or impose specific terms, conditions and/or limitations on it for a period of time. This section lists the date of the decision, a summary of the results, the date when the decision was published in CNO’s magazine, The Standard (when applicable), and a link to the full decision.

  6. Cautions

    This means the nurse has been required to appear before a panel of CNO’s Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee to hear concerns about the nurse’s practice. The goal is to improve the nurse’s practice.

  7. Remedial Activities

    The nurse is required to complete education activities that the ICRC orders. The goal is to improve the nurse's practice. The activities are outlined in a Specified Continuing Education and Remediation Program (SCERP) order.

  8. Charges

    The nurse has been charged with an offence under:

    • the Criminal Code (Canada)
    • the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada)
    • any offence in any jurisdiction that is considered relevant to the nurse’s suitability to practice

  9. Restrictions Imposed by a Court

    The nurse has been charged with an offence under the law, and the court has placed restrictions or bail conditions (or other conditions of release) on the nurse that will remain in place until the court removes them. Restrictions are posted on the Register if they are:

    • following a charge for an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada)
    • following a charge for an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada)
    • subsequent to a finding of guilt
    • pending appeal or any variations to those conditions
    • any restriction imposed by a court that relates to or otherwise impacts a member’s practice

  10. Findings of Guilt

    CNO is required by law to post certain information on its public register if CNO knows that a member was found guilty of an offence, including under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada), or any other offence in any jurisdiction that is considered relevant to the nurse’s suitability to practice nursing.

    Guilty findings are not posted, or the postings are removed, in certain circumstances, including:

    • if a record suspension or a pardon has been granted, if known to CNO,
    • one year after an absolute discharge has been ordered, except if there is a discipline finding or ongoing CNO proceeding based on the finding of guilt,
    • three years after a conditional discharge has been ordered, except if there is a discipline finding or ongoing CNO proceeding based on the finding of guilt, or
    • if the finding has been overturned on appeal, if known to CNO.

  11. Restrictions Imposed by a Lawful Authority

    This means that a lawful authority has placed restrictions on the nurse. An example of a lawful authority that may impose restrictions is the police.

    The restrictions (for example, a peace bond) will remain in place until the lawful authority removes them. These restrictions are posted on the Register if they relate to, or affect, the nurse’s practice.

  12. Restrictions Imposed by Another Regulatory Body

    A nursing regulator or an oversight body for another profession has placed restrictions on the nurse.

  13. Findings in Another Regulatory Body

    Another regulator or licensing authority has issued one of the following about a nurse:

    • a disciplinary finding
    • a finding of professional misconduct or incompetence
    • or other like finding

  14. Findings of Negligence

    Findings of professional negligence, made by a court of law, that the nurse’s care fell below the accepted standard of practice of the profession.

  15. Inspections

    This section includes the outcomes of inspections conducted by CNO.

  16. Other Information

    The nurse and CNO have agreed that additional information should appear on the Register, or the Registration, Fitness to Practise or Discipline Committees have ordered it posted.

If you have any questions about the Practice Information section, contact CNO’s Monitoring team at:

Phone: 416-928-0900, ext. 7683
Toll free in Canada: 1-800-387-5526, ext. 7683
Fax: 416-928-1914
Email: [email protected]

Employment Information

This section contains the nurse’s employment information from the last three years. This information may be reported by the nurse or the nurse’s employer to CNO. Business address(es) and phone number(s) listed in this section may be related to a place of nursing practice, a nursing agency or non-nursing employer.

DEFINITIONS

Administrative Suspension

The registrant’s membership is not current due to the member’s failure to pay a required fee or to submit information requested by CNO. If CNO suspends an individual’s certificate of registration, they can no longer practice nursing or use the title “nurse” in Ontario.

Authorized to prescribe medications specified in regulation

The Registered Nurse (RN) has completed Council-approved education which authorizes them to:

  • prescribe medications that are specified in regulation under the Nursing Act, 1991, and
  • communicate a diagnosis made by the RN for the purpose of prescribing.

For more information about the education required, the medications and the practice standards that support RNs to prescribe safely go to: https://www.cno.org/en/learn-about-standards-guidelines/rn-prescribing/

Board of Inquiry

See Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee

Cancelled

The nurse’s certificate of registration has been cancelled by the Executive Director because they did not meet the entry requirements for a class of registration and, therefore, should not have been registered.

Category

In Ontario, nursing is one profession with two categories of care providers: Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs).

Complaints Committee

See Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee

Current

A nurse who has a certificate from CNO that is not revoked, expired, suspended, voluntarily surrendered, resigned or deceased.

Deceased

The individual has passed away. The Register includes the date if it is known to CNO.

Discipline Committee

A statutory committee that holds hearings when the ICRC has referred a nurse because the nature of the alleged professional misconduct and/or incompetence is serious. When a panel makes a finding of professional misconduct and/or incompetence, they can revoke or suspend a nurse’s certificate of registration, and/or impose specific terms, conditions and/or limitations on the certificate of registration for a period of time. Most committee decisions are published in CNO’s magazine, The Standard and on CanLII Connects; a Canadian legal database of case commentaries and summaries. Decisions are also added to the nurse’s profile on CNO’s public register, Find a Nurse, indefinitely.

Emergency Assignment Class

A registration class that becomes an option when the provincial government requests the assistance of CNO’s help by issuing Emergency Assignment Class memberships to qualified nurses.

Entitled to practice with No Restrictions

The nurse is a current member of CNO, can practice nursing in Ontario, and has no terms, conditions and/or limitations on their practice.

Entitled to practice with Voluntary Restrictions

The nurse is a current member of CNO, but has terms, conditions and/or limitations on their practice by voluntary agreement between the nurse and CNO. The restrictions appear in the nurse’s profile.

Entitled to practice with Restrictions

The nurse is a current member of CNO, but has terms, conditions and/or limitations on their practice. These may be in place as a result of:

  1. Restrictions by committee
    A CNO statutory committee has ordered that terms, conditions and/or limitations appear on the nurse’s registration certificate.
  2. Restrictions by voluntary agreement
    The nurse’s practice is restricted by voluntary agreement between the nurse and CNO.
  3. Restrictions by class
    Terms, conditions and/or limitations on a registration certificate that are specific to a class of membership (e.g., Temporary Class).

The restrictions appear in the nurse’s profile.

Entitled to practice. Cannot prescribe controlled substances until specialized education is completed

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a current member of CNO and is Entitled to Practice with No Restrictions. Ontario NPs have the authority to prescribe controlled substances if they successfully complete approved controlled substances education. NPs who choose not to complete controlled substances education are not authorized to prescribe controlled substances, as reflected on Find a Nurse. For more information on controlled substances and what competencies are taught in controlled substances education, visit the NPs and Prescribing Controlled Substances page.

Entitled to practice with restrictions. Cannot prescribe controlled substances until specialized education is completed

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a current member of CNO and is Entitled to Practice with Restrictions. Ontario NPs have the authority to prescribe controlled substances if they successfully complete approved controlled substances education. NPs who choose not to complete controlled substances education are not authorized to prescribe controlled substances, as reflected on Find a Nurse. For more information on controlled substances and what competencies are taught in controlled substances education, visit the NPs and Prescribing Controlled Substances page.

Executive Committee

See Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee

Expired

A nurse’s certificate of registration is no longer valid and they are not entitled to practice or use the title “nurse” in Ontario. Expiration can result when a nurse fails to meet a condition of continuing membership, such as submitting a fee or providing information requested by CNO, or if they exceed the time limit of a specific class of membership (e.g., Temporary Class).

Extended Class

Registered Nurses in the Extended Class, or RN(EC)s, are also known as Nurse Practitioners (NPs). They have an expanded scope of practice and legislated authority to diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe pharmaceuticals and perform procedures. NPs have specialty certificates (see Specialty Certificate).

Fitness to Practise (FTP) Committee

A CNO statutory committee that determines whether a nurse is suffering from a physical or mental condition or disorder that is affecting, or could affect, their practice. The committee can revoke or suspend a nurse’s certificate of registration, and/or have specific terms, conditions and/or limitations imposed on it.

Former Names

All previous names a nurse has used since the date of their initial registration with CNO.

General Class

The most common class of registration for nurses in Ontario. Both Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses belong in this class. General class members must show experience practising as a nurse within the past three years.

Hospital Privileges

Authority that a hospital grants that allows an NP (who is not employed by a specific hospital) — to diagnose, prescribe for, or treat patients at that hospital.

Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC)

A CNO statutory committee that consists of nurses and members of the public who screen matters about public complaints or reports. Since June 4, 2009, the ICRC has combined the functions of the Board of Inquiry and the Complaints Committee, with the screening function of the Executive Committee.

The ICRC reviews written materials and determines whether a hearing is required or if some other action would address the public interest. Depending on the matter under review, the ICRC considers the results of a health inquiry or misconduct investigation, or may accept a resolution that the nurse and complainant propose.

Jurisdiction

Power or right of a legal or political agency to exercise its authority over a person, subject matter, or territory.

Member

An individual to whom CNO has issued a certificate of registration that is not currently revoked, suspended, cancelled, voluntarily surrendered or resigned.

A member can use the title “nurse,” “Registered Nurse,” “Registered Practical Nurse,” and/or “Nurse Practitioner,” (or a variation, abbreviation or equivalent in another language) as appropriate. They are entitled to practice nursing in Ontario.

Non-Practising Class

A class of registration CNO offers to nurses who are not currently practicing nursing, but who want to remain members of CNO.

Members in this class cannot practice nursing in Ontario.

Not Entitled to practice

The nurse does not have the authority to practice nursing in Ontario. This classification may be in place for one of the following reasons:

  1. Not Entitled to practice by committee
    A CNO statutory committee has ordered that the nurse’s certificate of registration be suspended or revoked, or ordered posting on the Register that the nurse is not entitled to practice.
  2. Not Entitled to practice by voluntary agreement
    The nurse is not entitled to practice as a result of a voluntary agreement between the nurse and CNO.
  3. Not Entitled to practice by class or status
    Refers to restrictions of a membership class (e.g., Non-Practising Class) or status (e.g., resigned, suspended or revoked for failing to renew membership).

Nurse

“Nurse” is a protected title in Ontario. Only members of CNO can use the titles “nurse,” “Registered Nurse,” “Registered Practical Nurse,” and/or “Nurse Practitioner” (or a variation, abbreviation or equivalent in another language) in the province.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

NPs are Registered Nurses in CNO’s Extended Class. They have an expanded scope of practice and legislated authority to diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe pharmaceuticals and perform procedures.

Profession

An occupation, practice, or vocation requiring mastery of a complex set of knowledge and skills through formal education and/or practical experience. Every organized profession (nursing, accounting, law, medicine, etc.) is governed by its respective professional body. Nurses who consider themselves to be part of another profession must report this information to the CNO.

Quality Assurance (QA) Committee

A CNO statutory committee responsible for ensuring that members comply with all aspects of CNO’s QA Program. The QA Program is designed to promote lifelong learning and continuing competence among nurses.

Registered Nurse (RN)

One of two categories of care providers within the nursing profession in Ontario. RNs have met the entry-to-practice requirements to become an RN. This includes successful completion of both an approved nursing program and the national registration exam.

Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)

One of two categories of care providers within the nursing profession in Ontario. RPNs have met the entry-to-practice requirements to become an RPN, including successful completion of both an approved practical nursing program and the national practical nursing registration exam.

Registrant

An individual to whom CNO has issued a certificate of registration.

Registration

The act of recording a name or information on an official list by a governing body.

Registration Committee

A CNO statutory committee that assesses an applicant's qualifications to practice nursing in Ontario. The Registration Committee determines whether further study is required for the applicant to meet program or examination requirements, or if any terms, conditions, and/or limitations should be imposed on the person’s certificate of registration when they are registered with CNO.

Resigned

The nurse has relinquished their membership with CNO. An individual who has resigned from CNO can no longer practice nursing or use the title “nurse” in Ontario.

Revoked

The nurse’s certificate of registration has been revoked as a result of an order from the Discipline Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee, or by the Executive Director in accordance with the regulations of the Nursing Act, 1991. Once revoked, an individual can no longer practice nursing or use the title “nurse” in Ontario.

Shareholders

A term used by CNO to define people who own shares in a health profession corporation. All shareholders in a health profession corporation must be members of CNO, just as officers and directors of the corporation must also be shareholders.

Special Assignment Class

A short-term, non-renewable registration for individuals, usually from outside of Canada, who have an appointment or assignment as an RN or RPN with an approved facility in Ontario, and who do not plan to stay in the province for more than one year. Individuals in this class can only practice within the scope of their appointment or assignment with the facility named in the certificate of registration and under defined terms, conditions and/or limitations in their registration certificate.

Specialty Certificate

A CNO document issued to an NP that designates the patient population for which the NP is qualified to provide care. Currently, there are three specialty certificates: Primary Health Care, Pediatrics and Adult.

Suspended

The registrant’s membership is not current due to an order that a CNO statutory committee imposed. A suspended member is not entitled to practice nursing for a specified period of time or until they meet specific conditions. If CNO suspends an individual’s certificate of registration, they can no longer practice nursing or use the title “nurse” in Ontario.

Temporary Class

A class of registration for individuals who have met all requirements for General Class registration as an RN or RPN, except successful completion of the national registration exam.

This registration is granted for up to six months. It restricts practice to a specific employment setting and sets specific terms, conditions and/or limitations on the nurse’s practice. Within the six-month period, the nurse must successfully complete the exam and apply for registration in the General Class. If they do not do this, their Temporary Class registration will expire.

Undertaking

A formal, professional promise that a member gives to CNO that they will comply with certain terms.

Voluntary Surrender

When a nurse agrees with CNO not to practice nursing until they meet specified conditions.

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