Nursing Program and English Language Proficiency Requirements ...

Suite 302, Starlite Gallery
7071 Bayers Road
Halifax, NS
B3L 2C2
Nursing Program and English Language Proficiency Requirements for
Internationally Educated Practical Nurses (IENs)
Graduates from schools of practical nursing outside of Canada applying for their
initial or first registration in Nova Scotia, must have;
1. Completed a practical nursing program or equivalent, provided by an approved School of
Practical Nursing that included:
a. at least 500 hours of theory
b. at least 1000 hours of clinical experiences
i. medical, surgical, obstetrical nursing
ii. nursing of children
iii. psychiatric nursing
2. Demonstrated English Language proficiency for applicants whose first language is NOT English.
Required Scores for the English Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
Name of Test Minimum Passing Score Website
Canadian English Language Writing 7 Speaking 8 www.celban.org
Benchmarks
Listening 10 Reading 8
Assessment for Nurses
(CELBAN)
Total N/A
International English Language
Testing
System (IELTS) (Academic Only)
Writing 7 Speaking 7 www.ielts.org
Listening 7.5 Reading 6.5
Total 7
Note: we may be able to download your
test results directly from the company if
you provide us with your Test Report
Form Number
Please note: Applicants must achieve the minimum passing score in each section of the test. Scores
must be obtained in one sitting of the English language proficiency test. We do not accept results that
combine scores from more than one test or more than one sitting of the same test.

Expiration of the English LPT
The English LPT results will expire two years from the date the test was completed. If the English LPT
results expire before an applicant has been approved to register with the College, the file is placed on
hold. Applicants with a file on hold cannot;
1. be approved to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE);
2. qualify for a license
3. register with the College.
Applicants must submit updated English LPT result to restore the application process. Individual
applicants are responsible to monitor the expiration dates of their LPT results.
Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE)
Most applicants, who meet the requirements for nursing education programs and language proficiency,
are required to write and successfully pass the CPNRE exam.
Graduates from schools of practical nursing or equivalent outside of Canada, who are
unable to provide evidence of their nursing program and/or status in their own
country, are required to:
1. Provide a notarized statement which includes following information:
a. Name used by the applicant when enrolled in the program
b. Name and location of school of nursing
c. Length of the program
d. Date of entrance and completion of the program
e. A list of theory and clinical courses ( programs must have had at least 500 hours of
theory and at least 1000 hours of clinical experiences in medical, surgical, obstetrical
nursing, nursing of children and psychiatric nursing)
2. Demonstrate English Language proficiency (see above scoring requirements)
3. Write and successfully pass the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE)
Applicants who do not meet the theory and clinical hour requirement will be contacted by a Registration
staff member regarding a competency assessment. Applicants may be eligible for a PLAR (Prior Learning
Assessment Recognition) at the Nova Scotia Community College.

For more information on registration requirements for graduates from outside of Canada, contact:
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Nova Scotia
Suite 302, Starlite Gallery
7071 Bayers Road
Halifax Nova Scotia
B3L 2c2
Tel: 902-423-8517, Toll-free (NS) 1-800-718-8517
Fax: 902-425-6811
Email: info@clpnns.ca
For more information about the PLAR program and assessments contact:
Karen Sigouin, Practical Nursing Program Manager
Nova Scotia Community College
Tel: (902) 491-4717 Email: karen.sigouin@nscc.ca
Revised: November 2012