One criteria to work as a registered practical nurse in Canada is to write and pass the Canadian Practical Registration Examination (CPNRE). The purpose of this exam is to test your knowledge and skill for practical nursing. This is to ensure that you possess the competencies required for professional practice. In this article, we shared all you need to know about the CPNRE Exam.
CPNRE Exam Content
The CPNRE exam is a computer-based test offered in both English and French. It contains 165-170 multiple choice questions. You have 4 hours to complete all the questions. The exam content comprises 76 competencies which are divided into the following categories.
▪︎Professional, Ethical and Legal Practice: It contains 35 competencies and covers 15-25% of the exam.
▪︎Foundations of Practice: Contains 25 competencies and covers 60-70% of the exam.
▪︎Collaborative Practice: It contains 16 competencies and covers 10-20% of the exam.
Each category contains an equal ratio of independent questions and case-based questions based on hypothetical healthcare scenarios that require critical thinking. This is simply to test your application of practical nursing knowledge and skills in real life scenarios.
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CPNRE Result Grading
The Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE) uses a Pass-Fail grading system. The passmark varies from year to year. It is set according to the exam content and average performance of entry level nurses. Sometimes, the pass rate in previous exams is also taken into cognizance. A computer marks the exam under the supervision of a regulatory board. If you total number of correct answers are equal or higher than the
You will receive the exam results in your email weeks after writing the exam. If you pass, you will be licensed to practice in Canada. Unlike other certification exams, if you fail the CPNRE exam, you can request for a remark, especially if you have a borderline result that is close to the pass mark. However, this comes at an additional cost. You can also appeal the result with the regulatory authority of the province you’ve chosen to work.
You have a maximum of four times to write and pass the CPNRE exam. Each attempt comes with a registration fee of $600. After your fourth attempt, you will no longer be eligible to write the exam. With all that’s at stake, it’s best for you to put in the work and ace the exam at your first attempt.
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How to Apply
Follow these simple steps to apply for the CPNRE exam.
1. Apply to the regulatory authority of your preferred provincial or territory.
2. Once your application has been confirmed, register for the exam through Pearson VUE.
3. Afterwards, you will receive an “Authorization to Test” email with your Candidate ID and instructions on how to schedule your exam.
4. Make sure you schedule your appointment in advance according to the available exam dates.
5. You must pay the registration fee of $600 at least eight weeks prior to your exam date.
There you go! That’s all you need to know about the CPNRE exam. Now, you can prepare to write the exam in your preferred Pearson VUE exam centre. Remember, this is a critical step in your immigration journey. So, you must be prepared to give it your best shot.