International Applicants
NANB Registration Requirements

Overview of Registration Requirements
*Please Note: As NANB launches this new process for IEN Registration, there will be expected delays as we adapt and have a large number of new applicants. We appreciate your patience.
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Step 1: Register with the IEN Navigation Service
All applicants who intend to apply to NANB should first register with the Province of New Brunswick IEN Navigation Service by sending an email to ienifenavigation@gnb.ca with “IEN Support Program” in the subject line. After review by the IEN Navigation Service team, eligible candidates will have access to a variety of financial supports for the credentialing process as well as assistance with immigration and employment opportunities through the Province of New Brunswick.
New Brunswick’s IEN Navigation service, designed specifically for internationally trained nurses (IENs) provides customized, client-centred assistance at no cost to the candidate. The service works with each candidate, helping them to navigate key challenges they might experience during the process to licensure, offering guidance surrounding:
- The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS);
- Provincial entry-to-practice competency assessments;
- Bridging programs available in the province; and
- Provincial regulatory bodies.
Step 2: Follow the process according to the country where you completed your nursing education
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Zone 1: Candidates educated in USA
Candidates who completed their nursing education in the USA must:
- Apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)
Submit documents and credentials to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) for verification and assessment. Once complete, the candidate will receive their NNAS advisory report within 24 hours unless further validation is necessary.
- Complete the NANB application
Once you have received your NNAS Advisory Report, you may apply to NANB by clicking here.
- Pay applicable fees
Once NANB has processed your application you will receive an invoice to the email address provided in your application from NANB.
- Demonstrate Currency of Practice
In the last five years, if you have:
- Practiced a minimum of 1125 hours as an RN you must provide evidence of such through the submission of a Currency of Practice Affidavit. If you have graduated from a registered nurse education program within the past 5 years your currency of practice is met.
- Fewer than 1125 hours as an RN, you may still apply and must provide a submission of a Currency of Practice Affidavit confirming the hours practiced. You will be required to complete the NANB Adaptation Program.
Candidates who have not practiced in the last 5 years or more will be required to complete a competency assessment.
- Demonstrated success on the entry-to-practice exam (NCLEX-RN).
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Zone 2: Candidates educated in New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom or Ireland
Candidates who completed their nursing education in New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom or Ireland must:
- Apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)
Submit documents and credentials to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) for verification and assessment. Once complete, the candidate will receive their NNAS advisory report within 24 hours unless further validation is necessary.
2. Complete the NANB application
Once you have received your NNAS Advisory Report, you may apply to NANB by clicking here.
3. Pay applicable fees
Once NANB has processed your application you will receive an invoice to the email address provided in your application from NANB.
4. Demonstrate Currency of Practice
In the last 5 years, if you have:
- Practiced a minimum of 1125 hours as an RN you must provide evidence of such through the submission of a Currency of Practice Affidavit. If you have graduated from a registered nurse education program within the past 5 years your currency of practice is met.
- Fewer than 1125 hours as an RN, you may still apply and must provide a submission of a Currency of Practice Affidavit confirming the hours practiced. You will be required to complete the NANB Adaptation Program.
NANB will issue a Temporary Registration Permit (TRP) with Restrictions on area of Practice and Condition to complete any identified education. The TRP will be issued for one year (in two 6-month increments) and during this time you must complete any additional education required by NANB within 1 year of application. In addition, you will be required to then complete the NANB Adaptation program.
Candidates who have not practiced in the last 5 years or more will be required to complete a competency assessment.
5. Complete Mandatory Courses
You must complete 2 courses: Professional Nursing in Canada and Professional Communication.
Depending on your language of choice you will be referred to the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), or the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB). These courses can be completed on-line from your home country or from anywhere in Canada.
Note: NANB will refer you to complete these courses as part of your application, you do not need to contact NBCC or CCNB until instructed to do so.
6. Demonstrated success on the entry-to-practice exam (NCLEX-RN).
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Zone 3: Candidates educated in France, Hong Kong, or Belgium
Candidates who completed their nursing education in France, Hong Kong, or Belgium must:
- Apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)
Submit documents and credentials to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) for verification and assessment. Once complete, the candidate will receive their NNAS advisory report within 24 hours unless further validation is necessary.
- Complete the NANB application
Once you have received your NNAS Advisory Report, you may apply to NANB by clicking here.
- Pay applicable fees
Once NANB has processed your application you will receive an invoice to the email address provided in your application from NANB.
4. Demonstrate Currency of Practice
In the last 5 years, if you have:
- Practiced a minimum of 1125 hours as an RN you must provide evidence of such through the submission of a Currency of Practice Affidavit. If you have graduated from a registered nurse education program within the past 5 years your currency of practice is met.
- Fewer than 1125 hours as an RN, you may still apply and must provide a submission of a Currency of Practice Affidavit confirming the hours practiced. You will be required to complete the NANB Adaptation Program.
NANB will issue a Temporary Registration Permit (TRP) with Conditions. The TRP will be issued for one year (in two 6-month increments) and during this time you must complete the NANB Adaptation Program.
Candidates who have not practiced in the last 5 years or more will be required to complete a competency assessment.
5. Complete Mandatory Courses
You must complete 2 courses: Professional Nursing in Canada and Professional Communication.
Depending on your language of choice you will be referred to the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), or the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB). These courses can be completed on-line from your home country or from anywhere in Canada.
Note: NANB will refer you to complete these courses as part of your application, you do not need to contact NBCC or CCNB until instructed to do so.
- Complete NANB’s Adaptation Program
NANB will issue a Temporary Registration Permit (TRP) with the condition that you complete NANB’s Adaptation Program within one year.
- Demonstrated success on the entry-to-practice exam (NCLEX-RN).
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Zone 4: Candidates educated in United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Philippines, Morocco, Lebanon, or Switzerland.
Candidates who completed their nursing education in United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Philippines, Morocco, Lebanon, or Switzerland must:
- Apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)
Submit documents and credentials to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) for verification and assessment. Once complete, the candidate will receive their NNAS advisory report within 24 hours unless further validation is necessary.
- Complete the NANB application
Once you have received your NNAS Advisory Report, you may apply to NANB by clicking here.
- Pay applicable fees
Once NANB has processed your application you will receive an invoice to the email address provided in your application from NANB.
4. Demonstrate Currency of Practice
In the last 5 years, if you have:
- Practiced a minimum of 1125 hours as an RN you must provide evidence of such through the submission of a Currency of Practice Affidavit. If you have graduated from a registered nurse education program within the past 5 years your currency of practice is met.
- Fewer than 1125 hours as an RN, you may still apply and must provide a submission of a Currency of Practice Affidavit confirming the hours practiced. You will be required to complete the NANB Adaptation Plus Program.
NANB will issue a Temporary Registration Permit (TRP) with Conditions. The TRP will be issued for one year (in two 6-month increments) and during this time you must complete the NANB Adaptation Plus Program.
Candidates who have not practiced in the last 5 years or more will be required to complete a competency assessment.
5. Complete Mandatory Courses
You must complete 4 courses: Professional Nursing in Canada, Professional Communication, Medication Administration, and Health Assessment.
Depending on your language of choice you will be referred to the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), or the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB). These courses can be completed on-line from your home country or from anywhere in Canada.
Note: NANB will refer you to complete these courses as part of your application, you do not need to contact NBCC or CCNB until instructed to do so.
- Complete NANB’s Adaptation Plus Program
NANB will issue a Temporary Registration Permit (TRP) with the condition that you complete NANB’s Adaptation Plus Program within one year.
- Demonstrated success on the entry-to-practice exam (NCLEX-RN).
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Zone 5: Candidates educated in all other countries
Candidates who completed their nursing education in any country other than the USA, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Hong Kong, Belgium, United Arab Emirates, India, Philippines, Morocco, Lebanon, or Switzerland must:
- Apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)
Submit documents and credentials to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) for verification and assessment. Once complete, the candidate will receive their NNAS advisory report within 24 hours unless further validation is necessary.
- Complete the NANB application
Once you have received your NNAS Advisory Report, you may apply to NANB by clicking here.
- Pay applicable fees
Once NANB has processed your application you will receive an invoice to the email address provided in your application from NANB.
- Meet NANB language Proficiency requirements by:
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- Achieving benchmark scores on an approved language proficiency test (NANB approved language tests);
- Holding current registration in another Canadian jurisdiction;
- Completing a nursing program in either English or French; or
- Providing other evidence of language proficiency for review.
- Demonstrate Currency of Practice
In the last 5 years, if you have:
- Practiced a minimum of 1125 hours as an RN you must provide evidence of such through the submission of a Currency of Practice Affidavit. If you have graduated from a registered nurse education program within the past 5 years your currency of practice is met.
- Fewer than 1125 hours as an RN, you may still apply and must provide a submission of a Currency of Practice Affidavit confirming the hours practiced. You will be required to complete the NANB Adaptation Program.
Candidates who have not practiced in the last 5 years or more will be required to complete a competency assessment.
- Complete a competency assessment
If the above requirements are satisfied, NANB will refer you to the Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS) to complete a competence assessment, the results of which will help guide further decisions in your pathway toward registration.
- Complete any necessary courses
You must complete any courses that NANB deems necessary to bridge the gaps between your competencies and the competencies of a Canadian educated Registered Nurse, identified by your competency assessment.
Depending on your language of choice you will be referred to the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), or the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB). These courses can be completed on-line from your home country or from New Brunswick.
Note: NANB will refer you to complete these courses as part of your application, you do not need to contact NBCC or CCNB until instructed to do so.
- Demonstrated success on the entry-to-practice exam (NCLEX-RN).
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FAQs
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Costs
This table indicates some of the costs related to becoming registered in New Brunswick.
Item *Fees Due NANB Application processing fee (non-refundable) $460.00 Due with NANB application NANB Registration fee Fee Schedule Due when eligible for registration. *Canadian dollars tax included
Other related costs may include:
- Competence assessment and bridging education courses (if required)
- Registered nurse examination
All applicants who intend to apply to NANB should first register with the Province of New Brunswick IEN Navigation Service by sending an email to ienifenavigation@gnb.ca with “IEN Support Program” in the subject line. After review by the IEN Navigation Service team, eligible candidates will have access to a variety of financial supports for the credentialing process as well as assistance with immigration and employment opportunities through the Province of New Brunswick.
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Links & Resources
- Immigration to Canada
- Immigration and Settlement in New Brunswick, Canada
- New Brunswick Multicultural Council’s Inc.
- Canadian Nurses Foundation- Scholarships and Bursaries
- Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses
- Entry-Level Competencies (ELCs) for the Practice of Registered Nurses in New Brunswick
- National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)
- New Brunswick CEN Re-Entry/IEN Bridging (NB CRIB) Program
- Nursing Community Assessment Service
- IEN Navigation Service