A certificate of practice is renewed annually. The registration year of the College begins on the first day of January and ends on the last day of December.

To renew a certificate of practice a Registered Psychiatric Nurse must establish that they:

• have engaged in the practice of registered psychiatric nursing as a registered psychiatric nurse for a minimum of 1,400 hours within the five-year period immediately before the year for which the renewal is sought, or,
• have a) successfully completed a course of instruction, or b) passed the registered psychiatric nurse entry-to-practice examination, within the four-year period immediately before the year for which renewal is sought.

Every fifth year, a member must also provide the registrar with a satisfactory criminal record check, child abuse registry check and adult abuse registry check at the time of renewing their certificate of practice.

The registrar may request additional information respecting the criminal record check, child abuse registry check and adult abuse registry check provided by the member per the General Regulation.

Background Checks Required to Renew a Certificate of Practice

Registered Psychiatric Nurses are required to submit a criminal record check that includes a vulnerable sector search, a child abuse registry check, and an adult abuse registry check (collectively the “Background Checks”) every fifth year to renew a certificate of practice.

After the initial submission, the Background Checks are to be submitted every fifth year.

RPNs who need to submit the Background Checks to renew their certificate of practice will be sent an email in advance of the renewal period notifying them of the requirement. Do not submit the Background Checks for renewal unless you have been instructed to do so.

Background Checks submitted to renew a certificate of practice must be dated in the calendar year prior to the renewal year for which the checks are required. For example, if the checks are required for the 2024 renewal, it must have a 2023 issue date and be submitted by the renewal deadline to be accepted.

If you have been selected to submit the Background Checks to renew a certificate of practice, you will need to provide it to the College before you can access renewal.

Processing times for these checks vary. We recommend applying for checks early to avoid missing the submission deadlines and/or delaying the renewal of your certificate of practice.

Learn more about how to get and submit your Background Checks.