Post-Secondary Education Requirement

You must meet the post-secondary education requirement to join a register in Alberta. The evidence you will use to satisfy the requirement is different depending on your application type. You only need to provide evidence during your first application to the CRNA.

Overview

You may meet the requirement if you have completed one of these items before you apply:

Completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an approved nursing program within five years prior to the application date.
Hold registration in an equivalent jurisdiction listed in Bylaw 4.15.
Hold registration in a substantially equivalent jurisdiction identified below*.
A National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) report that provides confirmation of education rated as comparable or somewhat comparable.
An education credential evaluation report that verifies equivalent post-secondary education.

Evidence to Satisfy the Requirement

Do not provide evidence until you create your account. The evidence you will use to satisfy the requirement is different depending on your application type.

Program Completion Information

Application Type: Initial registration
Graduates from Alberta programs must be added to their nursing education program's completion list for the CRNA. Please inquire with your nursing program directly for more information.
Graduates from Canadian programs (outside of Alberta) will need their nursing education program to submit a confirmation of completion form on their behalf.

Verification of Current Registration

Application Type: Equivalent jurisdictions, substantial equivalence*
A verification of registration is confirmation from a regulatory body that you have a current permit in good standing. In the application, you will enter details about your current jurisdiction.

For equivalent jurisdictions, you do not need to submit any documents.

For substantial equivalence* applicants, a document confirming the details must submitted to the CRNA.

* Verification of registration documents for substantial equivalence applicants are accepted from Australia, India, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Philippines, the United Kingdom or the United States.

Verification of Equivalent Education (Education Credential Assessment)

Application Type: Substantial equivalence
An educational credential assessment is used to verify that your education is valid and equal to the standards set for Canadian workers.
More information is available to complete this step

Report from National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)

Application Type: Substantial equivalence
A NNAS advisory report provides confirmation of education. You must be rated as one of the following: comparable or somewhat comparable.

If you have completed one of these within the three years preceding the application date, you will meet the requirement:

Successfully completed a master's degree in nursing from an approved NP program .
Successfully completed a post-master's certificate or diploma from an approved NP program .

Evidence to Satisfy the Requirement

Do not provide evidence until you create your account.

Program Completion Information

Application Type: Initial registration (nurse practitioner)
Graduates from all Canadian NP programs will need their nursing education program to submit a confirmation of program completion form on their behalf.

Requirement Not Met Outcomes

Not Eligible

RN applicant whose education credential evaluation service report does not confirm successfully completing post-secondary education is not eligible for registration.
RN applicant’s NNAS report rates their education as “not comparable” and they have not practised in the past 10 years. These applicants will be required to successfully complete a competence assessment or nursing bridging program.

Reviewed by Registrar

Registration in a recognized equivalent jurisdiction listed in Bylaw 4.15, who is not in good standing, will have their application reviewed by the registrar.
Successful completion of an NP education program that was not an approved program will have their application reviewed by the registrar.
RN applicant’s NNAS report rates their education as “not comparable” and they have not practised in the past 10 years.

Reviewed by Registration Committee

Successful completion of an approved RN education program occurred more than five years prior to the date of the application.
Successful completion of an approved NP education program occurred more than three years prior to the date of the application.