Computer-based testing

All provinces or territories offer a computer-based delivery of the CPNRE

Steps to success

Introduction

The Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE®) is an entry-to-practice competency-based examination. Success on the CPNRE® depends on an individual’s knowledge of practical nursing principles and the ability to apply this knowledge.

We are pleased to be collaborating with provincial/territorial regulatory authorities to deliver the CPNRE®. It will be delivered in Pearson VUE’s network of proctored test centres across Canada.

  • Regulatory authorities offering a computer-based delivery:
    • College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia
    • College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta
    • Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses
    • College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba
    • College of Nurses of Ontario
    • Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses
    • College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Nova Scotia
    • Licensed Practical Nurses Registration Board of Prince Edward Island
    • College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Government of Yukon, Professional Licensing/Regulatory Affairs

Prior to Scheduling

Before scheduling an appointment with Pearson VUE to take the examination at a test centre, test writers must have already:

  1. Applied to and received from their provincial/territorial regulatory authority confirmation to take the examination.
  2. Received an Authorization to Test email from Pearson VUE advising that they can proceed to schedule to take the exam at a Pearson VUE test centre. This email from Pearson VUE will provide instructions on how to schedule an appointment at a Pearson VUE test centre.

If further clarification is required, contact your provincial/territorial regulatory authority for more information.

Regulatory authorities

Test Center Locations

Test writers will have access to Pearson VUE test centres, across more than 100 cities and towns in Canada.

Test centre locations can be found on the Pearson VUE website.

Search test centres

Scheduling

A test writer will receive an Authorization to Test email from Pearson VUE. Instructions for scheduling your appointment (as well as all the required information such as the Candidate ID), will be included in this email.

It is recommended that you schedule your appointment well in advance of the examination Authorized Dates indicated in the email. Accommodations for test writers must first be approved by the provincial/territorial regulatory authority.

Computer-based Testing Demonstration

A Computer-Based Testing Demonstration (“CBT Demo Test”) is available to all test writers made eligible by provincial Practical Nurse Regulators to write the CPNRE. The purpose of this short demonstration is to familiarize test writers with how to take a CBT test by way of YAS’s test delivery system.

For Practical Nurse Programme Educators

A brief webinar—What to expect when taking the computer-based Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE)—is available for educators. You can view this short webinar for an overview of examination format, details about the computer-based testing experience, and information on YAS’s test delivery system navigation feature.

Download PDF Guides

Instructions on how to access YAS’s CBT Demo Test and features of YAS’s test delivery system are described in the CBT Demo Guide PDFs

Get started by checking with your local regulatory authority

Regulatory authorities