Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN)
Follow this process if you meet the following criteria:
1. You have never held an LPN license in a Canadian province AND
2. You are not a PN student in a Canadian province
Welcome to New Brunswick!
Please review the items below before getting started on your application.
Resources
Application Resources
Exam Resources
Practice/Regulatory Resources
About Your License
NB LPN licensure year
December 1 to November 30
License renewal period
October 1 to November 30
License Fees (Oct. 1 – Nov. 30)
$350.00
Late Renewal Fees (Dec. 1 – 31)
$465.00
Lapsed License Fees (After Dec. 31)
$640.00
License and Receipt
Your license and tax receipt can be found under [Registration] on the homepage of your account.
Prepay Your License
ANBLPN offers the option of pre-authorized debits to prepay your license for the following year. Just go to the [Sign up for PAD] tab in your account.
Preparing to Apply...
HAVE YOU APPLIED TO NNAS?
The first step to applying for licensure in New Brunswick is to submit your application with NNAS. Click the link in the sidebar menu to the left to go to the NNAS (National Nursing Assessment Service) site.
Even if you are a Registered Nurse in your country and wish to apply as a Licensed Practical Nurse, you must select LPN on the NNAS application in order for it to be released to ANBLPN.
APPLICATION TIMELINES
ANBLPN receives a high volume of applications, which are reviewed in the order they are received. We work diligently to process applications in a timely manner however, we are unable to provide applicants with timelines during the application process. You will be notified of next steps via email throughout the process.
GATHER YOUR DOCUMENTS
You will be required to upload the following documents into your application with ANBLPN:
- Proof of name: Birth certificate
- Proof of name change if applicable: Marriage certificate or divorce decree
- Identification: A piece of government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport (must be current).
- Criminal Record Check: Must be current within the past 3 months
- Language Proficiency: English or French (results of IELTS, TEF, CELBAN, or equivalent)
- NNAS: Your NNAS ID and report numbers. You must request your report be released to ANBLPN at the time of application with NNAS.
INTERNET BROWSER
Ensure you are using Google Chrome as your browser. It is currently the only browser that supports full functionality of the member portal software.
EXPECTED COSTS*
You can expect a minimum of $1450 (taxes included) to become licensed NB, broken down as follows:
- Application Fee: $230.00 (non-refundable)
- NB Jurisprudence: $40.00
- Education Upgrading: Minimum $287.50
- Pathways to Licensure Program – All IENs must, at minimum, participate in the Pathways to Licensure program offered through ANBLPN in preparation to be eligible to take the CPNRE exam.
It may be determined after review of applicant documentation that more education is required, which may include: - Re-Entry program (approximately 35 weeks, online/blended delivery – $6000+, financial assistance may be available) OR
- Full PN program (2 year college diploma program, see college websites for rates)
- Pathways to Licensure Program – All IENs must, at minimum, participate in the Pathways to Licensure program offered through ANBLPN in preparation to be eligible to take the CPNRE exam.
- GPN License (if applicable): $51.75
- Exam Fees: Variance in exam fees is due to prorated active license fees being included in exam fees. Active license fees are refunded if an applicant is unsuccessful at the exam.
- January, March, or November: $1105.25
- May or July: $930.25
- September: $842.75
*Costs are subject to change and do not include fees from outside organizations you may require services from when applying for LPN licensure. Please refer to individual organizations for their respective fees.
Get Started!
STEP 1 - Create Your ANBLPN Account
Your ANBLPN account is an online portal where you can:
- Update your personal information (email address, mailing address, phone numbers, etc.)
- Complete your annual license renewal
- Pay fees, access invoices and receipts
- Purchase exams for educational modules
- Update your continuing education, specializations, etc.
It is important that you keep your contact information up to date to receive relevant information from ANBLPN.
Email is our primary communication tool.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
- Go to www.anblpn.ca and click on [Member Login]
- Choose [Sign Up] to create your account
- Once you create your account, you will use your email address as your username and your new password to log in.
NEXT STEP
Proceed to Step 2
STEP 2 - Jurisprudence Module
Fee: $40
Once you have created your account, you will need to review the Jurisprudence module and complete the exam before you are able to submit your application form.
*Jurisprudence must be completed before you are able to submit your application.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
- Access the module from the [Resources] section to the left OR by going to [Applicants] > [Jurisprudence] on our website.
- Read all instructions on the page before starting
- Review the provided module and complete the exam according to the instructions
NEXT STEP
Proceed to Step 3
STEP 3 - Begin the IEN Application
Your IEN application form is where you will identify yourself and your credentials in order for us to assess your eligibility for licensure.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
- Log into your account and click on the [IEN application] to begin.
- Complete the application form and upload the required documents into the application.
*Educational Institution: If your educational institution is not listed, check the [Not listed] box, then add your educational institution information below. - If you have not completed the Jurisprudence exam, your application will not submit. (See Step 2 above)
You may save your application and come back to it later by clicking the [Save for Later] button at the bottom of the application form page.
NEXT STEP
Proceed to Step 4.
STEP 4 - Submit and Pay for Your Application
Fee: $230 (non-refundable)
Review of your application will only begin once it is submitted AND paid in full.
Once submitted and paid, your application will appear on our daily report and review will begin. We ask that you do not call/email for next steps as this only creates delays in processing time. If we need further information, we will contact you.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
- SUBMIT – Once your application is complete, click the [Submit] button at the bottom of the page. You will receive a confirmation message and will be redirected to pay your invoice.
- PAY – Don’t forget to pay the application fee! All fees can be paid online through your account using a credit card or Visa-debit.
- INVOICE – If you do not pay immediately, you may return to your account homepage and your invoice can be found in the [My Invoices] section. Applications are not reviewed until application fees are paid.
NEXT STEP
Wait while ANBLPN reviews your file. Processing time is dependent on the volume of applications received. We are unable to provide timelines due to the fluctuation of applications at any given time.
If further information or clarification is required, your application may be returned to you for updates (email notification), or we will contact you.
When a decision is made on your application, we will contact you via email. We ask that you not call/email us for application updates during this stage as it creates unnecessary delays in the process.
AFTER ANBLPN contacts you with a decision on your application, proceed to Step 5
STEP 5 - Education Upgrading
If your application is approved, you will be required to complete educational upgrading. There are 3 possible outcomes to prepare you to write the CPNRE. You will be referred to the appropriate program by the ANBLPN.
Each applicant’s case is unique. The decision made by ANBLPN is in the best interest of the applicant to ensure requirements are met in order to be eligible and prepared to write the CPNRE. There may be similarities between your application and that of a friend/coworker however, the decision process is more complex than education comparison alone.
OUTCOME 1
Pathways to Licensure program (Delivery by ANBLPN) – This 10-week online/blended delivery program is the minimum requirement for educational upgrading. This program will familiarize you with the scope of practice for Canadian LPNs and is offered 3-4 times per year.
Accessing the Program: The Pathways program does not begin immediately upon application approval. Once you have paid for the program through your ANBLPN account, you will be placed in a group to begin once the current group has completed. You will be notified by email of program details and start dates for your group once your start date is closer.
OUTCOME 2
Re-Entry (Delivery by NBCC/CCNB) – This approximately 38-week online/blended program is required if it is determined that you require more than the Pathways program. It will complement your current education and fill in any areas that are lacking.
Accessing the Program: The Re-Entry program start dates are determined by the colleges. ANBLPN will send you the consent form, which you will complete and return to us. We will then refer you to the program. The college will contact you with further program and tuition information and start dates.
OUTCOME 3
PN Program (Delivery by NBCC/CCNB/Oulton College) – The 2-year diploma program is required if your education/experience is not comparable to that in Canada. This may be the case if your education is very specific to a particular area of practice and lacks many of the elements that make up the LPN scope of practice in Canada.
Accessing the Program: You will follow application procedures provided by the accredited college in which you wish to enroll in for your PN program.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
Follow the instructions provided to you in the email regarding the decision on your application and the education upgrading program you will follow.
NEXT STEP
Only proceed to Step 6 AFTER:
- You have completed your education upgrading AND
- ANBLPN has contacted you to confirm successful program completion
STEP 6 - Provisional License Eligibility
Fee: $51.75 (if eligible)
Upon completion of your education program, you may be eligible for a provisional license. ANBLPN will determine and notify you of your eligibility and the process to follow when a decision is made on your application.
NOTE: Approval of your application does not automatically indicate eligibility for provisional licensure.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
If you are eligible for a provisional license upon completion of your program:
- You will receive an email to let you know that there is an invoice for provisional license (GPN) in your account
- Log into your account and pay your invoice. It will be located on the righthand side of your account homepage under [My Invoices].
- Provide a copy of your provisional license to your employer by downloading it from the [My Registrations] section on the homepage of your account.
NEXT STEP
Wait for ANBLPN to notify you via email that your exam invoice is available. This applies regardless of your eligibility for provisional licensure.
After ANBLPN notifies you of your exam invoice, proceed to Step 7.
STEP 7 - Payment of CPNRE (Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam)
Fee: $842.75 – $1105.25*
Once you have completed your education program and ANBLPN has received/compiled confirmation of all requirements being met, you may be eligible to write the CPNRE (Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam).
Exam Invoice – Includes the cost of the exam, administrative fees, and active license fees for the remainder of the year. Details of fee breakdown can be found in the Fee Schedule in the [Resources] section of this page OR under the [Applicants] tab.
- Pathways to Licensure Program – If you completed the Pathways to Licensure program, you will be notified by email of your exam eligibility AFTER we compile program completion data.
- Re-Entry or PN Diploma Program – If you completed the re-entry or full PN program, you will be notified by email of your exam eligibility AFTER ANBLPN receives official notification of successful completion from the college.
*Exam fees vary depending on the month you are writing in. This is because prorated active license fees for the remainder of the year are included in the exam fees. This enables us to switch your account to Active immediately upon receipt of positive exam results. If you do not pass the CPNRE, the active license fees are reimbursed to you. the cost of the exam ($600) and administrative fees ($65.25) are non-refundable.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
- Wait to receive email confirmation of your exam eligibility. We ask that you be patient, many applicant files are being processed.
- When you receive the confirmation email, log into your account to pay your exam invoice. It will be located on your account homepage under [My Invoices].
- Exam invoices must by paid in full no later than the 15th of the month prior to the exam month. If you do not pay for your exam by the 15th, your name will not be submitted to the exam administrator for the current offering.
Ex. If you intend to write your exam in March, you must pay your exam invoice no later than February 15th.
NEXT STEP
Wait to receive an email from Testing Support (Yardstick/Meazure) with instructions to book your exam.
You will only receive an email 2-3 business days AFTER the payment deadline (15th of the month prior to the exam month).
Please check your junkmail folder if you do not see an email from Testing Support in your inbox within this timeframe.
AFTER you receive the email from Testing Support, proceed to Step 8 to book your exam.
STEP 8 - Book Your Exam Seat
When you receive your email from Testing Support, you will follow the instructions to book a date and time for your exam.
All exams are written online via ProctorU or at a testing centre under supervision of a designated proctor.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
- Follow the instructions in the email from Testing Support to book your exam.
For help booking your exam, please refer to the Student Exam Booking Guide in the [Resources] section of this page.
NEXT STEP
You will receive a confirmation email from Testing Support with the date and time of your exam.
Keep this email. You will need it to reset your password on exam day. DO NOT reset your password before exam day!