The provisional register allows you to work as a graduate nurse (GN) or graduate nurse practitioner (GNP) while you work to meet the requirement of writing and passing a registration exam. 

Once an application is approved, you may be on this register. When practising, you must be under supervision per the Supervision Standards.

You are allowed to be on the provisional register for up to six (6) months, beginning the date the application is approved and ending either March 31 or Sept. 30, whichever is soonest. You can only practise within the effective and expiry date, including orientation. This permit is eligible for renewal for up to a maximum of 12 months on the provisional register.

Based on the permit issued, you are eligible only to use one of the following authorized titles:

  • Graduate nurse (GN)
  • Graduate nurse practitioner (GNP)

You may only call yourself a registered nurse (RN) or nurse practitioner (NP) in Alberta once you have met all the requirements for registration in Alberta and the CRNA has approved your RN or NP permit.

These application types are not eligible to be on the provisional register:

  • Equivalent jurisdiction
  • Renewal and return to practice
  • Non-practising
  • Select substantial equivalence pathways
    • Already passed the registration exam
    • Using only verification of education to write the registration exam
    • Using only verification of registration to write the registration exam