Currency of Practice

Whether you are applying for initial registration, renewing your permit or returning to practice, you must meet the currency of practice requirement. Registrants are responsible for keeping accurate records of their nursing hours for five practice years. Please note, the CRNA's practice year runs from October 1 to September 30.

More information on what counts towards practice hours can be found here.

Currency Options

You will meet the currency of practice requirement if you have completed one of the following:

Within the two practice years prior to your application:
- Completed at least 450 hours of nursing practice (includes RN and NP hours).

Within the five practice years prior to your application (reminder: only one is required):
- Successfully completed an approved nursing education program.
- Completed at least 1,125 hours of nursing practice (includes RN and NP hours).
- Successfully completed the Registered Nurses Canadian Competence Assessment Program (RNCCAP [formerly known as ARNAP]) with results showing RN-level competence.
- Successfully completing a recognized nursing bridging program.
- Successfully completed an approved program leading to re-entry to nursing practice (also known as a nursing refresher program).

You will meet the currency of practice requirement if you have completed one of the following items within the four practice years prior to your application.

Successfully completed an approved NP education program.
Completed at least 1,000 NP hours, of which 500 hours must be clinical practice hours applicable to the stream of practice.
Met another requirement determined by the registrar or the registration committee.

If you are unable to maintain currency for NP renewal, you can renew as an RN, provided you meet the RN currency requirement (hours worked as an NP count towards RN hours).

Evidence Types to Satisfy the Requirement

After creating your account in College Connect, you will be prompted, when necessary, to provide evidence as part of your application. The evidence you will use to satisfy the requirement is different depending on your application type.

How Does the Registrar Determine if Hours Count?

If requested, the registrar may require you to submit the following information to determine if practice hours count towards your currency:

Identification of your employer.
Your employer's confirmation of your submitted hours.
A description of your job position.
Additional information from your immediate supervisor or manager.
Official transcript of nursing courses or program completed.

What Counts as Practice Hours

Practice hours include any hours when you were engaged in nursing practice while you held an active permit.

Learn More chevron_right

Frequently Asked Questions

I meet all the requirements except for currency of practice. What should I do?

If you meet all the requirements to receive a permit in Alberta except for currency of practice, please reach out to our registrant navigator service. They will be able to assist you with options for meeting this requirement.

Does the SPP count for the currency of practice requirement?

The Supervised Practice Program (SPP) has been discontinued and does not count towards this requirement.

Does the NCLEX-RN exam count for the currency of practice requirement?

Applicants will not be able to use the NCLEX-RN to meet the currency of practice requirement and will be assessed based on the current criteria, even if they gained their initial permit by using the NCLEX-RN to meet this requirement.

Do LPN hours count for the currency of practice requirement?

Licensed practical nurse (LPN) practice hours do not count towards meeting the currency of practice requirement.