How do I become a Nurse Practitioner in Canada?
Updated October 2025
The path to becoming a nurse practitioner will be unique to you. For those of you thinking of pursing a career as an NP, I hope to provide some guidance. In a series of posts, I will review basic steps from point A (applying to programs) to point B (getting your licence) in Canada.
Related reads that may interest you:
Ontario NP Programs
Alberta NP Programs
British Columbia NP Programs
Saskatchewan NP Programs
Nova Scotia NP Programs
Online NP programs in Canada
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
NPs are registered nurses who have additional education, nursing experience, and expanded scope to autonomously diagnose and treat, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, refer to specialists, and perform medical procedures (1). Scope of practice varies between provinces.
What NP programs are there in Canada?
There are several things to consider when choosing a program. What speciality focus are you interested in pursuing? Do you prefer online learning versus in-person? What programs do you qualify for based on your previous education and degree(s)? Majority of programs in Canada offer the primary health care (family, all ages) program. Some institutions offer specialty programs. The primary health care program offers flexibility with your career as you can provide care to patients of all ages. For example, I have colleagues who graduated with the same degree as I did (primary health care NP) and some work in adult/acute care (e.g. adult ICU), others work in pediatrics, and I work in family practice. On the flip side, if you obtain a pediatric NP degree, you would not be certified to provide care to adult patients.
Nationally, Canada recognizes three main NP specialties: family practice, pediatrics, and adult care. These specializations allow NPs to focus their practice and provide targeted care to specific populations.
While Ontario is moving towards a generalized NP education model, other provinces continue to offer some specialized NP programs. Prospective NP students should consider their career goals and the specific offerings of educational institutions across Canada when choosing a program.
In 2020, the CCRNR launched the Nurse Practitioner Regulation Framework Implementation Plan Project (NPR-FIPP) to ensure that NP entry-level education programs in Canada prepare graduates for practice across the lifespan and in all settings.
Implementation of the new NP regulatory model is anticipated to begin in 2026, aligning with the graduation of students from programs based on the revised entry-level competencies and the introduction of a single, national entry-to-practice exam - the CNPLE.
Want curated education to make confident & informed decisions with your patients? 👉 Sign up for NP Reasoning Masterclass.
In Ontario, we have the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program which is offered through a partnership of nine Ontario universities and is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (2). All 9 schools follow the same primary health care NP curriculum, with a blended delivery model (online classes, synchronous and asynchronous approach). As a prospective student, you apply to your preferred university NP program. There are online components, and in-person tutorials and labs at each program site. For example, when I was enrolled, pathophysiology was offered as an online course, and my classmates were from different sites (e.g. Queen’s University, University of Ottawa). As another example, the advanced health assessment course was offered as an in-person tutorial at my university.
In Ontario, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is transitioning to a single NP classification. This change involves phasing out existing specialty programs in adult and pediatric care. Starting in September 2024, Ontario universities began implementing revised NP entry-level competencies that encompass care across the lifespan and various practice settings. The aim is to provide a more flexible and comprehensive NP education, preparing graduates to work in diverse healthcare environments, including acute care settings.
The University of Toronto is no longer offering admission to the Primary Health Care, Adult, and Paediatric NP programs and have transitioned to an all ages, all settings program.
Scroll to the bottom of this post to review an updated list of nurse practitioner programs in Canada.
How long does it take to be a nurse practitioner?
First, you need to get your license as a registered nurse (RN). There are several paths to become an RN. Undergraduate programs take 4 years, however there are bridging programs (if you are an RPN/LPN) and accelerated programs (if you have previous undergraduate degrees).
In Ontario, most NP programs require 2 years of full-time clinical experience as an RN, but practice hours vary from province to province. Primary health care programs will accept most areas of clinical experience (there are exceptions) - I would check individual program pre-requisites. Experience matters - if you are thinking of pursuing a career as an NP, think about how your RN experience will translate to your NP role. If you want to work in family medicine, consider working in diverse clinical areas; if you want to work in acute care, focus your time in a tertiary care setting; if you want to work in pediatrics, it would be helpful to work in a pediatric care setting. Your experience as an RN will help you reflect on your clinical interest(s).
Once you have your required clinical hours as an RN, you can look into what NP programs spark your interest.
Most programs in Canada offer 2 streams: Master of Nursing-Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner (MN-PHCNP), which is 2 years full-time, and the Post-Master’s Certificate (PHCNP) which is 1 year full-time. To qualify for the post-master’s certificate program, you need to have at least a master’s degree first (a master’s in nursing science degree or nursing PhD is an accepted pre-requisite, however some programs may accept other master’s degrees). Terminology for these programs vary between institutions, but the premise is the same. Most programs offer a part-time study option.
I did a Master of Nursing thesis degree (MScN) first (2 years of study), so I qualified for the post-master’s certificate program. In other words, it took me 3 years to become an NP. If I had taken the MN-PHCNP program, it would have taken me 2 years (but I was in no rush!) The certificate program focuses solely on clinical course work (e.g. assessment, diagnosis, treatment) along with clinical placements. The 2-year master’s program combines research-type courses (e.g. research methods, statistics) and the clinical courses.
Are there Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Canada?
Athabasca University (based out of Alberta - but people out province can apply) offers a Master of Nursing nurse practitioner degree online program available. It is a 33-credit online graduate program, that prepares students to work in primary health care settings. You can take up to 5 years to complete the program. Students are responsible for arranging their own clinical placements.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Regina Collaborative Nurse Practitioner (NP) Program: Offers a masters of nursing - nurse practitioner program (MN-NP), primary health care.
Prepares students to apply for registration as a family nurse practitioner in Canada.
Program length: 2-4 years, full or part-time
Mode of delivery: ONLINE + mandatory 1 week on campus residency week.
Applicants from outside Saskatchewan are welcome, but locals get first priority. Quebec does not support out-of-province practice experiences - Quebec applicants should check with the program before applying.
You can read this post if you want to learn more about online programs in Canada.
Nurse Practitioner Programs in Canada
Here is a PDF copy of all NP programs in Canada.
NP Programs Ontario
| University | NP Streams Offered | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner; Post-Masters Nurse Practitioner Diploma | Primary Health Care |
| Lakehead University * | Master of Nursing with Primary Health Care NP; Primary Health Care NP Certificate Program | Primary Health Care |
| Laurentian University * | Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner (MScN) | Primary Health Care |
| McMaster University * | Master of Nursing Primary Health Care NP; Primary Health Care NP Diploma | Primary Health Care |
| Queen’s University * | Master of Nursing Primary Health Care NP; Primary Health Care NP Diploma | Primary Health Care |
| University of Windsor * | Master of Nursing Primary Health Care NP; Primary Health Care NP Diploma | Primary Health Care |
| University of Ottawa * | Master of Nursing Primary Health Care NP; Primary Health Care NP Diploma | Primary Health Care |
| Western University * | Master of Nursing Primary Health Care NP; Primary Health Care NP Diploma | Primary Health Care |
| York University * | Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioners Program | Primary Health Care |
| Toronto Metropolitan University * | Combined Master of Nursing/Primary Health Care NP Certificate Program | Primary Health Care |
NP Programs Alberta
| University | NP Streams Offered | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| University of Alberta | Post-Master of Nursing Nurse Practitioner | Family & All Ages, Adult/Older Adult, Neonatal (transitioning to All Ages soon) |
| University of Calgary | MN-NP, Post-Masters Nurse Practitioner Diploma | Adult Health Acute Care |
NP Programs British Columbia
| University | NP Streams Offered | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| University of Victoria | Master of Nursing Nurse Practitioner; Post Degree Diploma | Primary Health Care / Family |
| University of British Columbia | Master of Nursing Nurse Practitioner | Primary Health Care / Family |
| University of Northern British Columbia | Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner | Primary Health Care / Family |
| Thompson River University | Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner | Primary Health Care / Family |
NP Programs Saskatchewan
| University | NP Streams Offered | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| University of Regina | Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program (online/distance learning) | Primary Health Care |
| University of Saskatchewan | Master of Nursing Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner | Primary Health Care |
NP Program Manitoba
| University | NP Streams Offered | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| University of Manitoba | Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner Stream | Primary Health Care |
NP Programs Quebec
| University | NP Streams Offered | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| McGill University | Master of Science Nurse Practitioner | Primary Health Care, Adult Care, Mental Health, Pediatric, Neonatal |
| Université de Montréal | Masters of Science Nurse Practitioner | Primary Health Care, Adult, Mental Health |
| Université de Sherbrooke | Masters of Science Nurse Practitioner | Primary Health Care, Adult |
| Université du Québec à Chicoutimi | Nurse Practitioner Diploma | Primary Health Care |
| Université du Québec à Rimouski | Nurse Practitioner Program | Primary Health Care, Mental Health |
| Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières | Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Diploma | Mental Health |
| Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue | Nurse Practitioner Program | Primary Health Care |
| Université Laval | Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Practitioner | Primary Health Care |
NP Program Newfoundland
| University | NP Streams Offered | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial University | Nurse Practitioner Masters; Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Graduate Diploma | Primary Health Care / Family All Ages |
NP Program PEI
| University | NP Streams Offered | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| University of Prince Edward Island | Master of Nursing Thesis Stream and Nurse Practitioner Stream | Primary Health Care |
NP Program New Brunswick
| University | NP Streams Offered | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| University of New Brunswick | Nurse Practitioner Graduate Degree | Primary Health Care |
NP Program Nova Scotia
| University | NP Streams Offered | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Dalhousie University | Master of Nursing Nurse Practitioner Program | Primary Health Care |
Online NP Programs Canada
| University | NP Streams Offered | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Athabasca University | Master of Nursing Nurse Practitioner (online/distance learning) | Primary Health Care |
| University of Regina | Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program (online/distance learning) | Primary Health Care |
Practical tip: During the application process, if you have specific questions for prospective programs, reach out to the program administrator/contact person (found on program websites). I did this during my application process, and it was very helpful.
Everyone’s NP journey is unique. Get as much experience as you can and ask lots of questions!
Key Take Home Point: In Canada, most schools offer primary health care NP programs in 2 streams (2 years full-time, and 1 year full-time certificate program for students with a previous master’s/PhD degree). Some schools offer specialty programs (acute care/adult, mental health, pediatric, neonatal).
💡I highly recommend this read to help prepare you for your NP journey.
👉Join NP Reasoning Masterclass for a practical, curated educational experience for the busy NP.
Disclaimer - The views expressed in this post are my own and do not represent the official position of any organization. This is not a sponsored post.
Related Reads…
How Do I Become a Nurse Practitioner in Ontario?
How Do I Become a Nurse Practitioner In the U.S.?
How Do I Become a Nurse Practitioner: Getting my License?
How Do I Study for my Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam?
Should I Become a Nurse Practitioner?
References/Readings:
1. Canadian Nurses Association [Internet]. [2023]. Nurse Practitioners. [cited 2023 Oct 2]; https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/nursing/advanced-nursing-practice/nurse-practitioners
2. Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program [Internet]. [2019]. The Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program: An Overview. [cited 2023 Oct 2]; https://np-education.ca/about/