Liability Insurance for Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
Learn key tips about nursing liability insurance
What is Professional Liability Insurance (PLP)?
In simple terms, it protects professionals against claims of negligence, errors, or omissions in the services they provide. It serves to provide financial compensation for members of the public who have been harmed as a result of malpractice or negligence by a professional (1).
All nurses and nurse practitioners require professional liability insurance - it is mandatory. Why? Because mistakes happen in medicine, and the public needs to be protected.
Want curated education to make confident & informed decisions with your patients?
👉 Sign up for NP Reasoning Masterclass.
Understanding Professional Liability Insurance (PLP) Requirements Across Canada
Professional Liability Protection (PLP) is an essential safeguard for nurses and nurse practitioners, offering coverage in the event of professional negligence claims. However, PLP rules and requirements vary widely across provinces and territories, making it important for each individual to understand what applies in their jurisdiction.
Regulatory bodies: Each province and territory has its own nursing regulator, and in some regions, different categories of nurses (e.g., Registered Nurses vs. Licensed Practical Nurses) are governed by different bodies. These regulators establish their own bylaws outlining whether PLP is mandatory, how it must be obtained, and what level of coverage is required.
Regardless of where you obtain PLP - you are responsible for confirming that this coverage meets the requirements set out by your regulatory’s by-laws (1). Even if you are practicing in a non-clinical role, you need PLP. The exception: if you have a non-practicing nursing class license, many jurisdictions do not mandate PLP.
How do I get PLP?
Many provincial and territorial regulators mandate that nurses obtain coverage through their registration with the regulator or a professional association. The Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS) is another common provider that offers services across Canada.
Reliance on employer coverage: In some provinces, nurses are permitted to rely on PLP provided by their employer, as long as it meets the regulator's minimum requirements.
In other jurisdictions, it may be mandatory for nurses to carry their own individual coverage.
For example, in Ontario, the by-law sets out the following options to obtain PLP for College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) members (1):
through your employer (but still must ensure PLP meets by-law requirement - otherwise have to purchase privately too)
through a provincial or national nursing association
through protection under the Treasury Board of Canada Policy on Legal Assistance and Indemnification (for federally employed nurses) or
by purchasing your own professional liability protection from an insurance provider - e.g. if you work in private practice, or your employer does not provide PLP
What is the Minimum PLP Coverage Requirement?
The amount of coverage required can differ by both province and nursing designation.
For example:
The CNO mandates different minimum PLP amounts for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs).
The minimum coverage required is:
General, Temporary, Emergency Assignment and Special Assignment classes: $1 million per claim for
Extended Class (NPs): $5 million per claim
If your coverage includes a maximum amount that will be covered in a year, it must be at least:
General, Temporary, Emergency Assignment and Special Assignment classes: $2 million per year
Extended Class (NPs): $5 million per year
Other provincial regulators set their own thresholds, which may also vary depending on whether nurses are in independent practice, acute care, or community settings.
Bottom line: When in doubt about by-law requirements and minimum PLP coverage requirement - check with your regulatory body!
What PLP Generally does NOT Cover (although some might)
Some PLP will not cover nursing regulator complaints - for example if you have PLP through CNPS, you will need to purchase supplementary protection annually if you want legal assistance with complaints to your nursing regulator (2).
Labour relations, job contract review
Pure employment disputes (e.g. unfair wages, termination, etc.): Seek advice from your union if you have one, or seek assistance from an employment lawyer)
Proceedings related to workers’ compensation legislation
Claims against a business entity
Initiating complaints
Pure allegations of breach of contract unrelated to allegations of negligence (2).
What if I’m an Independent Contractor?
There are more and more nurses and NPs working as independent contractors. Nurses in independent practice are self-employed and may provide professional nursing services in a variety of ways (clinical, education, and other services), whether it be as an individual, in partnership with other self-employed healthcare professionals, or as an employer of other healthcare providers (2).
Regardless of what PLP you have, it is good practice to consult your PLP provider to ensure that you will be covered as an independent contractor. For example, the CNPS offers PLP for nurses in independent practice.
Private Professional Liability Insurance Options in Canada
If you have to purchase your own PLP, or need top up from your employer, here are some common options in Canada:
Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS)
CNPS offers PLP for all types of nurses across Canada - RN, RPN/LPN, NP or temporary class.
It provides individual, occurrence-based liability protection, which is designed to meet regulatory requirements across the country. The protection applies to any claim commenced in Canada that arises from nursing practice (2).
Offers confidential legal counsel for issues related to professional obligations and liability, and this advice is informed by legal staff experienced in health and nursing law across Canada. If you have concerns regarding liability or safety concerns in your work place for example, you can rapidly arrange a phone call with a CNPS lawyer (2).
Offers an optional Supplementary Protection program to assist nurses with complaints made to their provincial or territorial nursing regulator (2).
Provincial Nursing Associations - e.g. RNAO PLP
Some provincial nursing associations offer PLP. The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) is one example
Although an Ontario association, coverage is available nation wide across Canada (3).
You must be a member of RNAO to receive PLP - it is included in the membership, and you must be registered to practice with a Canadian nursing regulatory body (3).
PLP satisfies College of Nurses of Ontario/Ontario by-law - if obtaining this PLP outside of Ontario, I would confirm with your nursing regulatory to ensure it meets minimum requirements.
Zensurance
Offers many forms of insurance, with a focus on small business owners
Offers nurse malpractice insurance (RN/NP) - those operating as independent contractors
There are many other PLP providers, and it is common to have PLP covered under your employer, or your union if you are in a unionized environment.
Key Takeaways
PLP is mandatory for the nursing profession
Ensure the PLP you have meets the requirements set out by your regulatory body
When in doubt, seek advice from your regulatory body, or from the PLP source itself - e.g. if you have PLP with CNPS or RNAO
👉 Join the NP Reasoning community for ongoing NP practice updates & tips.
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.
References:
College of Nurses of Ontario. Professional Liability Protection. 2025. Available from https://www.cno.org/maintain-your-membership/professional-liability-protection-plp#accordion-general-questions-what-is-professional-liability-protection
Canadian Nurses Protective Society. Frequently Asked Questions. 2025. Available from https://cnps.ca/about/faq/
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. Professional Liability Protection, 2025. Available from https://rnao.ca/membership/benefits/professional-liability-protection-plp