Recognition of Nurses and Midwives

You may be eligible for registration as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) with the Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA) in Ontario if you are:

an internationally educated nurse/midwife (IEN/IEM) who is currently, or has been previously, registered with a nursing/midwifery regulatory body,
an IEN/IEM who has completed nursing/midwifery education but has never been registered with a nursing/midwifery regulatory body,
a nurse/midwife who is currently or was previously registered in good standing as a Canadian registered nurse or midwife, licensed/registered practical nurse, or registered psychiatric nurse with a provincial nursing regulatory body in Canada, OR
someone who has completed nursing or midwifery education in Canada that qualifies you to become registered as a Canadian registered nurse or midwife, licensed/registered practical nurse, or registered psychiatric nurse, but you have not yet completed the application/registration process with a provincial nursing or midwifery regulatory body in Canada.

HSCPOA’s Recognition of Nurses and Midwives Policy has two (2) phases:

Phase 1 – The nursing/midwifery education is reviewed according to the eligibility criteria outlined in HSCPOA’s Recognition of Nurses and Midwives Policy.
Phase 2 – Applicants who have met the criteria under HSCPOA’s Recognition of Nurses and Midwives Policy through Phase 1 are then moved to Phase 2 where they complete HSCPOA’s application process. Phase 2 requires applicants who have never had any health care experience in Ontario to complete HSCPOA’s Orientation to Registered PSW Care in Ontario online course. Instructions on how to access and complete the course will be provided by HSCPOA’s Registration Program staff. Applicants also formerly Apply for PSW registration.

How to Apply

IENs, IEMs, and Canadian nurses and midwives will apply to HSCPOA through Path 4: Competency Assessment, and select the Recognition of Nurses and Midwives Policy option. Nurses and midwives recognized under this policy will be exempt from undergoing a substantial equivalence process as outlined in HSCPOA’s Competency Assessment Process Policy.

NOTE: If you have been employed as a PSW in Ontario for at least 600 hours over the past three years, you may also be eligible to apply through Path 2: Employed as a PSW in Ontario. You may have the option to apply through either registration pathway.

Click the links below for the required documentation: