July 9, 2025
Announcements
Updates to Support All Nurses in Meeting Currency of Practice Requirements Essential for Safe Care
The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (College) is pleased to announce a significant update to its currency of practice policy for registered nurses (RNs), making it easier for RNs to understand their options and confidently meet currency requirements.
Currency can be established through recent RN practice, completion of re-entry education, recent passing of the NCLEX-RN exam, or a clinical assessment, and is an essential requirement to help ensure RNs possess the up-to-date knowledge, skills, and judgment needed to providing safe care.
Effective July 9, 2025, the revised requirements enhance clarity, flexibility, and fairness for all applicants and current RNs, including internationally educated nurses (IENs) and those registering later in the year from other provinces.
Following substantial review of registration outcomes, applicants’ and health system partners’ feedback, the College will now provide all RNs who are newly registered in Manitoba a full 12 months to accumulate the required practice hours for their first renewal. This change ensures that no applicant is disadvantaged by the timing of their registration during the year and supports a smoother transition into RN practice in this province.
“Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to supporting all nurses—whether they are new graduates, internationally educated, or returning to work as an RN in Manitoba,” said Deb Elias RN, CEO/Registrar. “These updates dovetail nicely with our wider efforts to support a diverse, competent, and well-prepared registered nursing workforce. By providing clear, flexible pathways to meet currency of practice, we’re helping nurses succeed in meeting Manitoba’s healthcare needs while upholding our responsibility to protect the public.”
Key considerations for internationally educated nurses:
- IENs who complete a Clinical Competence Assessment (CCA) or the full Nurse Re-entry Program (NREP) receive credit for demonstrated competence:
- Successfully completing a CCA can establish currency of practice for up to four years, while completing the full NREP program can establish currency for two years.
- These options recognize prior learning and experience, offering flexible and fair pathways to meet registration requirements.
- IENs who register through expedited registration pathways will not be required to meet the practice hour requirement for their first renewal.
Key considerations for labour mobility applicants:
- Applicants who have established registration in another Canadian jurisdiction will not be required to meet the practice hour requirement for their first renewal.
Today’s updates are complementary to changes the College announced last year to streamline and add flexibility to the reinstatement process for former RNs as well as more recent announcements in the past month aimed at supporting IEN applicants. These measures continue to form an integral part of the College’s currency of practice policy and its supportive approach to addressing nursing workforce challenges in Manitoba.
Resources:
For new applicants, please contact the Registration Pathway Advisor for more information:
pathfinder@crnm.mb.ca
Telephone: 204-774-3477 – Select option ‘9’ for the Registration Pathway Advisor
Toll-free 1-800-665-2027 (Manitoba only)
For existing applicants or current registrant inquiries, please contact:
Registration Services
registration@crnm.mb.ca
204-774-3477 ext. 300
Toll free (Manitoba only): 1-800-665-2027 ext. 300
Recent announcements:
College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba Reaffirms Commitment to Supporting Internationally Educated Nurses with New Streamlining Initiatives (June 11, 2025)
Registration Pathway Advisor Introduced (June 23, 2025)
Expanded Eligibility for Expedited IEN Registration (July 3, 2025)