A Licensed or Registered Practical Nurse (LPN/RPN) licence is the legal permission to work as a practical nurse in a Canadian province or territory. Anyone who wants to work in this role must be registered with the provincial nursing regulator.
Official website ↗Practical nurses give hands-on care to patients. They check vital signs, give medications, care for wounds, and help patients with daily needs. They work with doctors, registered nurses, and other health care staff.
The title depends on where you live. Some provinces and territories use Licensed Practical Nurse, and others use Registered Practical Nurse. The role is much the same. Practical nurses work in hospitals, long-term care homes, clinics, community care, and home care.
This is a licence, not an optional credential. The law protects the title and the work. You cannot work as a practical nurse in Canada without being registered with the regulator in the province or territory where you practise.
The REx-PN is the national entry-to-practice exam for practical nurses. It is a computer-based written exam that tests whether you can think through real care situations and make safe decisions. Most graduates study for a few months before sitting it. The regulator will tell you when you are eligible to write.
Your registration must be renewed on a regular schedule set by your regulator. You will usually need to pay a renewal fee, confirm that you are still fit to practise, and show that you have kept your skills up to date through continuing learning. If you miss a renewal, you may lose the right to work until it is fixed.