If you are an Indian nurse planning to work in Canada, NNAS (National Nursing Assessment Service) is your first step. NNAS evaluates your nursing credentials to determine whether they meet Canadian standards. Without a positive NNAS advisory report, you cannot apply for provincial nursing registration. This guide explains the full process, with a focus on the challenges Indian nurses commonly face.
What Is NNAS?
NNAS is a Canadian non-profit organisation that assesses the credentials of internationally educated nurses (IENs). It compares your nursing education, clinical training, and professional experience against Canadian standards and produces an Advisory Report that your provincial College of Nurses uses to determine your eligibility for registration.
NNAS does not grant a license — it provides the credential evaluation that provincial regulators require before processing your application.
Required Documents
NNAS requires the following documents, all of which must be sent directly from the issuing institution (not from you personally):
From You (Direct Submission)
- Two forms of notarized identification (passport copies notarized by a recognised authority)
- Nursing Education Form Part A (completed and signed by you)
From Your Nursing Institution
- Nursing Education Form Parts B and C (completed by your nursing school — detailing your curriculum, clinical placement hours, and subjects covered)
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- Official transcripts sent directly from the institution to NNAS
From Your Licensing Body
- Registration/license verification from the Indian Nursing Council (INC) or your State Nursing Council, sent directly to NNAS
From Your Employer
- Employment verification letter(s) detailing your clinical experience, responsibilities, and dates of employment
The Biggest Bottleneck: Institutional Response Times
The most common delay for Indian nurses is getting institutions to send documents directly to NNAS. Indian nursing schools and the INC can take 4 to 12 weeks to respond to NNAS verification requests. Some institutions are unfamiliar with the process and need guidance on what to send and where.
Tips to speed this up:
- Contact your nursing school before submitting your NNAS application. Explain the process and provide them with NNAS contact details and the forms they need to complete.
- Visit in person if possible. Institutional staff are more responsive when they can put a face to the request.
- Follow up every two weeks. Polite persistence is essential — do not assume documents have been sent until NNAS confirms receipt.
- Ask NNAS to send reminder notifications to your institution if they have not responded within the expected timeframe.
English Language Testing
Important change: As of October 2022, NNAS no longer collects English language test scores. Instead, you submit proof of English proficiency directly to your provincial College of Nurses as part of their registration process. This means NNAS evaluates your credentials without considering your English test — but your province will still require it before granting registration.
Most provinces accept IELTS Academic (typically 7.0 in Speaking and Writing, 6.5 in Listening and Reading) or CELBAN. Check your target province's specific requirements.
NNAS Advisory Report
Once all documents are received and verified, NNAS issues an Advisory Report. This report compares your education and experience against Canadian competency standards and classifies your readiness. The report is sent to the provincial College of Nurses you designate.
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Possible outcomes:
- Your credentials are assessed as substantially equivalent — you may proceed to NCLEX-RN and provincial registration with minimal additional requirements.
- Gaps are identified — the province may require you to complete bridging education, additional clinical hours, or competency assessments before granting registration.
Timeline
- Regular service: 12 to 16 weeks after all documents are received by NNAS.
- Expedited service: 5 business days after all documents are received. Additional fee applies.
- Total realistic timeline (including institutional delays): 4 to 8 months for Indian nurses.
Costs
- NNAS application fee: Approximately CAD 650 (regular) or CAD 900+ (expedited)
- Document notarization: CAD 50–100
- Courier costs for institutional documents: Variable
The NNAS process is not fast or cheap, but it is the only pathway to nursing registration in Canada. Start early, manage your institutions proactively, and keep your English test preparation running in parallel to avoid wasted time.