Long delays in recognizing international experience are blocking qualified nurses from working in Ontario

Many applicants are facing significant delays and frustration due to the prolonged processing times for evaluating international nursing experience by the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Even after submitting all required documents and proof of experience, decisions often take months, and in some cases up to 24 months. Applications are frequently delayed further when sent for committee review. Although CNO states on its website that committee reviews are conducted monthly, in reality, many applicants are experiencing waits of 3–4 months for these decisions.

These delays affect career progression, financial stability, and the ability of qualified professionals to contribute to Ontario’s healthcare system.

The current system creates unnecessary barriers for skilled nurses who are ready to work. At a time when there is a shortage of healthcare workers, these delays are not only unfair but also harmful to the community.

there are also serious concerns about inconsistency and customer service:

• if an applicant adds international experience, the process becomes much longer, often taking 6–12 months or more
• Even when employers send verification letters directly to CNO, experience is still delayed or sometimes refused
• If the experience is not accepted after a long wait, applicants are left with very limited options, such as returning to their home country to gain more experience or completing additional education in Canada
• Customer service is very limited, as communication is mainly through email; although a 15-day response time is stated, replies are often received only on the 15th day, causing further delays

This inconsistency is unfair and discouraging for qualified professionals.

These issues create stress and prevent skilled nurses from contributing effectively to the healthcare system.

We respectfully request that the College of Nurses of Ontario:

1. Reduce processing times for evaluating international experience
2. Provide clear and transparent timelines
3. Ensure consistent and fair assessment of all applications
4. Improve customer service and communication
5. Allocate more resources to reduce backlog and speed up decisions

By signing this petition, you support fair and timely recognition of international nursing experience. Skilled professionals are ready to contribute—now is the time to remove unnecessary delays and improve the system for everyone.

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Sign this petition to support faster, fair, and transparent processing.