License Renewal Frequently Asked Questions

To open the Alinity portal, do one of the following:

• Sign in using this link: Alinity portal.
• Go to the CRNS.ca website and click the Sign In button in the top right had corner.
• Click on a link from one of our renewal emails.

Enter the email address tied to your CRNS profile and your password. Remember that your password is case-sensitive.

You may be requested to authorize yourself as the owner of this account. As part of this process, you may be prompted to submit a verification code. The temporary code will be sent to your email address. Copy the verification code and then input this code exactly as shown into the web browser. If you are unable to find the email, check your junk mail. Once you have input the code, click “Validate” to proceed.

If you have any questions, click here to submit a support ticket.

If you have forgotten your password it will need to be reset.

• Request a password reset by clicking Forgot your password on the Alinity portal sign in page.
• You will be directed to enter your email address that is tied to your CRNS profile and the verification code on the screen.
• After you enter this information and click “Submit”.
• You will receive an email with a link to reset your password. Follow the instructions provided in the email to create a new password for your account.

The CRNS will send an email to the email address listed in your membership profile with instructions on how to complete your license renewal. If you use an email address different than the one listed in your profile, the system will not recognize you as a CRNS registrant and you will not be able to renew.

To efficiently complete the license renewal form, each registrant should have:

• Your username which is your email address.
• Your password (case sensitive).
• Access to your email. For security reasons, when you sign in, you may be prompted to submit a validation code. Copy the verification code, from your email and then input this code exactly as shown into the web browser. Click “Validate” and you will be logged in to the Alinity portal.
• The number of hours you worked in the 2024 registration year. Click here for more information.
• Continuing Competence Program (CCP) for 2024 must be completed in the online portal to proceed with your renewal. CRNS registrants are required, at a minimum, to select:
  • a practice Standard to focus on
  • a related learning goal
  • one completed activity
  • and has a completion date
• A credit card to complete online payment if your employer is not paying for your license.

• Ensure you are checking the correct email account. The CRNS will only send emails to the address that is defined in your Alinity portal profile.
• In some cases, email may not be delivered to you due to it being marked as spam. Check your email spam and junk folders.

If you still are unable to receive emails from the CRNS or Alinity portal, submit a ticket as so we can best resolve your issue.

If you are unable to complete the license renewal form, click the “Save for Later” button so that your changes will be saved. When you return to the Alinity portal, you can continue from where you left off.

Once you have submitted a completed license renewal form, you will receive an email indicating if it is under review or there is any further action required. Once the application is reviewed and/or approved, you will receive an email indicating that your license has been renewed.

Your Alinity portal dashboard will automatically update with your current license renewal status.
Note: Completion of your license renewal may not be confirmed until mid-November if your employer is paying.

Please confirm that your registration has been renewed for the 2025 licensure year via the Nurse License Check prior to working on and after December 1.

You can access the public register via the Nurse License Check to confirm that your license has been renewed for the 2025 licensure year. You are required to verify your license prior to working on and after December 1 2024.

If you do not renew your license, you will be switched to an “Inactive” status. All registrants who intend to continue to work during the 2025 licensure year must renew their license within the renewal period (September 24 to November 30, 2024). You are not authorized to practice Registered Nursing until you have met all the requirements, including payment of the reinstatement, late fee (if applicable) and license renewal fees.

If you choose to become “Inactive”, there are no privileges with the CRNS. Inactive registrants that decide to revert to a Practicing Membership will be subject to a $157.50 reinstatement fee in addition to their licensing fees. Click here for more information about fees and the fee schedule.

If you are going on leave (maternity, sick or other) or you do not wish to hold a Practicing Membership for the upcoming year, we recommend you renew as a Non-Practicing Member. This membership entitles you to hold office and be appointed to committees at the membership level, attend the annual meeting and receive the CRNS News Bulletin.

If you choose to become a Retired Member, you have some privileges with the CRNS, including the ability to use the title Registered Nurse (retired), RN (retired), Nurse Practitioner (retired) or NP (retired). You must have been in good standing at the time you were last registered. We recommend this option if you do not intend to return to practice. There is a one-time fee to apply as a Retired Member.

License renewal can be paid online with:

• any major credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express)
• e-transfer (receivables@crns.ca)
• a cheque mailed or delivered in-person to the CRNS office
• or through an employer-paid option.

If you are not paying with a credit card, please allow up to four weeks for processing of payment and license renewal.

To renew your license with the employer payment option:

• Confirm with your employer that they will pay your license renewal fee.
• Complete and submit your license renewal application by October 16, 2024.
• Once the CRNS receives the payment from your employer, you will get an email confirmation from the CRNS.
• If your employer will not pay on your behalf, CRNS staff will contact you for payment.
• Completion of your license renewal may not be confirmed until mid-November due to employer payment processing.
• Please confirm your place of work when completing the license renewal form. The name of your employer must match the employer information provided in the employer pay drop down list.
• Do not choose the SHA as your place of work, you must choose the name of your employment facility.

Typically, the primary employer (the one that you work for the most) will pay the license renewal fee. It is always best to confirm with your employer(s) which should be selected for the Employer-Paid option before you start your renewal application.

The CRNS does not issue refunds for reinstatement fees, late fees or license registrations [RN, NP, or RN(AAP)] after November 30, 2024.

If you have paid the reinstatement, late fee or license renewal fee personally, please check with your employer to see if they will reimburse the cost. Click here for more information about fees and the fee schedule.

You may print your receipt at the time you pay your invoice. If you need a receipt at a later time:

• Sign in to the Alinity portal
• Click “Home” on the left-hand side of the page
• In the “My Invoices” section, check the box “Include paid”
• From the list, select the invoice you would like to print

No, only the hours worked as a practicing Registered Nurse (RN) count towards the hourly bylaw requirement. Hours worked as a GN do not count and should not be added.

Yes

The registration year is from December 1 to November 30. If you license any time during the current licensure year including during the license renewal period (September 24 - November 30), even if it is for a few weeks/months, you must renew your license for the upcoming registration year.

If you do not, your current license expires, and as of December 1, you are practicing without an RN license and may be subject to reinstatement fees at the time of renewal. Click here for more information about fees and the fee schedule.

Submit a support ticket and a CRNS staff member will assist you in updating your practice hours.

• RNs require 1125 hours in the previous five years: December 1, 2019– November 30, 2024 OR 450 hours in the previous two years: December 1, 2022 – November 30, 2024.
• RN(AAP)s require 900 hours in the previous three years: December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2024.
• NPs require 900 hours in the previous three years: December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2024.

Please refer to the Maintaining Eligibility for Registration: Nursing Practice Hours document on the CRNS website.

Registrants who do not have enough practice hours to meet the hourly bylaw requirement at the time of license renewal should submit a support ticket.

Refer to the Name Change Update Process on the CRNS website to ensure your membership profile is up to date.

All registrants must complete the CCP requirements online. You can access and review the Continuing Competence Program resource page if you have further questions. CCP is mandatory and all registrants must complete it annually to be eligible for license renewal.

Yes, all registrants must complete the CPP requirements online. You can access and review the Continuing Competence Program resource page if you have further questions. CCP is mandatory and all registrants must complete it annually to be eligible for license renewal.

If you require assistance with setting up your profile, navigating the license renewal process or paying your fees, please submit a support ticket.

Your request will be forwarded to a CRNS staff member who is best able to assist you. While we aim to respond within two business day, due to the large volume of calls during the license renewal period there may be a delay in returning your call.

Additional resources, dates and the instructional video are available on the renewal page of the CRNS website.

CCP information is available here.