The CRNS Executive Director & Registrar issues a message to communicate operational updates and information for registrants throughout the year. The Executive Director & Registrar’s message is delivered to all CRNS registrants by email.
Dear colleagues,
The College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) would like to advise of an important change that will affect the nursing license renewal process in the 2026 renewal year.
As part of our commitment to protect the public, the CRNS has reviewed the current registration renewal process. As the regulatory body, it is imperative that we develop and maintain processes that regulate the profession and keep the public safe. The process imposes an administrative burden on the CRNS, as well as causes confusion for registrants and employers. The employer paid renewal option has created a situation where registrants may present to work without a valid nursing license. Working without a license poses a risk to both public safety and the CRNS.
For these reasons, the CRNS will no longer be offering employer paid license renewal for Registered Nurses (RN) and Nurse Practitioners (NP). This means that beginning in the fall of 2025 registrants renewing their license will be responsible for paying for their annual license. RNs and NPs may seek reimbursement from their employer if supported by employer policy.
This shift aligns the CRNS with regulatory bodies across Canada that sees registrants pay for their professional license at the same time they complete the required renewal process and is a way to ensure registrants are always aware of their licensure status.
The CRNS has communicated this change with employers and unions who have been using this process over the past several years. If you have an agreement for payment of your license fee as part of your employment contract, you and your employer will be responsible to determine how reimbursement will occur.
For those registrants who have paid their own license fee, there will be no changes to your renewal and payment process.
Please note that the license renewal process is necessary to ensure that nurses meet the professional standards and regulatory requirements. We encourage you to stay informed about renewal timelines and fees, as maintaining a practicing license is required to legally and ethically work within the nursing profession in Saskatchewan.
If you have any questions regarding this policy change, please contact us at info@crns.ca for further clarification.
Thank you for your understanding and continued dedication to providing excellent patient care.
Regards,
Cindy Smith, RN (she/her)
CRNS Executive Director & Registrar