News Release Statement on Ongoing Barriers to Nurse Practitioner Licensure in Manitoba

June 4, 2025

Ashley Carruthers CEO, NPAM

Recent changes to licensure requirements for registered nurses in Manitoba have drawn renewed attention to broader systemic issues affecting the ability of qualified health professionals, including Nurse Practitioners, to become licensed and begin practicing in the province.

Manitoba continues to face significant health care staffing shortages, yet many qualified health professionals, such as nurse practitioners, experience delays or denials in regulatory registration due to regulations that do not reflect their education, training, or language fluency. Requirements such as English language testing for nurses educated and trained in English-speaking jurisdictions, such as Manitoba or other Canadian provinces, have presented persistent and unnecessary obstacles to practice in Manitoba.

While the removal of the currency-of-practice requirement for Canadian labour mobility applicants may ease registration for some, it highlights the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach to modernizing registered nurse licensure standards. The goal must be to ensure public safety while also removing outdated barriers that prevent experienced professionals from entering the workforce. For example, nurse practitioners are the only health professionals in Canada that do not self-regulate themselves, this outdated regulatory structure has led to barriers for nurse practitioners to obtain licensure.

Other provinces and territories have implemented regulatory processes that are both rigorous and responsive to allow more flexibility and prevent unintentional barriers to practice. These regulatory changes have supported timely licensure without compromising the quality of care. These standards prioritize fairness, clarity, and public protection, and can serve as models for thoughtful reform in Manitoba.

The Nurse Practitioners Association of Manitoba (NPAM) remains committed to advocating for clear, evidence-based, and equitable pathways to practice for all qualified Nurse Practitioners. As a professional association dedicated to advancing excellence in care and ensuring access for all Manitobans, NPAM supports efforts to reduce administrative and systemic barriers. The recognition by government of these long-standing challenges, and the steps now being taken to address them, are important and appreciated. Continued collaboration between regulatory bodies, government, and professional associations will be essential to building a stronger and more responsive health care system for everyone in Manitoba.

The time to act is now. Manitoba’s communities deserve full access to the safe, competent, and high-quality care that Nurse Practitioners are ready to provide.