Information about item writing

The development of the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) is a collaborative effort between Canada’s Testing Company, Assessment Strategies Inc., the provincial/territorial regulatory bodies and subject matter experts (SMEs) from across Canada.

Practical nurses, practical nursing educators and managers serve a vital role in the development of the CPNRE. One important part of this contribution is item writing. This page provides current and prospective item writers with information on how to write quality multiple-choice questions for the CPNRE.

Interested in becoming an item writer for the CPNRE?

Item writing participants are nominated by their provincial/territorial regulatory body. From this list of qualified applicants, ASI selects nominees to invite. Efforts are made to ensure that all item writing groups contain a mixture of novice and experienced item writers from across the country who represent various areas of practice.

If you wish to participate in item writing, or in any other exam development activity, please complete the following form.

CPNRE Participation Form (PDF link)

Submit the completed form to your provincial/territorial regulatory body. A full list of regulatory bodies, including their contact information, can be found under “About the Exam”.

Are you writing questions for the first time?

Writing questions, especially for the first time, can seem overwhelming. The following documents will help familiarize you with the item writing process and prepare you to write your first items.

CPNRE Item Writing Information Package (PDF link)

2012-2016 CPNRE Blueprint (PDF link)

CPNRE Item Writing Terms of Reference (PDF link)