Exam Blueprint

The CPNRE Blueprint outlines the content tested on the national exam. For the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination, the content consists of the competencies that an entry-level practical nurse is required to possess in order to practise safely and effectively in a Canadian healthcare setting.

Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination Blueprint 2012-2016 ¹

The CPNRE Blueprint contains the following important information:

• The complete list of CPNRE competencies that candidates will be tested on
• A description of the three competency categories which make up the Competency Framework:


• Professional, ethical and legal practice
• Foundations of practice
• Collaborative practice


• The number of competencies in each competency category
• The percentage of exam questions from each competency category
• A description of the three cognitive levels that the exam questions are testing:


• Knowledge/Comprehension
• Application
• Critical Thinking


• The distribution of questions by cognitive level
• The exam length and format
• How questions are presented on the exam
• How the pass mark is set
• A glossary of terms

¹ The contact information for the regulatory authorities in the CPNRE Blueprint may not be up-to-date. For the most current contact information, please go to the regulatory authorities' page on this website.