How the CRNA Works with Employers to Protect the Public

The College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) works closely with employers and other collaborators in Alberta's health-care ecosystem to ensure that only licensed individuals are practising. The CRNA has a number of processes and tools in place to support employers.

Regulation

The CRNA is responsible for regulating individuals using the following protected titles under the Health Professions Act (HPA):

Registered nurse (RN)
Certified graduate nurse (CGN)
Nurse practitioner (NP)
Graduate nurse (GN)
Graduate nurse practitioner (GNP)

Health-care designations in the HPA that aren't listed above (including licensed practical nurse [LPN]), are governed by other colleges.

Learn more about how the CRNA's roles and responsibilities interface with various collaborators in the health-care ecosystem.

Annual Permit Renewal

One of the ways the CRNA helps ensure patient safety is by requiring all registrants to renew their permits on an annual basis. During renewal, registrants confirm that they are still qualified to provide safe, competent and ethical care.

The CRNA's practice year runs from Oct. 1 - Sept. 30 and the annual renewal period runs from Aug. 1 - Sept. 30.

Renewal application information, including registration requirements, can be found here and the permit fees for the 2026-2027 practice year can be found here.

Resources for Employers

Employers are responsible for ensuring their employees have an active practice permit. Employers and the public can look up an individual's registration and permit status using the Verify a Nurse tool on our website at any time. This tool also shows any conditions that may be attached to a permit. Employers also have access to the Nurse Verification Tool for Employers, which retrieves the registration statuses of multiple individuals at the same time and sends the results directly to an employer's email.

Additionally, employers have an obligation to report any employees licensed by the CRNA who are not meeting the Standards of Practice. All complaints received by the CRNA are reviewed according to our complaints management process.

Employer Newsletter

Employers can sign up for our Employer Newsletter, which will help keep them up to date on regulatory matters, legislative changes that apply to nursing and their responsibilities as an employer.

Through our relationship with Alberta employers, we are ensuring that Albertans can trust the care and services they receive from our registrants.