Registered psychiatric nurses are registered by BCCNM. You need a recognized psychiatric nursing program and a pass on the RPNCE.
These are the April 1, 2024 rates from the Nurses’ Bargaining Association schedule (HEABC). Members rejected the tentative 2025–2029 agreement, and we found no newer ratified schedule, so 2024 is the latest official rate.
Steps from source.
| Detail | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | BCCNM | source |
| Exam | RPNCE (Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination) must be passed for a practising licence; exam bought through Meazure Learning within 8 days of notice Exam windows and question count not shown in the page text fetched on 2026-11-01 | source |
| Regulator fees | BCCNM B.C. RPN application assessment $265 + GST; practising RPN annual registration $781.10 (Apr 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027) | source |
| Pay | NBA Level 3 (RN/RPN) first-year $41.42/h, Apr 1, 2024 | source |
| Program length | Varies by school (1 of 4 listed schools publish this). Examples: Stenberg College: 120 weeks incl. regional clinical placements and practicum | source |
| Program cost | Domestic tuition about $15,709 (Douglas, computed) to about $20,430 (KPU, computed) for the whole degree; Stenberg not published Computed from 2026-27 per-credit rates | source |
| Intakes | Varies by school (1 of 4 listed schools publish this). See each school’s row for dates checked in the last 45 days. | source |
| Funding | B.C. Access Grant (public institutions, full-time, low/middle income): up to $4,000 per 8-month year for programs under 2 years; up to $1,000 for 2+ year programs; assessed automatically with StudentAid BC application | source |
| Licence steps 1 | BCCNM | source |
| Licence steps 2 | RPNCE (Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination) must be passed for a practising licence; exam bought through Meazure Learning within 8 days of notice Exam windows and question count not shown in the page text fetched on 2026-11-01 | source |
| Licence steps 3 | BCCNM B.C. RPN application assessment $265 + GST; practising RPN annual registration $781.10 (Apr 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027) | source |
| Renewal | BCCNM B.C. RPN application assessment $265 + GST; practising RPN annual registration $781.10 (Apr 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027) | source |
| Common gotchas 1 | Douglas needs a criminal record check (within a year of start) and immunization record at applicant's cost | source |
| Common gotchas 2 | Douglas: non-refundable $350 tuition deposit on accepting a seat | source |
| Common gotchas 3 | KPU calendar lists both 123 (header) and 121 (requirements) minimum credits | source |
| School and city | Program and approval | Length | Intakes | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas College Coquitlam · Public | Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing BCCNM recognized source | 4 years, 120.50 credits | Fall 2027 applications open; Winter 2027 not accepting | About $15,709 domestic tuition, computed: 75.5 lower-level credits x $121.40 + 45 upper-level x $145.40 (2026-27 rates); excludes student fees; international $682.40/credit Computed from bylaw rates + program page credit split (120.50 credits, 45 upper-level); not a Douglas quote source | Program page |
| Douglas College Public | Psychiatric Nursing Refresher Certificate BCCNM recognized source Duplicate of Douglas BSPN row (no URL); held off pages | Listed on official registry: BCCNM recognized nursing programs | Listed on official registry: BCCNM recognized nursing programs | not published source | Not listed |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University Public | Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing BCCNM recognized source | 2 years full-time, 6 semesters, KPU Langley (after admission courses); minimum 123 credits incl. admission courses source | Fall (September) and Summer (May); limited intake; curriculum effective Sep 1, 2026 source | About $20,430 domestic tuition, computed: 123 credits x $166.10 (2026-27 rate 2.a.1) + 7% mandatory fees; credits include admission courses Computed; calendar states both 123 (header) and 121 (requirements) minimum credits source | Program page |
| Stenberg College Surrey (online theory, regional placements) · Private (PTIB) | Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing BCCNM recognized source | 120 weeks with regional clinical placements and practicum | Spring and Fall; next intake Spring 2027 (exact date not on page) | not published Tuition and fees not on program page | Program page |
The Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE), bought through Meazure Learning. We could not confirm the fee.
Under the NBA schedule, RNs and RPNs share Level 3: $41.42 an hour in the first year (April 2024 rates).
Four programs are on our list, from BCCNM. Most do not publish costs.
BCCNM says you buy it through Meazure Learning within 8 days of your exam notice.
This page relies on the official pages below. Rules, fees and processes change, so check the authority before you apply or spend money.
Links checked November 1, 2026. Found an error or a broken link? Report it.