Targeted Fee Changes for 2027

For the 2027 licensure year, the general practising licensure fee is not increasing.

At its June 2, 2026 meeting, CLPNS Council approved increases to specific applicant, administrative, and limited licensure-related fees. These increases are focused on areas where current fees no longer reflect the cost of delivering the related regulatory service. 

Most of the increases apply to applicants. A smaller number apply to existing LPNs, including the Non-Practising Certificate, Independent Practice Renewal, Verification of Licensure, late renewal fees, the SJLPN Licensure Fee, and the Pre-Payment Program (PPP) administrative fee. 

We know that any fee increase can have a real impact. These decisions were not made lightly and are intended to better align specific fees with the cost of providing specific services, while avoiding a general practising licensure fee increase for 2027. 

Why fees are changing 

CLPNS has worked hard to keep fees stable. The practising licensure fee remained at $400 from 2009 to 2020 and has been $450 since 2021. However, regulatory costs continue to increase. 

One of the most significant pressures is professional conduct work. By law, CLPNS must review and investigate every complaint it receives. This work is essential to public protection, but it is complex, costly, and has very limited cost recovery. 

Other notable pressures include: 

  • Costs associated with delivering regulatory services continue to rise 
  • Membership growth is no longer offsetting those increases in the same way it has in the past 
  • Applicant-related services require significant staff time, systems support, and administrative work, and current fees do not fully cover the cost of providing these services 

The 2027 changes are intended to better align specific fees with costs, while continuing to manage increases carefully and conservatively. 

What this means  

The majority of fee increases apply to applicants. 

  • Application fees will increase by at least 25% to better reflect the cost of delivering applicant-related services 

A smaller number of changes affect LPNs in 2027: 

  • Verification of Licensure: $75.00 
  • Non-Practising Certificate: $100.00 (collected during renewal in Fall 2026 for the 2027 registration period)  
  • Independent Practice Renewal: $150.00 (collected during renewal in Fall 2026 for the 2027 registration period) 
  • Pre-Payment Plan (PPP) Administrative Fee: $1.50/month 
  • Late Renewal Fee: $125.00  
  • SJLPN Licensure Fee: $225.00 (collected during renewal in Fall 2026 for the 2027 registration period) 

A closer look at key changes 

Non-Practising Certificate: 

The non-practising category supports LPNs during life and career transitions, such as parental leave, medical leave, education, and retirement planning. It also requires ongoing administrative support, including renewals, status changes, and pre-payment plan adjustments. 

The increase reflects these administrative costs, as well as public-protection and compliance considerations when individuals return to practice before reactivating their practising licence. 

Importantly: Fees paid while holding a non-practising certificate will continue to be applied toward a practising licence when you return, helping reduce the overall financial impact. 

Independent Practice Renewal: 

Independent Practice requires enhanced regulatory oversight, resource development, and compliance auditing. The fee adjustment reflects the cost of safely supporting this practice model. 

Audit processes have also identified instances when the required liability insurance was not in place, requiring additional follow-up and oversight to ensure compliance and protect the public. 

To support flexibility, CLPNS will consider a payment plan option for Independent Practice registrants. 

PPP Administrative Fee: 

The PPP administrative fee has not changed since the program began in 2013. This increase reflects current administrative costs. 

Late Fees: 

Late fees only apply when renewal deadlines are missed and can always be avoided by renewing on time. 

Looking ahead: 2028 Licensure Fees: 

Separate from the 2027 changes, CLPNS will also be considering a potential practising licensure fee adjustment for the 2028 licensure year. 

This reflects several realities: 

  • Fee increases have been minimal over time 
  • Professional conduct costs continue to rise and cannot be avoided or recovered 
  • CLPNS has maintained a small staff, despite substantive growth in membership. This is becoming harder to sustain.  

Any future review will consider affordability, fairness, and public accountability. CLPNS recognizes that some members may have access to employer or collective agreement reimbursement for part of their licensure fee, and where those reimbursements are publicly funded, a portion of the fee is ultimately supported through public dollars. 

CLPNS will be seeking member feedback in the near future. 

Our commitment:  

Council approached these decisions with a focus on fairness, transparency, public protection, and keeping fees tied to the cost of delivering regulatory services. 

More information will be shared in the coming months.