Legislated scopes of practice across Canada: Licensed practical nurses
Back to ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ workforce scopes of practice
Other infographics in this series:
Text version of infographic
| N.L.* | P.E.I. | N.S. | N.B. | Que. | Ont. | Man.†| Sask.‡ | Alta. | B.C. | Nun. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment and therapeutic management | |||||||||||
| Refer to other health professionals | Full | – | Restricted | Full | Restricted | Full | Full | Restricted | Restricted | – | Restricted |
| Order X-rays | Out of scope | – | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Restricted | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope |
| Communicate diagnoses and test results to patients | Out of scope | – | Restricted | Restricted | Out of scope | Out of scope | Restricted | Out of scope | Restricted | Out of scope | Out of scope |
| Treatments/interventions | |||||||||||
| Perform an electrocardiogram | Full | – | Full | Restricted | Restricted | Full | Full | Restricted | Full | Restricted | Full |
| Apply cast | Full | – | Restricted | Full | Restricted | Out of scope | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted |
| Apply restraints | Restricted | – | Full | Full | Restricted | Full | Full | Full | Full | Restricted | Out of scope |
| Conduct mental health screening | Full | – | Full | Full | Restricted | Full | Restricted | Full | Full | Restricted | Full |
| Conduct substance use screening | Full | – | Full | Full | Restricted | Full | Full | Restricted | Full | Restricted | Full |
| Pharmacotherapy | |||||||||||
| Prescribe pharmacotherapy | Out of scope | – | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope |
| Prescribe controlled substances | Out of scope | – | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope |
| Administer vaccines | Full | Full | Full | Restricted | Restricted | Full | Full | Full | Restricted | Restricted | Full |
| Other | |||||||||||
| Independently manage labour and delivery | Out of scope | – | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Restricted | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope |
| Pronounce death | Full | – | Full | Full | Out of scope | Full | Full | Full | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted |
| Admit to long-term care facilities | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope | Out of scope |
| Hold disease management clinics (foot care, diabetes) | Full | – | Full | Full | Restricted | Full | Full | Restricted | Full | Full | Full |
Notes
This publication presents the status of selected scopes of practice for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in participating provinces and territories as of December 2021. Any updates made to scopes after December 2021 are not reflected. For the status of additional scope items, please refer to ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Workforce Scopes of Practice in Canada, 2021 — Data Tables (XLSX).
* Scopes of practice for LPNs are not outlined in legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador. They are determined by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador.
†The Manitoba Regulated ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Professions Act (RHPA) sets out which specific reserved acts a profession can perform and any limits or conditions on the performance of these acts. The RHPA applies to those regulated professions that have transitioned to governance under the act. RNs transitioned under the RHPA in 2018 while LPNs are in the process of making the transition. As of December 2021, the RHPA did not apply to LPNs who were governed by the Licensed Practical Nurses Act.
‡ LPN legislation in Saskatchewan does not specifically define the scope of practice for LPNs. LPNs can perform activities within their education and training for the purposes of providing care, promoting health and preventing illness. They cannot perform activities that are deemed protected in legislation related to another type of health professional (e.g., physician) or activities that are prohibited by other legislation/regulations.
— Data is not available or not applicable.
Scopes of practice for LPNs are not legislated in the Northwest Territories. LPNs in the Northwest Territories must practise nursing in accordance with guidelines determined by their employer.
Scopes of practice for LPNs are not legislated in Yukon. LPNs in Yukon must practise nursing within the confines of their knowledge and abilities, and in accordance with any restrictions on their licence.
In Ontario, LPNs are called registered practical nurses. For the purposes of ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨reporting, and to maintain continuity between provinces and territories, they are referred to as LPNs.
Full scope of practice refers to legislation allowing health care professionals to perform the identified activity without any constraints.
Restricted scope of practice refers to legislation limiting or reducing the ability of health care professionals to perform the identified activity. Limitations include requirements for additional education or training, an order or prescription from another health care professional specifying the work to be done, and other limitations on the performance of the activity.
Out of scope refers to legislation prohibiting health care professionals from performing the identified activity.
For additional context and information regarding data on scopes of practice, please refer to ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Workforce Scopes of Practice, 2021 — Interpretive Notes (PDF).
Source
Regulatory bodies for LPNs in Canada.
How to cite:
Canadian Institute for ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Information. Legislated scopes of practice across Canada: Licensed practical nurses. Accessed January 8, 2025.
If you would like ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨information in a different format, visit our Accessibility page.