How much does it cost to get licensed as a nurse in Manitoba (2025 update)
Summary:
Obtaining your nursing licence in Manitoba costs under $1,000 CAD, with annual renewals of about $750. The process, managed by the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM), is fully online and supported by a registration coordinator. You can recoup the cost within a few shifts once you start working.
Quick Read Version : Skip to “licensing requirements” section if you want an overview of the cost, or see the FAQ for specific questions.
Disclosure : This article is published by Canadian Health Care Agency, a healthcare staffing agency. While we facilitate travel nurse jobs and travel RN jobs, we’re committed to providing comprehensive information to help you grow your career and make informed decisions.
Why Choose Travel Nursing in Manitoba?
Manitoba’s healthcare system provides diverse travel nursing opportunities through provincial programs and leading agencies. Nurses can find short-term local contracts or remote positions in Northern Manitoba with competitive pay and full benefits. The province actively recruits travel nurses to address healthcare staffing needs across communities, making it an ideal destination for nursing professionals seeking flexible assignments.
Less patients for a higher responsibility level
Working as a travel nurse up north is a way of getting more autonomy and to tailor your clinical judgment. However, up north Manitoba is less densely populated than Ontario or British Columbia in comparaison. As a nurse, you may serve in very small hospitals or nursing stations where you’ll often be the most senior clinician on shift working in Manitoba will broader your scope of practice even more : emergency response, public health, chronic disease management, prenatal care, and sometimes even minor procedures, all in one job.
Indigenous and Community Health Focus
Remote MB communities are mostly First Nations or Métis, so cultural safety and relationship-building with Indigenous leadership is central to practice. As a RN in Manitoba, you will frequently deal with mental health and addictions. So if you want to make a difference and if those specialities are where you want to act, Manitoba may be the way to go.
In-Demand Specialties for Travel Nurses
Manitoba actively seeks nurses across various settings:
- Emergency and critical care units
- Medical-surgical departments
- Long-term care facilities
- Mental health services
- Indigenous health centers
How to Become a Travel Nurse in Manitoba
Whether you’re considering temporary nursing jobs or long-term travel nurse assignments in Manitoba, you’ll need a licence from the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba. While the licensing process might seem a bit overwhelming at first, it is a worthwhile investment – and with some organization and guidance, it is completely manageable and accessible.
Licensing Requirements
Initial Application Costs:
- Registration application: $231
- Criminal record check: around $40 to $70
- Verification of registration from current jurisdiction : ranges from $20 to $50
- Jurisprudence learning modules (mandatory – provided free of charge by CRNM)
- Certificate of practice fees : from $200 to $600.
Fees are prorated if registering partway through the year. This is there details of registration fees :
| 2025 fees | Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 |
| Period | January 1 – December 31 | April 1 – December 31 | July 1 – December 31 | October 1 – December 31 |
| Certificate of practice | $551.66 | $413.74 | $275.84 | $137.92 |
| Capital Reserve | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Legal and sustainability fund | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Certificate of Registration | $52.5 | $52.5 | $52.5 | $52.5 |
| Total | $604.16 | $466.24 | $328.34 | $190.42 |
Licensing Process
If you want to know the registration process in details, the CRNM website provides information to help you navigate the process. But here are the key points to submit a registration :
1. What document do I need to provide to the College ?
The college provides a full checklist of steps for Canadian RN applicants that you can use it to make sure you don’t miss any documents. Keep in mind that a complete application on the first try may reduce or prevent delays in obtaining your licence, so make sure you do not forget anything.
2. Application VS certification of practice fees ? What’ are the fees to get my licence ?
Application Fee (CAD $231):
- Paid once, when you submit your initial registration application to the CRNM.
- This fee covers the processing of your file.
Once your application is approved, you’ll then pay:
- The Certificate of Practice fee → to receive your license to practice.
-
Then each year, you’ll only pay to renew your Certificate of Practice (not the application fee).
Each year (between October 1 and December 1), you’ll simply need to:
- Complete the renewal form,
- Pay the Certificate of Practice renewal fee,
- Submit any required documents if applicable (e.g.,verification of practice hours, criminal record check — though it’s rarely required annually).
3. Need help with your registration ?
The College provides a Registration Pathway Coordinator to help you with your application, which takes place exclusively online. You can reach out to the coordinator before starting your application process.
For further questions once you’ve already started your licensing process, contact the registration department. You’ll get their contact details once you’ve enrolled in the registration process.
Contact the Registration Coordinator :
- Email : pathfinder@crnm.mb.ca
- Phone : 204-774-3477 , option 9
4. Once you are licensed ?
Just like other provinces, you will need to renew your licence every year. In order to do so, you’ll need to connect to your account on the college website, complete required training and pay the fees.
Source : College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
How long does it take to get your nursing licence in Manitoba ?
Overview of the Initial Application Process
The application process for the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM) typically takes about 10 business days for initial review after all required documents are submitted. However, the overall timeline depends on several factors such as :
- If your nursing degree was obtained outside of Canada, you must complete an evaluation to review your education and professional credentials from your home country to determine how they compare to Canadian nursing standards. This assessment is the first step before applying for licensure with a provincial or territorial nursing regulatory body in Canada.
- If you are a Canadian nurse who is already licensed and working in another province, you will need to contact the nursing regulatory college in that province to obtain and submit to the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM) proof of your current registration and licence.Please note that this verification process may take some time, which could delay the issuance of your licence in Manitoba.
Why getting your licence might take longer at certain times of the year
As you can see in the table above, all nursing licences in Manitoba expire on December 31, regardless of when they were issued during the year.This means that between late September and early January, the College must handle a high volume of renewal applications for nurses who are already licensed in Manitoba.
If you are an out-of-province nurse applying for your first licence in Manitoba, January may not be the best time to submit your application, as processing times are typically much longer than at any other time of the year.We strongly encourage you to apply in a different quarter to avoid extended waiting periods.
In any case, since licensing fees are prorated by quarter, your fee will be adjusted according to the remaining duration of the current licensing year — even if your registration does not start on January 1.
Is it worth it to become a travel nurse in Manitoba ?
Travel nurse jobs in Manitoba offer exceptional financial rewards, whether you choose opportunities within the public healthcare system or partner with travel nursing agencies. The comprehensive benefits and incentives for travel nurses in Manitoba make it a particularly attractive career choice, especially for positions in rural and northern communities where your skills are most needed.
Competitive Pay Rates
- Base salary
-$38-50 per hour depending on experience for a regular nurse
-Around $70 per hour depending on experience for a travel nurse
- Supplement to base salary (rate depends on the health facility)
-Standby
-Overtime
-Callback …
- Full-time commitment incentives
At the equivalent full-time hours, travel nursing in Manitoba offers a highly competitive annual earning potential — typically ranging from $120,000 to $140,000.However, one of the key advantages of travel nursing is its flexibility. You choose your assignments, which means you have control over your schedule and, ultimately, your income. Whether you prefer to work back-to-back contracts or take extended breaks between assignments, your earnings can adjust accordingly to fit your lifestyle and goals.
Additional Financial Benefits
- Fully covered accommodation during assignments
- Paid travel time under conditions
- Reimbursement for mileage or coverage of transportation expenses.
- Daily meal per diem: $55
- Performance incentives
Will I earn more with a Manitoba RN licence ?
Getting licensed in Manitoba costs under $1,000 in the first year. After that, you only renew your Certificate of Practice (≈$750/year), since the application fee is a one-time expense.
Between northern travel nursing rates, paid travel time, mileage, housing, and bonus programs, this cost is usually recovered in just one or two shifts. Beyond that, your licence provides access to stable, travel nursing assignments with additional financial incentives depending on your employer. At CHCA, we have a comprehensive incentives program to encourage licensing and training. We invest in the growth of our nurses with :
- Licensing Support Incentives
We provide financial assistance to help you obtain licensure in an additional province outside of Ontario.
- First Assignment Incentives
Earn $1,000 when you complete your first assignment within three months of being hired.
- Other Seasonal Incentives
Additional incentives may be offered during specific periods of high demand or seasonal needs, subject to organizational priorities and budget availability.
*All incentives are subject to conditions. Contact us to learn more!
As an Ontario Nurse, Why Start the Licensing Process in Manitoba?
Multi-province authorization: where the field is heading (and why it matters)
Mobility is often mentioned as a possible trend shaping the future of nursing in Canada— and that means more doors opening for travel nurses. With provinces streamlining multi-licensure, nurses can move faster into high-demand placements. For Ontario nurses, securing a licence in Manitoba broadens professional horizons and strengthens career resilience — from Winnipeg’s hospitals to northern communities.
Why multi-licensure pays off for nurses (today and next):
| More choice, more flexibility. |
With cross-border barriers easing, multi-licensure enables you to take on short-term nursing contracts in Manitoba, secure travel nursing opportunities, or combine urban rotations with remote assignments — all without bureaucratic delays. |
| Better compensation mix. |
Competitive compensation packages, salary premiums for travel nurses in Manitoba, and benefits such as housing and food allowances in the North provide tangible benefits and strong incentives — making multi-licensure and travel nursing opportunities in Manitoba well worth considering. . |
| Skills and resilience. | Rotations across varied practice settings build clinical range and confidence while supporting underserved communities — exactly what Manitoba’s provincial travel frameworks are designed to do. (healthcare careers Manitoba) |
👉 Continue reading the full guide on multi-province nursing authorization
Start Your Manitoba Travel Nursing Journey
Your investment in a Manitoba nursing license typically pays for itself within the first few weeks of your assignment. The combination of competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and diverse opportunities makes travel nursing in Manitoba an excellent career choice.
Ready to explore travel nursing opportunities in Manitoba? Contact our team today to learn more about available positions and receive guidance through the licensing process. Your adventure in travel nursing awaits!
FAQs About Travel Nursing in Manitoba
- What are the licensing requirements for travel nurses in Manitoba?
Travel nurses must obtain a Manitoba nursing license through CRNM, complete a criminal record check, and provide verification of registration from previous jurisdictions.
- How much do travel nurses make in Manitoba?
Base rates range from $38 to $50 per hour for regular nurses and approximately $70 per hour for travel nurses, with additional compensation for callbacks and overtime hours.
Overall, total compensation packages typically range from $120,000 to $140,000 annually, based on the equivalent hours of a full-time position.
- Are housing and travel covered for travel nurses in Manitoba?
Yes, most assignments include fully covered accommodation and travel reimbursement, plus daily meal per diems of $55.
- Can I choose my preferred location and specialty?
Yes, you can select assignments based on your preferences and qualifications, though flexibility may increase your opportunities.
- How long does it take to get your licence in Manitoba ?
It typically takes about 10 business days for the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM) to review your application once all documents are received.However, the overall timeline may vary depending on the specific documents required and the time of year your application is submitted.
Disclamer :
The content shared here is for informational purposes only. It should not be taken as professional advice about licensing or career decisions. Always check with the relevant regulatory authority for official information.
Sources and References
- College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba – Registration for Canadian RNs (licensing process & fees)crnm.mb.cacrnm.mb.ca; Jurisprudence Module Requirementscrnm.mb.cacrnm.mb.ca
- Government of Manitoba – Provincial Travel Nurse Team – incentives and benefitshealthcareersmanitoba.cahealthcareersmanitoba.ca; Travel Nurse FAQhealthcareersmanitoba.ca
- Job Bank & ZipRecruiter – Manitoba RN Wage Data (2025)jobbank.gc.caziprecruiter.com
- Canadian Health Care Agency (CHCA) – Travel nursing in Northern Canada (blog & about us)
- Here are the English sources from the deep research I used — focused on mobility/licensure changes and travel nursing in Manitoba:
- Ontario Ministry of Health — “As of Right” Guidance Document (how out-of-province nurses and health professionals can start working in Ontario right away): Ontario.ca PDF
- College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) — “Transforming how nurses work across Canada” (Interjurisdictional Nurse Licensure initiative): cno.org
- CNO Statement on Ontario’s As of Right plan : cno.org
- Ontario Government News Release — “New ‘As of Right’ Rules a First in Canada …” : news.ontario.ca
- WiseHealthLaw — legal analysis of As of Right for health professionals : wisehealthlaw.ca
- Health Careers Manitoba — Travel Nursing page (salary incentives, paid travel/accommodation, benefits): healthcareersmanitoba.ca
- Northern Health Region (MB) — Provincial Travel Nursing Team (roles, pay, incentives): northernhealthregion.com
- Shared Health Manitoba — “Unpacking the Travel Nursing Experience in Manitoba” (nurse testimonials, flexibility, travel support) : sharedhealthmb.ca
- Health Careers Manitoba — Incentives & Benefits for Nurses (licensing reimbursement, relocation supports): healthcareersmanitoba.ca
- Manitoba Nurses’ Union — Government grants and incentives (Recruitment & Retention Fund, NRRF): manitobanurses.ca
- Prairie Mountain Health — PDF “Grants and Incentives for Nurses” (detailed relocation and signing bonuses) : healthprofessionals.prairiemountainhealth.ca PDF
- Manitoba Government News — $123 million for nursing incentives, bonuses, travel nurse support in rural/remote regions : news.gov.mb.ca
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