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LPNs
The following practical nurse education programs are approved by the Council of the CLHA as mandated by the Health Professions Act (HPA). The review process is administered by the Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC).
Practical Nurse Diploma Program Approval Status
The practical nurse diploma program is the basic education required to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alberta.
Below is a current list of CLHA-approved programs.
| Program | Main Delivery Site | Other Location(s) *Confirm with the Post Secondary Institution, as may vary. | Status | Next Review Date |
| ABES College | Calgary | Approval to implement | Fall 2027 | |
| Bow Valley College | Calgary | Airdrie, Okotoks, Strathmore, Cochrane | Full Approval | Winter 2025 |
| Columbia College | Calgary | Full Approval | Fall 2025 | |
| Keyano College | Fort McMurray | Conditional Approval | Fall 2026 | |
| Lethbridge Polytechnic | Lethbridge | Full Approval | Fall 2026 | |
| Medicine Hat College | Medicine Hat | Brooks Campus | Full Approval | Spring 2030 |
| NorQuest College | Edmonton | Wetaskiwin, Mobile Lab | Full Approval | Winter 2026 |
| NorQuest College (Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN)) | Edmonton | Full Approval | Fall 2030 | |
| Northern Lakes College | Slave Lake | Lloydminster, Grande Prairie (Year 2), Home-Based (High Prairie), Peace River/High Level, Wabasca | Full Approval | Fall 2025 |
| Northwestern Polytechnic | Grande Prairie | Fairview | Full Approval | Fall 2029 |
| Portage College | Cold Lake | Lac La Biche, St. Paul | Full Approval | Winter 2030 |
| Red Deer Polytechnic | Red Deer | Drumheller and Ponoka, Rocky Mountain House and Stettler | Full Approval | Winter 2029 |
| Red Deer Polytechnic | Three Hills | Brokered* Three Hills (Prairie College) | Full Approval | Spring 2030 |
(Table updated August 2025)
*Brokered = Post-Secondary Institutions that enter into agreements to deliver another institution’s approved program.
The program approval timeline is dependent on the approval status and is guided by the Standards for Diploma Program Approval of Practical Nurse Education (2019). This process includes an in-depth review of the curriculum and program delivery models and site visits to the educational institution and clinical placement sites. The CLHA’s Council makes the approval decision based on the results of the program review.
Refresher Program Approval Status
Practical nurse refresher programs support a return to practice for individuals who were previously registered with the CLHA on the general register but are no longer eligible for Active registration.
Below is a current list of CLHA-approved programs.
| Program | Main Delivery Site | Other Location(s) *Confirm with the Post Secondary Institution, as may vary. | Status | Next Review Date |
| Lethbridge Polytechnic | Lethbridge (distance delivery) | Full Approval | Fall 2026 | |
(Table updated September, 2024)
Advanced Authorization Education Approval Status
To practice in areas of Advanced Practice, LPNs are required to complete CLHA-approved advanced training or education in the areas of Advanced Practice Foot Care, Advanced Practice Perioperative Nursing, and Advanced Practice Orthopedic Nursing.
Restricted Activities and Advanced Authorizations
Below is a current list of CLHA-approved programs.
Advanced Practice Foot Care Programs
| Program | Main Delivery Site | Other Location(s) *Confirm with the Post Secondary Institution, as may vary. | Status | Next Review Date |
| Alberta Foot Care Academy | Calgary | Conditional Approval | Ongoing | |
| Edmonton Foot Care Academy | Edmonton | Full Approval | Winter 2027 | |
| NorQuest College | Edmonton | Full Approval | Winter 2027 |
(Table updated March 22, 2024)
Advanced Practice Perioperative Nursing Programs
| Program | Main Delivery Site | Other Location(s) *Confirm with the Post Secondary Institution, as may vary. | Status | Next Review Date |
| MacEwan University | Edmonton | Full Approval | Fall 2027 | |
| Bow Valley College | Calgary | Approval to Implement | Fall 2026 |
(Table updated December 7, 2023)
Advanced Practice Orthopedic Nursing Programs
| Program | Main Delivery Site | Other Location(s) *Confirm with the Post Secondary Institution, as may vary. | Status | Next Review Date |
| NorQuest College | Edmonton | Full Approval | Fall 2027 |