Duolingo English Test for Nursing in Canada: 22 Ontario Practical Nursing (RPN) Colleges and Their DET Score Requirements (2026)
Ontario Practical Nursing (RPN)
22 Colleges Checked (2026)
1 Can You Get Into Nursing in Canada with a Duolingo Score?
A few years ago, the answer was mostly no.
Nursing and other health programs in Canada usually asked for IELTS or TOEFL. Many applicants with a strong Duolingo English Test (DET) score could not even submit an application.
That has changed. Teacher Sam went through all 22 public colleges in Ontario that run a Practical Nursing program and checked each program page, not just the general admissions page.
The result: 20 of the 22 accept international students, and 17 of those 20 accept the DET.
This post gives you the full picture for each college: whether international students can apply, whether the DET is accepted, the minimum overall score, the subscore conditions, and whether a pathway program is required first.
2 What Is an RPN? A 2-Year Route into Canadian Nursing
RPN stands for Registered Practical Nurse. This is the title used in Ontario. In British Columbia, Alberta, and several other provinces, the same role is called LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse).
Here is how the route works in Ontario:
This is why Practical Nursing attracts so many international applicants. It is a recognized nursing credential on its own, and it can also serve as a step toward an RN degree later.
3 About This Series
This is the first post in the Duolingo English Test for Nursing series. Each post checks the English requirements listed on the nursing program page itself, because the nursing requirement is often different from the college's general requirement.
- Ontario Practical Nursing (RPN) Colleges — 22 Colleges ▶ Here
- Ontario BScN Programs and RPN-to-RN Bridging 🔜
- British Columbia Nursing Programs 🔜
- Alberta Nursing Programs 🔜
- Manitoba and Saskatchewan Nursing Programs 🔜
- US Nursing Schools: California 🔜
- US Nursing Schools: New York and New Jersey 🔜
- US Nursing Schools: Washington State 🔜
- US Nursing Schools: Other States 🔜
4 Quick Results: 22 Ontario RPN Colleges at a Glance
For international applicants, 17 out of 20 options now accept the Duolingo English Test. Preparing for IELTS is no longer the only way into a Canadian nursing program.
5 Which Colleges Can You Apply To with Your DET Score?
Find your current or target Duolingo score below.
- Niagara College, WellandAll subscores 95 or higher
- Fleming College, Peterborough
- Cambrian College, Sudbury105 to 115, as published by the college
- George Brown College, TorontoProduction 90 or higher
- Centennial College, Toronto
- Georgian College, Barrie
- Seneca Polytechnic, Toronto115 to 120, as published by the college
- Sheridan College, Brampton115, all subscores 95 or higher
- Mohawk College, Hamilton115 to 120, all subscores 105 or higher
- Humber Polytechnic, TorontoLiteracy 120 or higher, all other subscores 105 or higher
- Conestoga College, KitchenerPre-Health pathway required; Kitchener campus only for international students
- St. Clair College, Windsor
- Canadore College, North Bay
- Confederation College, Thunder BaySpeaking, Conversation, and Production 120 or higher
- Sault College, Sault Ste. MarieAll subscores 115 or higher
- Algonquin College, OttawaLiteracy 120 or higher, all other subscores 105 or higher; 4-month health pathway required
- Fanshawe College, LondonSpeaking and Writing 130 or higher, all other subscores 125 or higher; Pre-Health pathway required
- Durham College, St. Lawrence College, Northern College
- Loyalist College, Lambton College
6 College-by-College Breakdown by Region
Your score is only one part of the decision. Clinical placement options, rent, city size, and job prospects after graduation vary a lot across Ontario. Each college below links to its official Practical Nursing page.
Regions in this post are grouped by how students usually search for schools. They may differ from official government regions.
📍 Greater Toronto Area (7 colleges)
The GTA has the largest concentration of hospitals, long-term care homes, and community health employers in Ontario, which means a wide range of clinical placement settings. It is also the most expensive region for housing, and competition for seats is the strongest here.
📍 Southwestern Ontario (6 colleges)
This region connects mid-sized cities with very different profiles: Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, London, Niagara, and Windsor. Housing is generally more affordable than in the GTA, and Hamilton and London are home to major teaching hospitals. Two colleges here require a pathway program first, and one does not admit international students to Practical Nursing.
Pre-Health Sciences Pathway page
📍 Eastern Ontario (4 colleges)
Eastern Ontario centres on Ottawa and Kingston. Ottawa is the national capital and a bilingual city, so French skills can be an advantage in some health care jobs. Kingston is a mid-sized university city with a strong hospital network.
📍 Northern Ontario (5 colleges)
Northern Ontario has lower population density and long distances between cities. Sudbury, North Bay, Thunder Bay, Timmins, and Sault Ste. Marie serve as regional health care hubs for large surrounding areas. Living costs are the lowest in the province, but winters are long and cold, and the cities are smaller.
7 Two Traps to Check Before You Apply
Durham College's general admissions page lists a DET minimum of 105 for international students. The Practical Nursing program page tells a different story: it asks for IELTS Academic 7.0 with no band below 6.5, or TOEFL. The DET is not listed.
Conestoga follows a similar pattern. Its general diploma programs accept a DET of 110, but Practical Nursing is listed as an exception program with a minimum of 120.
If you set your target score based on the college homepage, you may end up 10 points short, or apply with a test the program does not accept. Always go to the Practical Nursing program page itself.
Several colleges set subscore minimums on top of the overall score:
- Humber: Literacy 120+
- Confederation: Speaking, Conversation, and Production 120+
- Sault: every subscore 115+
- Fanshawe: Speaking and Writing 130+
An overall score of 120 may not be enough if one subscore falls below the line.
The reason is practical. Nurses talk with patients, hand over care to colleagues, and document everything in writing. Programs want evidence that every skill area is strong enough for clinical work.
So if nursing is your goal, raising your overall score is only half the job. You also need to find your weakest area and bring it up. If your Speaking or Writing results swing from test to test, the structure of your answers is usually the first thing to fix.
One more note: colleges label DET subscores differently. Some use integrated labels such as Literacy, Conversation, and Production. Others use skill labels such as Speaking and Writing. Match each requirement to your score report exactly as the college words it.
A structured plan helps. DET 120+ in 30 Days walks through each question type with score-focused strategies for Speaking and Writing.
8 What Else to Know Before You Apply
Meeting the English minimum is only the first filter
Practical Nursing is one of the most competitive college programs in Ontario. Unless a program is undersubscribed, applicants who meet the English requirement are then ranked, often by their grades in prerequisite courses such as English, Math, Biology, and Chemistry or Physics. Check each program's prerequisites and how your grades compare before you apply.
Pathway programs add time and cost
Conestoga and Fanshawe require a Pre-Health pathway, and Algonquin requires a 4-month health pathway. Finishing the pathway does not guarantee a place in Practical Nursing; admission can still be competitive based on pathway results. Plan your total study time and tuition with the pathway included.
International intake can change by campus and term
Conestoga runs Practical Nursing at several campuses, but currently admits international students at the Kitchener campus only. Conditions like this can change from one intake to the next. Confirm on the college website when you apply.
Study permit planning
International college applicants need a study permit, and in most cases a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) as part of that process. Rules for study permits and post-graduation work permits have changed several times in recent years. Check the current requirements on the official IRCC website before you commit to a program.
Clinical placement documents
Practical Nursing includes placements in hospitals and care facilities, so colleges ask for several documents before clinical work begins. Requirements vary, but they commonly include:
Late documents can delay your placement, which can delay graduation. Gather your immunization records from your home country before you arrive.
9 FAQ: Duolingo English Test for Nursing in Canada
Does Canada accept the Duolingo English Test for nursing programs?
Many programs do. As of September 2026, 20 of Ontario's 22 public Practical Nursing programs accept international students, and 17 of those 20 accept the DET. Three of them (Conestoga, Fanshawe, Algonquin) require a pathway program first.
What is the lowest Duolingo score accepted for Practical Nursing in Ontario?
The lowest minimum found was 105, at Niagara College (all subscores 95+), Fleming College, and Cambrian College (105 to 115). Meeting the minimum makes you eligible to apply, but admission is usually competitive.
Which Ontario colleges do not accept the DET for Practical Nursing?
Durham College, St. Lawrence College, and Northern College. Durham accepts the DET for most programs, but not for Practical Nursing.
Can international students study Practical Nursing in Ontario?
Yes, at 20 of the 22 public colleges. Loyalist College and Lambton College currently limit Practical Nursing to domestic students. Intake rules can change, so confirm before applying.
Is an RPN the same as an LPN?
It is the same role with a different title. Ontario uses RPN, while provinces such as British Columbia and Alberta use LPN. Registration rules differ by province, so check the regulator in the province where you plan to work.
Can I become an RN after finishing an RPN program?
Yes. Several universities and colleges offer bridging programs for Practical Nursing graduates, leading to a BScN. Admission requirements and transfer credits vary. Part 2 of this series covers these routes.
Is the overall DET score enough?
Not always. Several programs set subscore minimums. For example, Sault College requires every subscore to be 115 or higher, and Fanshawe College requires 130 or higher in Speaking and Writing.
Does completing a Pre-Health pathway guarantee admission to Practical Nursing?
No. Conestoga and Fanshawe require international applicants to complete a Pre-Health pathway, but completion does not guarantee a seat. Selection can be competitive based on pathway results.
Is the DET score I use for admission also valid for nursing registration?
Not necessarily. College admission requirements and licensing requirements are separate. Language proficiency for registration is set by the College of Nurses of Ontario, not by the college. Check CNO's current requirements separately before you plan your route.
What DET score should I aim for if I want to study nursing in Ontario?
A target of 120 covers most of the programs in this post. It does not cover every program, since some add subscore conditions and Fanshawe asks for 135. Set a target for both your overall score and your subscores.
10 Final Words from Teacher Sam
A few years ago, most nursing programs in Canada would not have looked at a Duolingo score. Today, the DET is accepted by most Ontario Practical Nursing programs open to international students.
Requirements still differ from college to college. Some start at 105, most sit at 120, and Fanshawe asks for 135 with high subscores. International intake, pathway rules, and campus availability also vary. Build your plan around the official program page of the college you actually want, not a single number.
Set your target, find your weakest subscore, and work on it first.
All scores in this post were checked in September 2026. Requirements can change by academic year and intake, so confirm on each official program page before you apply. The full list is available here: CNO-approved Practical Nursing programs in Ontario.
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