IPSPL: how to become a primary care nurse practitioner
Bachelor's degree, OIIQ licence, 3,360 hours of experience, 75 graduate credits, specialty exam: the path to IPSPL, with the source for each step.
IPSPL means primary care nurse practitioner. To become a primary care nurse practitioner (IPSPL), the path is: a bachelor's degree, the licence of the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ), Quebec's order of nurses, 3,360 hours of experience, 75 graduate credits and a specialty exam. This text also applies to male nurses.
What sets the "primary care" class apart
Section 27 of the Regulation respecting specialized nurse practitioners (chapter I-8, r. 15.1.1.1, up to date as of June 1, 2026) defines the class: the primary care specialized nurse practitioner carries out the activities referred to in section 36.1 of the Nurses Act (chapter I-8) with clients of all ages who require local care, including those with mental health problems.
Under section 2, local care addresses common and varied health problems and relies on light infrastructure. The neonatology, adult care and pediatric care classes address specialized or highly specialized care (sections 23, 25 and 26). The role and the nine activities of the nurse practitioner are in our article on the nurse practitioner. This article is neither legal advice nor union advice.
The path, step by step
| Step | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Bachelor's degree | Undergraduate university degree in nursing | OIIQ |
| 2. Licence | OIIQ professional exam | OIIQ |
| 3. Experience | At least two years of practice, including one year with the target clientele | OIIQ |
| 4. Graduate studies | Master's degree and complementary diploma, at least 510 hours of theory and 950 hours of internships | OIIQ |
| 5. IPS candidate | Practice certificate, on proof of hiring | Regulation, section 7 |
| 6. Specialty exam | 3 year deadline, 2 retakes | Regulation, sections 10 and 17 |
| 7. Specialist certificate | Issued after passing the exam | Regulation, section 4 |
OIIQ: page "Parcours académique et professionnel", consulted on October 10, 2026.
For the start of the path, see the CEPI and the clinical nurse.
The experience required for admission
Université Laval requires, as of March 1, 3,360 hours of direct care in the last five years, including 1,680 hours in primary care. The Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) requires the same 3,360 hours, acquired in Quebec, including 1,680 hours in a CLSC (local community service centre), medical clinic, GMF (family medicine group), emergency room or CHSLD (long-term care centre). It does not count CEPI experience.
The studies: 75 credits
| Université Laval | UQAR | |
|---|---|---|
| Programs | Master's (45 credits) and DESS (30 credits) at the same time | DESS (30 credits), then master's (45 credits) |
| Length | 2 years full time, 3 years part time | Full time only |
| Required average | 3.00 out of 4.33 in the bachelor's degree | 3.0 out of 4.3 in the DESS to enter the master's |
| Spots | Not posted | 16 per year, Lévis and Rimouski |
Pages of both universities, consulted on October 10, 2026.
Both admit in the fall. At Laval, the last year is full time because of the internships. At UQAR, six months of internship follow the theory. Université de Sherbrooke also offers this path, in Sherbrooke and Longueuil (page of September 8, 2026).
IPS candidate, then the exam
Section 30 of the regulation allows the IPS candidate (CIPS) who holds a practice certificate to carry out the activities of a nurse practitioner. A nurse practitioner or a physician in the same field is designated as supervisor and remains available at all times.
Section 13 requires at least one exam session per year for each class. The OIIQ usually offers two, in November and May. The registration fee posted on October 10, 2026 is $770.33. The next session takes place on November 2, 2026. Section 10 allows an extra delay of up to 1 year for a serious reason.
The ministry scholarship: $60,000 for 6,000 hours
The Department of Health's ministerial scholarship program (July 2023) pays $60,000 in two payments of $30,000. The second arrives at the start of the second year. Its conditions:
- be a member in good standing of the OIIQ
- be admitted without conditions to a nurse practitioner program in Quebec, full time or part time
- graduate within a maximum of five years
- then work 6,000 hours in a public institution targeted by the ministry
Leaves do not count toward the 6,000 hours. The program requires repayment of the whole scholarship for a voluntary withdrawal in the first year or a move to the private sector, regardless of hours worked. Someone who stops practising as a nurse practitioner repays on a prorated basis. Nothing is required after three exam failures.
The ministry's page was modified on May 12, 2026. The list of scholarship programs on Québec.ca, up to date as of July 29, 2026, does not name this scholarship. Confirm that it is offered: Bourses_IPS@msss.gouv.qc.ca.
What changes on the pay
The network nomenclature, version of September 15, 2026, places the clinical nurse (title 1911) from $31.06 to $55.04 an hour. The nurse practitioner (title 1915) earns from $34.86 to $73.20, over 40 hours a week. See the article on the nurse practitioner and the nurse salary.
How many IPSPL
The OIIQ 2024-2025 annual report counts 1,836 members on the Roll who hold a nurse practitioner certificate. It does not break this total down by class. The Order issued 299 certificates during the year, including 181 in primary care. Some IPSPL work in nurse practitioner clinics.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you become an IPSPL?
According to the OIIQ, you need a bachelor's degree in nursing, the Order's licence and at least two years of practice, including one year with the target clientele. Then come the master's degree, the complementary diploma and the specialty exam, which leads to the specialist certificate.
What is a nurse practitioner's salary?
In the public network, the nurse practitioner (title 1915) earns from $34.86 to $73.20 an hour since April 1, 2026, over 40 hours a week. These rates come from the nomenclature of September 15, 2026.
How long are the studies to become an IPSPL?
Université Laval estimates 2 years full time for the 75 credits. The bachelor's degree and the 3,360 hours of experience come first.
Can you do the IPSPL training part time?
Université Laval allows it over 3 years, with the last year full time. UQAR offers the program full time only.
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Sources
- LégisQuébec, Regulation respecting specialized nurse practitioners, chapter I-8, r. 15.1.1.1, sections 2, 4, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17, 23 to 27 and 30, up to date as of June 1, 2026
- OIIQ, Parcours académique et professionnel, Rôle de l'IPS, Candidate infirmière praticienne spécialisée and Examen de spécialité IPS, consulted on October 10, 2026
- OIIQ, Rapport annuel 2024-2025, fiscal year ended March 31, 2025
- Université Laval, Maîtrise en sciences infirmières, soins de première ligne, consulted on October 10, 2026
- Université du Québec à Rimouski, Maîtrise en sciences infirmières (IPS soins de première ligne), program 2259, consulted on October 10, 2026
- Université de Sherbrooke, Maîtrise en sciences infirmières, updated September 8, 2026
- Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, Programme ministériel de bourses d'études, infirmières praticiennes spécialisées, summary (23-945-10W) and full program (23-945-08W), July 2023, page modified May 12, 2026
- Gouvernement du Québec, À propos des programmes de bourses d'études du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, up to date as of July 29, 2026
- Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, Nomenclature des titres d'emploi, des libellés, des taux et des échelles de salaire du réseau de la santé et des services sociaux, pages III.63 and III.67, September 15, 2026