On September 14, 2026, Health Canada announced an interim policy to modernize Canada’s clinical trial framework, amending the eligibility of those deemed ‘qualified investigators’ to support competency-based approaches, expanding this designation beyond physicians and dentists to include nurse practitioners and other providers such as RNs or pharmacists who may want to lead research in line with their scope of practice.
Importantly, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are now eligible to be designated as ‘qualified investigators’. This means that NPs will be able to lead and provide oversight on interventional clinical trials that are regulated by Health Canada in line with jurisdictional scope of practice, education, and training. The requirements are similar to what is already required for the NP designation, recognizing the advanced expertise that NPs hold.
NPs not only lead in clinical settings, but also on critical research and teaching initiatives that are on the cutting-edge of medical, scientific, and health-focused knowledge. NPs take on the role of Most Responsible Provider (MRP) in primary care, hospitals, correctional facilities, and in long-term care. They also lead scientific inquiry in academic and research positions. NPs direct research and scholarship programs, often alongside their clinical practice. The modernization of the trial framework reflects the autonomy NPs already have clinically, and the leadership they demonstrate in all aspects of their practice.
The modernization of the policy follows significant professional parity advocacy by NPAO. We began to work on this issue when our members identified the gap as an opportunity for advocacy efforts that followed. NPAO met with government officials from Health Canada to discuss how NPs could be more appropriately integrated in Canada’s clinical trial framework. These changes speak to the effectiveness of our advocacy, and we remain committed to seeing the modernization of this framework through to its implementation.
The impacts of the expanded eligibility will be significant to support new and existing NP-led research initiatives, many of which are examining under-explored yet critical issues, and doing so both in major urban research hubs as well as Ontario’s remote & rural communities.
NPAO is proud of our advocacy on this issue, as a testament to the leadership and resolve demonstrated by our members. We will continue to work to ensure that NPs’experience, leadership, drive, and expertise are reflected in policy, so that they are able to work to the full scope of their abilities in all aspects of their practice.
Download the position statement here.
