100+ Free CNPLE Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CNPLE Exam

180-185

Exam Questions

CCRNR Exam Guidelines

Exam Duration

CCRNR Candidate Handbook

$800-$1000

Average Fee (CAD)

Provincial Nursing Regulators

28%

Assessment Weight

CNPLE Exam Blueprint

22%

Management Weight

CNPLE Exam Blueprint

The CNPLE is Canada's national Nurse Practitioner licensing exam starting in 2026, replacing legacy stream-specific exams (like CNPE Family/All Ages). It contains 180-185 questions administered over a 4-hour computer-based testing window. Fees range from $800 to $1,000 CAD depending on the provincial nursing regulator.

Sample CNPLE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CNPLE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1An 18-month-old child is brought to the clinic for a routine check-up. Which of the following developmental milestones should the Nurse Practitioner expect the child to have achieved by this age?

A.Walking up steps holding a hand, stacking 3 to 4 blocks, and saying at least 10 words.

B.Running well, kicking a ball, and using 2-word phrases.

C.Jumping with both feet, stacking 6 blocks, and knowing 50 words.

D.Riding a tricycle, copying a circle, and speaking in 3-word sentences.

Explanation: By 18 months, typical development includes walking up steps with help, stacking 3 to 4 blocks, scribbling spontaneously, saying 10 to 25 words, and pointing to show someone what they want.

2A 55-year-old male patient with no significant history or family history of colorectal cancer presents for advice on screening. According to the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) guidelines, what should the Nurse Practitioner recommend?

A.Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) every 2 years starting at age 50 until 74.

B.Colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age 45.

C.Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years starting at age 40.

D.Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) annually starting at age 45 until 75.

Explanation: The CTFPHC recommends screening asymptomatic adults aged 50 to 74 who are at average risk for colorectal cancer using FIT or gFOBT every 2 years, or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years. Routine colonoscopy is not recommended as a primary screening tool for average-risk individuals by the Canadian Task Force.

3A 28-year-old pregnant patient at 26 weeks gestation presents for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening. According to Diabetes Canada guidelines, which screening protocol is preferred?

A.A 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT), followed by a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) if the 1-hour plasma glucose is between 7.8 and 11.0 mmol/L.

B.A one-step 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) administered in the fasting state.

C.A fasting plasma glucose test followed by an HbA1c test.

D.A 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) administered after a 12-hour fast.

Explanation: Diabetes Canada recommends a preferred two-step screening method: a 50 g GCT at 24-28 weeks gestation, followed by a diagnostic 75 g OGTT if the 1-hour post-GCT plasma glucose value is between 7.8 and 11.0 mmol/L. A 1-hour glucose of >= 11.1 mmol/L is diagnostic of GDM.

4A 67-year-old female patient presents to the clinic. She has no personal history of fractures and no risk factors for osteoporosis. According to Osteoporosis Canada, when should she have her first screening dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan?

A.She should be screened now, as DEXA screening is recommended for all men and women age 65 and older.

B.She does not require screening until age 70 if she remains asymptomatic.

C.DEXA is only indicated if she experiences a low-trauma fracture after age 50.

D.She should have been screened at age 50, regardless of risk factors.

Explanation: Per the 2023 Osteoporosis Canada guideline update, BMD testing is indicated at age 70 in adults with no FRAX clinical risk factors, or at age 65 to 69 only when at least one clinical risk factor is present. Since this 67-year-old has no risk factors, screening is deferred until age 70.

5A 42-year-old female presents with fatigue and cold intolerance. On physical examination, the Nurse Practitioner notes a palpable, firm, non-tender thyroid nodule measuring approximately 1.5 cm. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial diagnostic assessment?

A.Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level and thyroid ultrasound.

B.Immediate fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the nodule.

C.Thyroid scintigraphy (radioactive iodine uptake scan) and free T4.

D.Empiric therapy with levothyroxine and follow-up in 3 months.

Explanation: For a palpable thyroid nodule, the initial diagnostic steps are a serum TSH level and a thyroid ultrasound to characterize the nodule. Further investigation, such as FNAB, is guided by ultrasound characteristics and TSH levels.

6A 45-year-old male with a history of obesity presents with complaints of day-time sleepiness, morning headaches, and loud snoring. To confirm a suspected diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which diagnostic test should the Nurse Practitioner order?

A.Polysomnography (overnight sleep study).

B.Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) with spirometry.

C.Overnight pulse oximetry alone.

D.Electroencephalogram (EEG) during daytime nap.

Explanation: Polysomnography (either in-laboratory or home sleep apnea testing) is the gold standard diagnostic test to confirm obstructive sleep apnea. It monitors airflow, respiratory effort, brain waves, and oxygen saturation.

7A Nurse Practitioner is performing a physical assessment on a 72-year-old female patient. A medium-pitched, harsh systolic crescendo-decrescendo murmur is heard at the right upper sternal border. The murmur radiates to the bilateral carotid arteries. Which valvular disorder is most consistent with these findings?

A.Aortic stenosis.

B.Mitral regurgitation.

C.Aortic regurgitation.

D.Mitral stenosis.

Explanation: Aortic stenosis typically presents as a harsh, crescendo-decrescendo systolic murmur loudest at the right upper sternal border (second intercostal space) that radiates to the carotid arteries.

8A 24-year-old female presents to the clinic with dysuria, urinary frequency, and urgency for the past 2 days. She denies fever, chills, flank pain, or vaginal discharge. On examination, there is suprapubic tenderness but no costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness. What is the most appropriate next step in clinical assessment?

A.Perform a urine dipstick test and initiate empiric antibiotic treatment if indicated.

B.Order a urine culture and sensitivity and await results before treating.

C.Obtain a renal ultrasound to rule out anatomical abnormalities.

D.Order a CT abdomen and pelvis to evaluate for pyelonephritis.

Explanation: This patient presents with signs and symptoms of an uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection (cystitis). In an uncomplicated presentation without systemic symptoms (fever, flank pain), a point-of-care urine dipstick is sufficient for assessment, and empiric treatment can be initiated immediately.

9A 34-year-old female at 32 weeks gestation presents with a blood pressure of 144/92 mmHg. A repeat reading 15 minutes later is 146/94 mmHg. Urinalysis reveals 2+ proteinuria. She has no headache, visual disturbances, or right upper quadrant pain. How should the Nurse Practitioner classify this finding?

A.Preeclampsia.

B.Gestational hypertension.

C.Chronic hypertension.

D.Severe preeclampsia.

Explanation: According to Canadian guidelines (SOGC), preeclampsia is defined as gestational hypertension (blood pressure >= 140/90 mmHg arising after 20 weeks gestation) accompanied by new-onset proteinuria (>= 0.3 g/day or >= 2+ on dipstick) or other maternal organ dysfunction.

10A 3-week-old male infant is brought to the clinic by his mother. She reports that the infant has had progressively worsening vomiting after every feed for the past 4 days. The vomiting is described as forceful and non-bilious. On physical examination, the infant appears mildly dehydrated, and a small, firm, mobile mass is palpable in the right upper abdomen. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A.Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

B.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

C.Intussusception.

D.Duodenal atresia.

Explanation: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis typically presents in infants between 2 and 6 weeks of age with projectile, non-bilious vomiting after feeding, signs of dehydration, and an "olive-shaped" mass palpable in the epigastric or right upper quadrant area.

About the CNPLE Exam

The Canadian Nurse Practitioner Licensure Examination (CNPLE) is the national entry-to-practice exam for Nurse Practitioners in Canada, implemented as of 2026. It assesses the integration of essential competencies, knowledge, clinical judgment, and skills required for safe entry-level NP practice across the lifespan and diverse clinical environments.

Questions

180 scored questions

Time Limit

4 hours

Passing Score

Standardized pass mark (Modified Angoff)

Exam Fee

$800 - $1000 CAD (Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) & Meazure Learning)

CNPLE Exam Content Outline

28%

Client Assessment

Health history, physical exam, risk assessment, screening, and diagnostic selection across the lifespan.

18%

Diagnosis

Differential diagnoses, clinical reasoning, and interpreting laboratory, imaging, and diagnostic findings.

22%

Therapeutic Management

Pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, treatment monitoring, and chronic/acute care.

10%

Collaboration, Consultation & Referral

Interprofessional collaboration, consultation, and referral pathways in the Canadian health system.

12%

Professional Role & Leadership

Ethics, law, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and professional accountability.

10%

Health Promotion & Prevention

Immunizations, health screening guidelines, lifestyle counseling, and client education.

How to Pass the CNPLE Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Standardized pass mark (Modified Angoff)
Exam length: 180 questions
Time limit: 4 hours
Exam fee: $800 - $1000 CAD

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CNPLE Study Tips from Top Performers

1Align your study time with the blueprint weights: spend the majority of your prep time on Client Assessment, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Management (which total nearly 70% of the exam).

2Familiarize yourself with Canadian-specific guidelines, such as Hypertension Canada, Diabetes Canada, and the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC).

3Practice clinical scenarios across the entire lifespan, including prenatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric care.

4Understand the difference in lab values and units: Canadian exams use SI units (e.g., mmol/L for glucose and lipids, g/L for hemoglobin).

5Practice timed 4-hour simulations to build the stamina needed for 180+ questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the CNPLE?

The CNPLE is a computer-based examination consisting of 180 to 185 multiple-choice questions administered over a single 4-hour session.

Who administers the CNPLE?

The exam is developed by the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) in partnership with Meazure Learning (formerly Yardstick) and administered via provincial regulatory bodies.

What is the passing score for the CNPLE?

The CNPLE passing standard is determined using the Modified Angoff method. It is a standardized score; a specific percentage score is not publicly disclosed.

What is the fee for the CNPLE?

Exam fees are determined by individual provincial regulatory colleges and generally range from $800 to $1,000 CAD, excluding provincial application processing fees.

How often is the CNPLE offered?

The CNPLE is typically offered during specific exam windows throughout the year. Candidates should register through their provincial nursing college.

100+ Free CNPLE Practice Questions

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