Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec

The Ordre des infirmièreset infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ) is the professional regulatory body responsible for overseeing the nursing profession in the province of Quebec. It establishes the standards of practice, issues licences to qualified nurses, and monitors compliance with those standards through a continuing competence program. The organization also handles complaints from the public and disciplinarily addresses members who fail to meet professional expectations. Its mandate is to protect the public by ensuring that nursing care is delivered safely, ethically, and competently.

Headquartered in Canada, the OIIQ serves as the sole authority for nursing regulation in Quebec and represents approximately 80,000 registered nurses and nurse practitioners. The organization’s membership reflects the breadth of the nursing workforce across hospitals, clinics, long‑term care facilities, and community settings. Its administrative offices coordinate licensing examinations, registration renewals, and the maintenance of a public register of authorized practitioners. In April 2024, the OIIQ disclosed a cybersecurity incident in which unauthorized third‑party access resulted in the theft of personal data belonging to its members.

As a self‑governing order constituted under the Quebec Professional Code, the OIIQ operates independently while being accountable to the provincial government for the fulfillment of its public‑protection mandate. It develops and enforces a code of ethics that guides professional conduct and provides resources for ongoing education and professional development. The organization also collaborates with health‑care institutions and other regulatory bodies to promote quality and safety in patient care. These functions position the OIIQ as a key institution in Quebec’s health‑care system, distinct from advocacy groups or unions because its primary duty is regulatory rather than representational.