Are you a licensed physician looking to move to Nova Scotia? Here’s what you need to know to get started.
Licensing Process
In Nova Scotia, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS) is the regulatory body responsible for assessing your eligibility and issuing you license to practice medicine in the province.
- Family Physicians/General Practitioners: the College of Physicians and Surgeons Nova Scotia will start your licensing process.
- Specialists: You can register with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Canada. After you have successfully registered, you will then need to secure a Nova Scotian license, which you do through the College of Physicians and Surgeons Nova Scotia.
Internationally Trained Physicians
If you trained outside of Canada, you may still be eligible for licensure in Nova Scotia through one of several pathways.
United States-trained physicians who have completed their American board exams are now eligible for full licensure in Nova Scotia. There is no longer a requirement for Royal College Certification. Instead of enrolling in the Royal College’s MOC program or the College of Family Physicians’ Mainpro+ program, physicians can now enroll in a relevant Continuing Professional Development program in the US.
Physicians holding the appropriate licensure and registration* in the UK, Australia and New Zealand may be eligible for licensure in Nova Scotia without the need for Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada exam eligibility.
* To be eligible without Royal College exam eligibility, applicants must be registered and currently licensed with one of the following medical regulators without restrictions or conditions:
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency – Specialist Register
- General Medical Council – General Practitioner or Specialist Register
- Medical Council of New Zealand – Vocational Scope Register
Physician Assessment Centre of Excellence Program (PACE)
PACE is a unique, Nova Scotia-based program for Family Medicine only. PACE offers workplace-based assessments in real-time primary care settings, designed to evaluate the readiness of internationally trained family physicians to practice in Nova Scotia.
PACE serves as a pathway to independent licensure in Nova Scotia by ensuring Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and judgment required to practice safely and ethically in Nova Scotia. It is the new, forward-looking alternative providing a rigorous, supportive, and centralized way for family physicians trained outside Canada to become licensed and serve communities across Nova Scotia.
Key Features of PACE
- Centralized assessment with a dedicated clinic
- Trained Assessors working collaboratively
- Candidates provide direct patient care while being assessed
- Use of audiovisual equipment for assessment of ITPs
- A community of practice for both Candidates and Assessors
- Immediate impact on patient care by serving new patients
Learn more about PACE - nspace.ca/physicians/
If you already have status in Canada, then you should connect with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) to ask about physician bridging programs.