Continuing competence is the ongoing development of knowledge, skills, and judgment needed to practise safely and ethically throughout your career.

The Continuing Competence Program (CCP) is a regulatory program designed to ensure quality and accountability. 

Self-assessment helps you identify strengths and learning needs. The healthcare system is always changing. Nurses must continually expand their knowledge and skills to maintain competence in their roles.

Important: Every nurse in Nova Scotia must successfully complete CCP requirements each year—regardless of employment status.

Getting Started

All nurses must complete the following:

  • Self-assess your competence to identify areas for growth
  • Develop a professional growth plan to achieve learning goals for the year
  • Reflect and evaluate how your growth plan has impacted your practice
  • Participate in the verification of compliance process, if selected, to confirm your compliance with the program

CCP Program Support Tools

We are here to support you. These tools are designed to help you successfully complete CCP. Meeting program requirements may be challenging without reviewing and using all the tools provided.

CCP Module in NSCN Registrant Portal

The CCP module in the NSCN registrant portal allows you to develop your professional growth plan directly in the portal so you can save it and update it throughout the year. Professional Growth Plan forms will open each year on November 1st.

CCP Audit

NSCN randomly selects nurses each year to complete the Continuing Competence Program (CCP) verification of compliance process. The verification of compliance serves 2 purposes:

  1. Verify that you have met CCP requirements
  2. Assure the public that nurses are committed to continuous learning and professional growth in an evolving health system
Please note: for 2026, NSCN has decided to forgo this year's audit to prepare a modernized approach to CCP under the new Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). The audit will return in 2027. 

Although there will not be an audit in 2026, all nurses are still accountable to participate in the current CCP. This includes:

  • A self-assessment of your competence to identify areas of growth.
  • Development of a professional growth plan to achieve learning goals for the year. The CCP module in the NSCN registrant portal allows you to develop your professional growth plan directly in the portal so you can save it and update it throughout the year.
  • A reflective evaluation of the impact of the growth plan on your practice.

Professional Growth Plan Questions and Answers

No.

A professional growth plan helps you reflect on your practice and assess your knowledge needs. It supports continuous learning. And helps you develop meaningful strategies to enhance your knowledge and skills.

Professional Growth Plans have been a requirement in CCP programs since 2002 for RNs/NPs and 2010 for LPNs.

You can develop your Professional Growth Plan (PGP) in the registrant portal.

  1. Log in to the registrant portal using your usual username and password.
  2. Select ‘My Learning’ in the left-hand menu.
  3. Follow the step-by-step instructions in the CCP Guide for Nurses.

No. You only need 1 professional growth plan, even if you hold 2 licences. You can choose different learning goals from each designation (e.g., LPN for Goal 1 and RN for Goal 2).

We will review your PGP using a scoring rubric to verify compliance with CCP requirements. 

You will be notified of the outcome and whether you:

  • Meet the verification criteria
  • Need to provide additional information
  • Need to resubmit your professional growth plan

Yes. Completing an approved BScN or MN program can be used to fulfill your PGP requirements. 

Other nursing-specific education can also be included in your learning activities—if it relates to your standards of practice.

No. Do not send certificates unless requested. Keep them in your personal files for your records.

Have questions or need more information? Email us at ccp@nscn.ca.