Welcome to nursing in Nova Scotia!

Want to start working right away while you prepare for your registration exam? A conditional licence will allow you to do that once you have applied and met NSCN’s registration and licensure requirements. They are available for LPNs, RNs, and NPs.

This page is for you if you graduated from a practical nursing, diploma, associate degree, baccalaureate, or NP program in or outside Canada and are not licensed anywhere else in Canada.

Already completed your national exam and are licensed elsewhere in Canada?

Before you begin, it’s important to know:

  • All application documents must be in English. Translations must be done by a certified translator. You are responsible for translation costs if required. See more details about this requirement below.
  • Once submitted, your documents belong to NSCN. They will not be shared with another regulatory body without your written permission unless required by law.
  • A current criminal record check(s) may be required before you receive your licence.
  • We are here to help with any questions. Email us at registration@nscn.ca , and we will respond as soon as we can.

Application Process

How to Apply for LPNs and RNs 

1.  After you have submitted your application. 

  1. You will be directed to log into your profile to pay the conditional licence fee.
  2. After you pay the fee, your licence will become active. You can then check the Search for a Nurse tool to find your licensing details.

Your conditional licence is issued in 4-month periods, up to a maximum of 12 months after program completion.

How to Apply for NPs 

  1. Important: You must hold a practising RN licence to apply for a conditional NP licence.
  2. Submit your application in the registration portal.
  3. Request that your school of nursing submit a Confirmation of Program Completion Form(PDF)—including the controlled drugs and substance module. Have your school complete this form and send it to us.
  4. Log into your profile to pay the conditional licence fee.

After all requirements have been met, yourlicence will then become active. You can then check the Search for a Nurse tool to find your licensing details.

The NP conditional licence is issued in 4-month periods, up to a maximum of 12 months after program completion. Or until you fail your first NP exam, whichever comes first.

There are no conditions or restrictions on an NP conditional licence.

Please review the NP Practice Guide for details on starting your NP practice in Nova Scotia.

All application documents must be provided to NSCN in English. 

All translations must be done by a certified translator and all documents, except identification documents, must be mailed to NSCN by the translator. 

All translated documents must include:

  • The translator’s official stamp and/or identification number, address, phone number, and the date of translation.
  • A statement by the translator that it is a true representation of original document(s).
  • The printed name and original signature of the translator. 

NSCN will not accept documents translated by the applicant or anyone related to the applicant. 

If you have any further questions, please email registration@nscn.ca.

Conditional Licensing Q&A

Check out our Conditional Licence Q&A (PDF) for more information on:

  • Conditional licences
  • Conditions for newly licensed nurses
  • Mentorship and transition-to-practice requirements
  • Conditional licensing pending documents

 

Registration requirements and fees may change. All registration and licensing fees are NON-REFUNDABLE as per policy.