Welcome back to the nursing profession in Nova Scotia. This section of the website is for you if you are returning from a leave of absence, are not currently licensed with us and have not been licensed anywhere else since last being licensed with us.
If you have held a licence somewhere else since you were last licensed with us, please click here.
Provincial and federal legislation may have changed since you were last licensed with us. We recommend that you review the jurisprudence exam preparation material for any legislative changes. For RNs and NPs renewing their licence, click here to access this information. For LPNs, click here. You are not required to take the jurisprudence exam.
Even if you only work a few days or weeks into the licensure year, you are still required to pay the full licensure fee.
Application Process
If you wish to apply for a 2022/2023 licence (effective November 1, 2022) please contact Registration@nscn.ca.
If you held a LPN practising licence in the past, please contact us at registration@nscn.ca to determine your eligibility to apply for a licence and next steps. If you are eligible, it may take us up to five business days to process your licence.
Licensure Fee
If you are returning from a leave of absence between November 1 and April 30, you are required to pay the full fee for the licensure year. Click here for more details on fees.
If you are returning from a leave of absence between May 1 and October 31, you are required to pay a pro-rated fee for the remainder of the licensure year. Click here for more details on fees.
Follow the below process:
- Complete the Application for a Licence and submit it to registration@nscn.ca for review and approval. You will be prompted to pay through the online portal once this has been approved.
- If you are reactivating your licence following a two-year break in licensure, submit a Criminal Record Check.
Licensure Fee
If you are returning from a leave of absence between November 1 and June 30, you are required to pay the full fee for the licensure year. Click here for more details on fees.
If you are returning from a leave of absence between July 1 and October 31, you are required to pay a pro-rated fee for the remainder of the licensure year. Click here for more details on fees.
What happens once I have submitted my documents?
It will take up to five business days to review your application. We will notify you by email when your application has been reviewed.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at registration@nscn.ca. We strive to respond to you as soon as possible. However, due to the high volumes of emails and complexity of inquiries, our response time may vary.
Please be advised that registration requirements and fees are subject to change. All registration and licensure fees are non-refundable. Click here to learn more about fees and payment options.