Residents' Newsletter
April 2008

Requirements for Nova Scotia Licensure

This notice is to clarify the licensing process in Nova Scotia for residents who are completing a training program at Dalhousie University and plan to set up practice in Nova Scotia. If you are considering becoming licensed outside Nova Scotia you should write to the appropriate provincial licensing authority (College of Physicians & Surgeons of the particular province) for information well in advance. If you are not nearing the end of your training program this notice describes the licensing process that may be expected of you when you ultimately finish your training.

If you are NOT at the end of your training program you will need to renew your educational license. Details regarding renewal of your educational license can be found below.

If you are nearing the end of your training program and it is your intention to apply for full registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia upon completion of your residency, the web address for a full license package is http://www.cpsns.ns.ca/Registration/docfullreg.htm.

This web address will link you to the application form, reference forms, etc. Please read documentation lists closely to ensure you are providing all the necessary documents. Since obtaining some of the required documentation can be time consuming, it is recommended that you begin the application process as soon as possible.

Once your application is received and processed, you will be sent an e-mail containing web address and password information to allow you to use our Application Documentation Status website. This site will allow you to track the process of your application and required documents.

Once the documentation and application are complete, approval of a license may be given within days. The Registration Department is unable to guarantee that any applicant will be issued a license by a particular date.

Registration

Family Medicine

To become fully licensed to practice Family Medicine in Nova Scotia you must have passed Parts I and II of the Medical Council of Canada's Qualifying Examination (LMCC) and must have certification with the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

In recent years some postgraduate trainees have not been successful in the certification exam of the College of Family Physicians of Canada on the first attempt. If this happens, a physician may still be eligible for a Defined License to practice medicine. The direct web address for a defined license package is http://www.cpsns.ns.ca/Registration/defined-license-package.htm. This license does not allow a physician to practice independently. The Defined License:

1. must be supported by the sponsorship of a District Health Authority; and
2. is restricted to practicing in a designated practice or community under a mentor; and
3. may be renewed yearly (with the continuing support of a sponsor/mentor) as long as the physician remains so eligible to take certification examinations without the requirement of further training.

Specialist

To become fully licensed to practice a specialty in Nova Scotia you must have passed Parts I and II of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (LMCC) and must possess certification with the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada. A Defined License may be available for physicians who will not be attempting the certification exams until the Fall or who are not successful on their first attempt at the certification exams of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Conditions 1 – 3 above also apply here.

What else is required

There are additional requirements, including an application form, references using our forms (including one from your programme director), a curriculum vitae and fees. Original medical diploma/degree, LMCC registration certificate and Certification certificates must be presented before the license is granted.

In lieu of presenting your original documents this College will accept certified true copies signed by a Notary Public. Please note that documents certified by a commissioner of oaths are not acceptable in this instance. You will be responsible for obtaining the references and providing any other documentation requested by the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Fees

Physicians obtaining a license in Nova Scotia are required to pay appropriate fees prior to the license being granted.

Documentation Fee

Applicants are required to submit a documentation fee with their application. The documentation fee for a full license is currently $155.00 and the documentation fee for a defined license is $305.00. There is no proration of this fee and it is non-refundable if the applicant does not obtain a license. It is a one-time fee as long as the physician is maintaining the license.

Registration Fee

The registration fee for full and defined licenses is $405.00 and is payable at the time the license is granted. There is no proration of this fee and it is a non-refundable fee. This is also a one-time fee as long as the physician is maintaining the license.

Annual License Fee

The annual license fee is also payable at the time the license is being granted. The annual licensing fee for the period July 1 to December 31 is currently $550.00 and is payable at the time the license is granted. There is no proration of this fee and it is a non-refundable fee. This is also a one-time fee as long as the physician is maintaining the license. Please note that the College's year is January 1 to December 31 so no matter what month in the year you obtain a Nova Scotia license, the annual license fee will be due and payable again for January 1 of the following year. The current annual license fee for a full calendar year is $1100.00.

Specialty Registration

Physicians holding certification with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada are required to register their specialty with the College. The fee for specialty registration is $305.00 per specialty and is payable only once. This fee is non-refundable.

Miscellaneous Information

Please note that obtaining a Nova Scotia license does not guarantee a physician a billing number with Medical Services Insurance (MSI). For information on billing numbers physicians should contact MSI (902-468-9700).

Every duly qualified medical practitioner (licensed and working in Nova Scotia) must pay to Doctors Nova Scotia their annual membership dues or an equivalent amount within one (1) month of the time of registration under the Medical Act of Nova Scotia. This is usually due on or before the first of September in each year thereafter. Information on this subject can be obtained directly from Doctors Nova Scotia at (902)468-1866.

Approved Triplicate Prescription Pads are necessary for all physicians wishing to prescribe Narcotics or Controlled Drugs. These pads will only be issued to prescribers who are registered with the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program. There is no charge for the pads. To register please contact the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program, P.O. Box 2200, Halifax, NS B3J 3C6 (Phone: 902-496-7123 or Fax: 902-468-4877).

Membership with the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) is not currently a requirement for licensure in Nova Scotia. However, this does not mean that you are not required to have professional liability coverage.

An applicant must not begin practice until he/she has either received their license in person or been officially notified by the Registration Department that the license has been granted and a license number issued. An email to confirm licensure will be sent to the applicant at this time. A physician who practices medicine in Nova Scotia without a license is committing an offence as per Section 38(2)(b) of the Medical Act.

Physicians wishing to complete the licensing process in person, rather than by mail, will need to make an appointment with the Registration Coordinator. Original documents can be presented at that time.

Renewal of Educational Licenses

Contract: The Postgraduate Medical Education Office at Dalhousie University will be providing the College with copies of your signed contract for the 2008/2009 academic year.

Fees: $75.00 - The fee for an educational license is a non-refundable fee and covers one (1) academic year.

(A) CDHA Payroll:
Trainees who are being paid through the Capital District Health Authority are not required to submit the fee to this office. In an agreement between the College and CDHA, this fee will be collected from the postgraduate trainee via payroll deduction in early June and then paid to the College by CDHA.

Note: If you will be on a “Leave of Absence” during May/June and will not be receiving a paycheque you will be responsible for payment of the $75.00 fee directly to this office. Before returning to your training program you should check with Ann Chipman in the College's Registration Department at 902-421-2213 to ensure that your educational license is renewed.

(B) Non-CDHA Payroll:
Trainees funded by an external sponsoring agency must submit the required $75.00 fee to renew their educational license. Those trainees will receive an invoice from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia under separate cover during the first week of June.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our Registration Department.