Academic licence

About

An Academic licence is a conditional form of licensure which may be issued to physicians who have been offered an academic appointment through Dalhousie University.

As part of the requirements for holding this licence, physicians must have 20% or more protected time for academic duties. They must also have sponsorship from the Dean of Medicine at Dalhousie, and be a member of an academic department.

Before you apply

  1. Ensure you meet all licensing requirements listed in the credentials section below.

  2. Verify your medical degree, postgraduate training, and specialty certificates using one of the following:

Credentials

Recognized medical degree

Letter of offer

A letter of offer for an academic appointment at Dalhousie University.

Currency of practice

Complete at least 450 hours of clinical practice in the scope of practice you intend to practice in Nova Scotia within the three years preceding your start date in Nova Scotia.

English language proficiency

You will be exempt from language testing if you have one of the following:

  • you successfully completed one of the following technical examinations in English:
    • Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I
    • College of Family Physicians of Canada certification examinations (written and oral)
    • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada certification examinations (written and oral)
  • a letter from your postgraduate training program confirming that your training was conducted in English and that the primary language for patient care was also in English
    • please note this only applies if you completed your postgraduate training within the last 5 years

Otherwise, the College will require one of the following:

  • IELTS* – Academic taken within the 24 months prior to applying, with a minimum score of 7 on each component
  • OET – Medicine taken within the 24 months prior to applying, with a minimum score of B on each component
  • CELPIP* – General taken within the 24 months prior to applying, with a minimum score of 9 on each component

* The College will only accept the IELTS-Academic and CELPIP-General until January 1, 2027. Any test results dated before January 1, 2027, will be considered when determining an applicant’s ELP.

Review of qualifications

The licensure application is comprised of a two-part process: a Review of Qualifications and the balance of the application.

The purpose of a Review of Qualifications is to review and verify your credentials to confirm your eligibility for licensure.

You start this review by submitting an ‘application for medical registration’ through physiciansapply.ca. This is separate from verifying your documents through the same portal.

Before initiating a Review of Qualifications, please ensure you have completed the following:

  • A review of the credentials checklist to ensure you meet all qualifications.
  • When applicable, have your English language test reports ready for submission.

What to expect after submitting the Review of Qualifications:

  • A Registration Agent will be assigned to your file and will be in touch to provide a list of documents to complete your review.
  • Upon receipt of all required documents and confirmation of requirements for licensure eligibility, you will receive a letter confirming your eligibility for licensure. This can be presented when securing a letter of offer.

Completing your application

Your eligibility letter includes instructions on how to start your application on physiciansapply.ca. At this stage, you will need to provide documents to show your character, competence, and ability to practise medicine in Nova Scotia.

Follow these steps to complete your application:

  1. complete your application on physiciansapply.ca.
  2. a Registration Agent will be assigned to your file and will send you a list of required documents.
  3. submit your documents in this order:*
    1. credentials-based documents, College consent and declaration forms, and identity support documents can be submitted at any time
    2. no earlier than 12 months before your start date:
      1. references
      2. criminal record checks through CSI screening
    3. after you receive your letter of offer:
      1. letter of intent
    4. no earlier than three months before your start date:
      1. certificates of professional conduct
    5. after you get approval for your work permit (if needed):
      1. a virtual interview will be scheduled to review your licensing undertaking
      2. licensure and supervision fees will be invoiced
    6. after you arrive in Canada (if needed):
      1. work permit
  4. once all required documents are received, your file can be approved and your licence issued within 1–3 business days. Plan to get your licence at least two weeks before your first shift to allow time for credentialing/privileging, obtaining a billing number, and IT setup.

* Submitting documents in this order helps avoid duplication due to missing or expired information. However, outside factors may affect the time needed to complete your application. If you have questions about when to submit documents, contact your Registration Agent for help.

After licensure

Here are some resources to help you settle into your new life and your new practice in our province:

The College acknowledges that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship. We also acknowledge that people of African descent have been in Nova Scotia for over 400 years, and we honour and offer gratitude to those ancestors.