College Announces More Physicians Now Eligible for Licensure

American Board-certified physicians are now eligible for Full Licensure in Nova Scotia, without the requirement for Royal College certification. Nova Scotia is the first province to do so.

The College will also accept enrolment in the relevant continuing professional development (CPD) program in the United States in lieu of the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program with the Royal College or the Mainpro+ program with the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

“These are challenging times for Nova Scotians seeking access to care in the face of physician shortages. We are making every effort to open the door wider to welcome physicians seeking licensure who are competent to deliver safe care to Nova Scotians”, said Dr. Gus Grant, CEO & Registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. 

Full Licensure will also be available to international subspecialists without Royal College certification. This is particularly relevant for physicians in the subspecialities of internal medicine, coming from jurisdictions where their post-graduate training was exclusively in the sub-specialty. The details of this approach are found in the College’s new policy Subspecialist Examination Affiliate Program (SEAP) Designates: Requirements for Full Licensure.

All physicians holding a Full licence are expected to practise to the scope of their specialty or subspecialty for which they have the knowledge, skills, training and recent practice experience. It will be incumbent on hospitals and health authorities to ensure physician privileging aligns with training and experience.

The College’s Registration Policy Committee, composed of physicians and public representatives, is committed to exploring all routes to license safe and competent physicians.  The College’s Strategic Plan identifies Access to Care as a top priority.