September 10, 2021
Throughout Nova Scotia, many organizations are requiring that all staff and visitors be vaccinated against COVID-19. It is not unreasonable to expect that, in response, physicians will be asked to provide medical notes for patients who have chosen not to be vaccinated.
As physicians continue to work to mitigate any further spread of COVID-19, the College aims to support their leadership with clear guidance on their responsibilities in this circumstance. Physicians must only support requests for a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination for patients with a legitimate medical condition that would warrant an exemption.
The office of the Chief Medical Officer advises the following are valid medical contraindications to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine… Read more.
July 22, 2021
The College’s Executive Committee has passed a motion to eliminate the fee associated with the issuance of a Certificate of Professional Conduct. The aim is to promote physician mobility and to reduce administrative burden and costs for physicians. Effective immediately physicians will no longer be charged for a CPC.
June 28, 2021
On June 10, 2021, the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) announced it will cease to deliver the MCC Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part II. The MCC stated that successful completion of the MCCQE Part II is no longer required to become a licentiate of the MCC (LMCC).
The MCC announcement directly affects the licensure of many provisionally licensed physicians and those physicians seeking initial licensure in Canada. The Canadian Standard is the set of academic qualifications that makes a physician eligible for full licensure in every Canadian province and territory. The LMCC is a required qualification for full licensure in the Model Standards for Medical Registration in Canada developed by the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada.
As a result of the MCC announcement, the College convened emergency meetings of its Registration Policy Committee and Executive Committee to consider the licensing implications. As a result, the College has amended its policy on Acceptable Alternatives to the LMCC, effective immediately. The amended policy reflects MCC’s cessation of the MCCQE Part II exam and is available here.
All physicians with the requisite qualifications for a Full licence except for the LMCC, are having their licensure reviewed pursuant to the revised policy.
The College aims to complete this licensing review and directly contact all physicians whose licence type may be affected by July 15, 2021. We acknowledge the uncertainty resulting from the MCC announcement and wish to thank all impacted physicians for their patience as we expedite our response.
June 11, 2021
The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) made an announcement on June 10, 2021, further to the cancellation of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part II and to the granting of licentiate status. Read the announcement on the MCC website. The regulatory authorities across Canada are meeting today in hopes of achieving a consensus response. We will provide updates as matters develop.
June 3, 2021
The Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FMRAC) met today to discuss the ramifications of the suspension of the MCCQE Part II.
The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) announced on May 31, 2021, the suspension of the MCCQE Part II due to significant issues with the virtual examination.
The President of FMRAC will be meeting with the MCC in the next few days to determine steps forward. The College will be providing further updates following this meeting.
June 1, 2021
The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) announced on May 31, 2021 the suspension of the MCCQE Part II due to significant issues with the virtual examination.
MCC apologized for the anxiety this has caused candidates amidst the pandemic. The MCC confirmed a full refund for those registered for the current session, those who were transferred to the fall 2021 session, and those who challenged the exam in the past weeks. The full MCC statement can be found here.
Our College is immediately examining the implications of this announcement on all affected physicians, whether on the educational register, the provisional register, or seeking initial licensure.
The College’s Pandemic-Related Exceptions to the Requirement for the MCCQE Part II Policy, which sets out our licensure approach for those who affected by the postponements MCCQE Part II, remains in place.
The College would like to acknowledge the challenges faced by those who recently participated in the MCC examination process and for those who had planned to do so. We thank all physicians affected for their patience and commitment to the profession.
The MCC news is fresh and our response has not yet crystallized. We will be updating all those affected as soon as more information becomes available.
May 28, 2021
The College is pleased to announce Dr. Robert Oliver as the recipient of its 2020 Gold-Headed Cane Award.
The annual award recognizes an outstanding community-based physician who exemplifies professionalism in service to their patients, the profession, and the community.
Read Dr. Oliver’s full profile in our 2020 Annual Report.
May 25, 2021
We wish to express our appreciation to all physicians who have been deployed by Nova Scotia Health or IWK to contribute to the pandemic response in ways outside their normal scope of practice. As the province moves through the third wave of the pandemic, physicians have continued to demonstrate leadership in their commitment to providing care.
These continue to be stressful times, with physicians raising their hands to help wherever needed. We wish to reassure physicians the College will not hold deployed physicians to practice within a scope strictly consistent with recent training and experience.
This approach applies to physicians privileged and working under the direction of Nova Scotia Health, the IWK (inpatient or outpatient settings), and/or the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s office. This may include, but is not limited to, work within COVID-19 primary assessment centres, case tracing and monitoring, provision of vaccinations, and COVID-19 testing as deployed by the health authorities.
Rest assured, if you are deployed by your Health Authority to work outside your normal scope of practice, be advised you will not face disciplinary measures from the College for practising outside your scope of practice.
We thank you for your service.
May 25, 2021
The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Nova Scotia hereby gives notice that the Hearing Committee has issued its decision regarding the sanction and costs arising from its findings of professional misconduct against Dr. Manivasan Moodley. The findings of professional misconduct are set out in the Hearing Committee’s decision dated November 23, 2020.
Read the decision finding professional misconduct.
The decision on sanction orders a reprimand, a suspension of Dr. Moodley’s licence to practise medicine for a five month period commencing at a time to be agreed with the College, the continuation of the current requirements for a practice monitor and sign, and a requirement to take ethics training. In addition, the Hearing Committee ordered that Dr. Moodley pay a $325,000 contribution toward the costs of the investigation and hearing, payable in monthly instalments of $5,000.
Read the decision on sanction and costs.
May 3, 2021
Postgraduate training licence renewal is now open. You must renew your licence to continue your training for the upcoming academic year. Renew by May 23, 2021, to avoid a late fee.
If you plan to discontinue your Postgraduate Training Licence you must notify the College in writing or by email to registration@cpsns.ns.ca before June 30, 2021.
How to Renew:
- Visit Member Services.
- Log in with your email address and password.
- Click on Renew Your Postgraduate Training Licence and follow the instructions.
Fees & Payment:
- The renewal fee for the 2021-2022 academic year is $200.
- Fees are paid online by: VISA, MasterCard, VISA Debit or debit card (Scotiabank, RBC, TD and BMO only).
- A late fee of $50.00 is charged after May 23
When the College has processed your renewal, you will receive an email confirmation and a receipt for payment.
If you encounter problems or technical issues related to online renewal:
