Like the rest of Canada, Nova Scotia relies on internationally trained physicians (ITPs) to help address physician shortages. In the last few years, the College’s evolving licensing pathways have led to a significant increase in the number of ITPs recruited to the province.
Historically, ITPs were assessed for licensure based on the country or jurisdiction where they completed their training, using lists maintained by national certifying bodies. This strict approach is being re-examined, with a focus placed on competence rather than credentials.
While this national work on the expansion of jurisdictional recognition is ongoing, the College has continued reviewing high performing medical schools and postgraduate training programs in jurisdictions that are not yet recognized. Nova Scotia is currently the only medical regulatory college in Canada undertaking these types of faculty specific reviews.
This approach has expanded our eligibility criteria for ITPs. From 2022 to 2025 there were 202 physicians issued a Defined licence — an 80% increase in physicians compared with 2016 to 2022, when 112 Defined licences were issued.
Recruitment gains were broad-based, with 66 licences issued in family medicine and 136 issued across other specialties.
Number of internationally trained physicians issued a Defined licence
January 1, 2016 to August 31, 2022 (6.5 years) versus September 1, 2022 to December 31, 2025 (3.5 years)
These licensing pathways help physicians enter practice sooner but depend on physician supervisors, to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude. Supervisors take on this role to protect standards of care and to help physicians practise to the full scope of their competence.
The public relies on the College to license only safe, competent physicians. Over the past three and a half years, nine of the 202 provisionally licensed physicians (4.5%) have been removed from licensure. These are difficult but necessary decisions to make on behalf of public safety.
Over the past three years, dozens of supervisors have supported ITPs as they moved into independent practice.