Supervision

Supervision ensures access to high-quality patient care for Nova Scotians

About

The Medical Act requires physicians trained outside Canada to practise under a Defined licence and undergo supervision. 

Physicians must meet the requirements and conditions necessary to obtain a Defined licence. 

Supervisors monitor, assess, and support the supervised physician as they work toward long-term licensure. Supervisors ensure access to high-quality patient care for Nova Scotians.

Minimum supervision period

The pathway to long-term licensure reduces the required time physicians on a Defined licence must practise under supervision by 60%.

Physicians issued a Defined licence will have a minimum of six months of supervision and a maximum of 24 months.

Based on our data, we anticipate that 80% of physicians on the pathway will be issued a Restricted licence after six months. A smaller cohort may require up to 24 months of supervision.

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.