University or school approved by Council

Approved

October 17, 2025

Preamble

In accordance with the Medical Act Regulations1, all applicants for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (the College) are required to be a graduate from a university or school that meets the criteria approved by Council.

Purpose

This policy describes the universities, schools, and programs accepted for all licence types.

Scope

This policy applies to all applicants for registration in Nova Scotia.

Policy

  1. Physicians applying for registration with the College must be a graduate from a medical university or school that:
    1. was listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDMS)2 at the time the applicant completed the program and the medical school listing must include Sponsor Notes for Canada (certain medical schools might be acceptable to Canada within a defined time period); OR
    2. a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from a school in the United States of America accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation3.
  2. Physician assistants applying for registration with the College must be a graduate of a program:
    1. recognized by the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada, (PACCC);4 OR
    2. accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA),5 OR
    3. accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC).6
  3. Podiatrists applying for registration with the College must be a graduate from an approved Podiatry program as outlined in Appendix A.

Resources

  1. Medical Act Regulations
  2. World Directory of Medical Schools
  3. Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation: Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
  4. Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada
  5. Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant
  6. General Medical Council
  7. Appendix A – List of Approved Podiatry Programs
Applicable legislation:Section 19(3), 25(1), 39(1), 63A(2), and 63F(2) of the Medical Act Regulations
Approved by:Registration Policy Committee & Council
Approval date(s):September 18, 2025 & October 17, 2025
Reviewed for accuracy:Annually
Unless otherwise noted, this material is © College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. This material may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes, in whole or in part, provided that credit is given to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia or other original source identified in this document. Any other use requires permission from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.

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.