Closing your practice

If you are retiring, closing your practice, or choosing to discontinue your medical licence, all the information you need is on this page

Closing your medical practice

Physicians in Nova Scotia may choose to close their practice because they are retiring or moving away. 

If you have chosen to close your medical practice, there are some important steps you need to take.

Your responsibilities to patients

  • You need to make a plan for the transfer of patient care.
  • You need to decide where your medical records will be stored.
  • You need to tell your patients and staff that you plan to close your practice.

Your responsibility to the College

Note: The College’s Health and Practice Advisor will be in touch, providing you with all the information you need related to the closure of your practice.

Standards and guidelines for practice closure

Many organizations, including ours, have standards and guidelines you must follow when you decide to close your practice.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia

Doctors Nova Scotia

Canadian Medical Protective Association

Discontinuing your medical licence

Your licence may only be surrendered after you complete and return the form and receive consent from the Registrar.

Note: Should someone file a complaint about you after you have discontinued your licence, you will still be subject to the College’s complaints procedure.

Keeping your medical licence

If you wish to close your practice but maintain your Nova Scotia Medical Licence, you must let the College know.

Please contact the registration department at registration@cpsns.ns.ca and your information will be passed to our Health and Practice Advisor who will reach out regarding the appropriate steps required.

When you retire, fees to maintain your licence remain the same. There are no discounted fees for retired physicians.

Retirement fund initiative

Please contact your Doctors Nova Scotia physician advisor for information regarding retirement fund initiatives and pension plans.

Help with logistics

If you need assistance with the logistics of practice closures or retirement (e.g., disposal of office materials, notifying relevant partners, etc.), please contact your physician advisor at Doctors Nova Scotia.

Help with medical records

If you have specific questions regarding the College requirements for medical records, please contact our dedicated Health and Practice Advisor at healthandpractice@cpsns.ns.ca.

Need more information?

Have questions about closing your practice, retiring, or discontinuing your medical licence? Let us know how we can assist you.

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.