Atlantic Registry

The Atlantic Registry allows for greater mobility of fully licensed physicians in Atlantic Canada.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to opt in to the Atlantic Registry physicians must have their primary practice in an Atlantic province and hold a Full license issued by one of the four Atlantic Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons.

Physicians must have a Full licence without:

• conditions;
• restrictions;
• undertakings; or
• supervision requirements.  

Physicians must not:

• have their licence revoked or suspended;
• have restrictions or conditions imposed on their licence, including those conditions or restrictions agreed to by a physician in an agreement or undertaking;
• be the subject of an open complaint which has been referred to a disciplinary panel or tribunal and a decision is pending; and
• be undergoing monitoring or a quality assurance or fitness to practice review as a result of a concern raised regarding the physician’s health or competency to practice medicine.

Physicians are eligible when they meet all eligibility requirements and there are no other serious issues relating to their file identified by the Registrar.

Once licensed in each province by way of the Atlantic Registry, physicians can practise throughout the Atlantic region as of right.

Physicians who wish to opt in to the Atlantic Registry advise their home College and provide their consent. A physician’s home College is where they hold a Full licence and in the province where they practice the majority of the time.

The annual fee for the Registry is $500.00 and replaces all fees associated with temporary or locum licences for each of the Atlantic provinces.

The creation of the Atlantic Registry is the result of a collaboration over several months between all four Atlantic provinces. It is built upon substantial agreement by all Colleges on the criteria for licensure and advances the spirit and intent of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.

Opting in to the Atlantic Registry must be done through the College from which you hold your Full licence and in the province where you practice the majority of the time.

• Download the consent form
• Send your signed and dated consent form by:
  • Mail: 400 – 175 Western Parkway, Bedford, Nova Scotia, B4B 0V1
  • Email: registration@cpsns.ns.ca
  • Fax: 902-422-5035
• Once we receive your completed consent form we will email an invoice. Upon receipt of an invoice you can pay online through your Member Services portal.

Approval for Registration on the Atlantic Registry

Once the College receives your completed consent form and fee payment, there will be an internal review of your file. If approved for the Atlantic Registry, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia will recommend Full licensure to each of the other Atlantic Colleges. 

When you have successfully opted on to the Atlantic Registry and once an Atlantic province has issued a Full licence you may practise in that province.

Remaining on the Registry

Withdrawal/Opting out of the Atlantic Registry

You will remain licensed with all Atlantic Colleges through renewal with your home College, which is where you hold a Full licence and in the province where you practise the majority of the time, unless:

• you opt out;
• your usual place of practice is no longer within an Atlantic province;
• you fail to meet the requirements for licensure or renewal of licensure in your home College;
• you fail to continue to meet the eligibility requirements of the Atlantic Registry; or
• an Atlantic College identifies an issue with your conduct, capacity, or competence that no longer qualifies you for participation in the Atlantic Registry.