Physician Assistant Licence

Physician Assistants (PAs) are regulated in Nova Scotia as of April 1, 2024. All PAs who practice in Nova Scotia must be registered and licensed with the College.

Your application for licensure is reviewed by our Registration Department.

The College is committed to ensuring that only qualified, competent, and ethical PAs are registered and licensed to practice in Nova Scotia.

To be licensed as a PA in Nova Scotia, you must have secured employment through one of Nova Scotia Health’s (NSH’s) physician extender programs. You must also have (or have plans to obtain) certification through the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACC).

You can find out more information about certification or the PA profession in Canada here.

Before you apply

Ensure you meet all qualifications for licensure listed in the credentials checklist.
Obtain a letter of offer from Nova Scotia Health for employment in an approved physician extender program in the province.

Credentials checklist

Recognized degree

Graduate of a:

Canadian physician assistant program accredited by the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC); or
American program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

Physician Assistant Certification

Certification with Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC) or the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

If you have completed your training within the last 5 years but have not yet achieved certification, you will be considered for licensure if you remain eligible to challenge the exams. You will have 2 years to obtain certification following licensure in Nova Scotia.

Currency of Practice

A minimum of 450 hours of physician assistant practice in the 5 years preceding your start date in Nova Scotia.

Application

Complete the application form found here.

Upon submission of the application form, your Registration Agent will set up your application in the system.

Once your application is set up you will receive notification and have access to a list of documents required to complete your application for licensure.

After licensure

NSH has an internal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program for which you will need to remain current. You can read more about the College’s CPD requirements here. You will also need to ensure your certification with PACCC remains up to date. Finally, each year, you will need to renew your license with the College. More information on annual renewal can be found here.