Podiatrist Licence: Requirements and Conditions
Preamble
Amendments to the Medical Practitioner’s Regulations1 have given the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (the College) the authority to regulate podiatrists in Nova Scotia, effective April 1, 2024.
Pursuant to these amendments, a Podiatrist licence will only be registered on the Conditional Register maintained by the College.
Section 39 of the Medical Practitioners Regulations (the Regulations) describes the criteria for registration on the Conditional Register.
Purpose
This policy sets out the minimum requirements to obtain a Podiatrist licence.
Scope
All podiatrists practising in Nova Scotia must hold a Podiatrist licence. Only persons holding a Podiatrist licence may use the designation ‘Podiatrist’, ‘Podiatric Surgeon’, ‘Doctor of Podiatric Medicine’, ‘Pod’ or any derivation or abbreviation of those designations. Additionally, the designation ‘Doctor’ or ‘Dr.’ can only be used with the word ‘podiatry’ or a derivation of the word ‘podiatry’.
All practising podiatrists must practise within the scope of practice outlined in the College policy Podiatrist Licence: Scope of Practice.2
Policy
- Eligibility Criteria for a Podiatrist Licence
Candidates who were in practice and members of the Nova Scotia Podiatry Association as of April 1, 2024, are eligible for a Podiatrist licence, upon completion of a College application.
All other applicants for a Podiatrist licence must have graduated from an acceptable Podiatry Degree program and hold all examinations and/or certification required by the approved education program.
The accepted Podiatry Degree programs are:
| Country | University or Program |
| Canada | – The Michener Institute of Applied Health Sciences, Ontario – Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Quebec |
| USA | – Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, Miami, Florida – California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University, Oakland, CA – Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Des Moines, Iowa – Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Independence, Ohio – Midwestern University Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine, Glendale, AZ – New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY – Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at the Rosalind Franklin – University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois – Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA – Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine, Pomona, CA |
| Australia | – Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland – La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria – University of Newcastle, New South Wales – Charles Sturt University |
| New Zealand | – Auckland University of Technology, Auckland |
| Ireland | – NUI Galway Podiatric Medicine |
| Spain | – University of Valencia Podiatric Medicine |
| South Africa | – The University of Johannesburg |
| United Kingdom | – AECC University College, MSc only – Cardiff Metropolitan University – Glasgow Caledonian University – New College Durham – Queen Margaret University – The SMAE Institute (from 2020) – The University of Northampton – University of East London – University of Huddersfield – University of Plymouth – University of Salford – University of Wolverhampton – University of Ulster – University of Southampton |
- Requirements for a Podiatrist Licence outlined in the Regulations
- Demonstrate English language proficiency3
- Canadian citizenship or legally entitled to live and work in Canada
- Provide a criminal record screening report4
- Participate satisfactorily in a continuing professional development program5
- Demonstrate currency of practice6
- Demonstrate capacity, competence and character7
- Must have professional liability insurance.
- Additional Conditions and Requirements
The Registrar, Registration Committee or Registration Appeal Committee shall impose such other conditions, restrictions or requirements as they determine necessary to support safe, competent, and effective practice. Any such conditions, restrictions or requirements will be set out in the Licensing Agreement
Resources
- Medical Practitioners Regulations (amended link pending)
- Podiatrist Licence: Scope of Practice
- English Language Proficiency
- Criminal Record Screening
- Continuing Professional Development: Requirements
- Currency of Practice Experience
- Capacity, Competence and Character for Safe and Ethical Practice
| Applicable Legislation: | Section 39, 63(f-j) of the Medical Practitioners Regulations |
| Approved by: | Council |
| Approval Date(s): | March 22, 2024 |
| Review Date: | March 2027 |