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Podiatrist Licence: Requirements and Conditions

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Preamble

Amendments to the Medical Act’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 Act 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

  1. 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 listed in the College policy for University or School Approved by Council.3

  1. Requirements for a Podiatrist Licence outlined in the Regulations
  • Demonstrate English language proficiency4
  • Canadian citizenship or legally entitled to live and work in Canada
  • Provide a criminal record screening report5
  • Participate satisfactorily in a continuing professional development program6
  • Demonstrate currency of practice7
  • Demonstrate capacity, competence and character8
  • Must have professional liability insurance
  1. 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

  1. Medical Act Regulations
  2. Podiatrist Licence: Scope of Practice
  3. University or School Approved by Council
  4. English Language Proficiency
  5. Criminal Record Screening
  6. Continuing Professional Development: Requirements
  7. Currency of Practice Experience
  8. Capacity, Competence and Character for Safe and Ethical Practice
Applicable Legislation: Section 39, 63(f-j) of the Medical Act Regulations
Approved by: Registration Policy Committee & Executive Committee
Approval Date(s):June 20, 2024 & July 22, 2024
Review Date:June 2027

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