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Restoration or Reactivation of Licensure

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PREAMBLE

All physicians must hold a medical licence to engage in the practice of medicine in Nova Scotia.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (the College) recognizes there are varying circumstances that may cause a physician’s licence to become inactive such as voluntary relinquishment or revocation.

PURPOSE

This policy describes the various circumstances and due processes in which the College will consider an application for restoration or reactivation of a medical licence in Nova Scotia.

SCOPE

This policy applies to all physicians who wish to restore or reactivate their medical licence in Nova Scotia within 12 months of the expiration of the licence.

POLICY

  1. Physican Requirements

a) Applying to Restore or Reactivate a Licence:

Pursuant to this policy, a physician seeking to restore or reactivate their licence within 12 months of the expiration of the licence is not required to complete a new application for licensure.

The physician must complete the renewal questionnaire and provide any additional relevant documentation required at the discretion of the Registrar.

In addition to completing the renewal questionnaire, the College requires the following:

  1. Physicians who have Voluntarily Relinquished their Licence in Nova Scotia
    For physicians who have voluntarily relinquished their licence, the licence may be restored upon payment of the current annual renewal fee1, reactivation fee1 and any other requirements at the discretion of the Registrar.
  2. Physicians who have Allowed their Nova Scotia Licence to Expire
    For physicians who have allowed their licence to expire without notifying the College in writing, the licence may be restored upon payment of the current annual renewal fee1, the late fee1, the restoration fee1 and any other requirements at the discretion of the Registrar.
  3. Physicians Applying for a Temporary (Locum) Licence in Nova Scotia
    For a physician who has completed a Temporary (Locum) Licence application with the College within the previous 12 months and wishes to provide additional temporary services in Nova Scotia, they may be eligible to reactivate their Temporary (Locum) Licence by paying the monthly licence fee1 and any other requirements at the discretion of the Registrar.

    If 12 months or more have passed since the physician last completed an application form, they will need to reapply for licensure.

b) Currency of Practice Experience:

It is every physician’s professional responsibility to practise only within a scope for which they are appropriately trained, competent and current. The College policy for Currency of Practice Experience2 describes the requirements for currency.

All physicians must contact the College prior to making any changes to their scope of practice. Please refer to the College guidelines for Guidance to Physicians Contemplating a Change in Clinical Scope of Practice3 for more information about changing scope of practice.

  1. Exceptions

Pursuant to this policy, the following exceptions apply to applications for restoration or reactivation of licensure:

  1. Applications Greater than 12 months from Expiration of Licensure
    If a physician wishes to restore or reactivate their licence after 12 months have passed since the licence was last active, the physician must complete the application process for a new licence. In this case, the physician will be held to the licensing requirements at the time of the new application.

    The physician will be required to complete a new application form, pay the applicable fees1 and any other requirements at the discretion of the Registrar. Consideration will be given for original or source-verified documents previously provided to the College, such as the applicant’s medical degree and specialty certificates.
  2. Licence Removed by a Committee of the College
    For physicians who were removed from the Medical Register by a Committee of the College, the physician must obtain approval from that Committee to have their licence reinstated.
  3. Licence Removed by a Hearing Committee
    For physicians who were removed from the Medical Register because their licence or registration was revoked by a Hearing Committee, the physician must comply with the process for reinstatement in accordance with Sections 122 to 128 of the Medical Practitioners Regulations4.

RESOURCES

  1. College Fee Schedule
  2. Currency of Practice Experience
  3. Guidance to Physicians Contemplating a Change in Clinical Scope of Practice
  4. Medical Practitioners Regulations

Applicable Legislation: Section 8 of the Medical Practitioners Regulations

Approved by: Deputy Registrar

Approval Date: January 20, 2022

Review Date: January 2025