Restricted Licence – Emergency

Preamble

A Restricted licence falls under the Conditional Register and is defined in the Medical Practitioners Regulations under Section 59. The physician may fulfill most of the criteria of a Full licence and may have restrictions or conditions imposed on their licence.

Purpose

This policy describes the criteria to obtain a ‘Restricted licence – Emergency’.

Scope

This policy applies to candidates applying for licensure in Nova Scotia who hold an independent licence in another Canadian jurisdiction and for whom there is an identified urgent need for their services in Nova Scotia. Eligibility for this licence type will be granted at the discretion of the Registrar.

Policy

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (the College) may act upon this policy allowing Restricted licensure in the following emergent circumstances:

• When there is a declared state of emergency (e.g. pandemic, natural disaster or act of terrorism) and there is a need identified that cannot be met by a physician or physicians currently licensed in Nova Scotia OR
• When there is an urgent or emergent need identified in the province that can best be met by licensing a physician from out of province.

Requirements

The Registrar will review applications for a Restricted licence – Emergency on a case-by-case basis when there is a demonstrated urgent or emergent need for medical services.

The physician must:

• Hold a licence for independent medical practice elsewhere in Canada; and
• Complete the application as prescribed by the Registrar.

Duration

The duration of licensure will be determined by the Registrar and will not extend beyond December 31st of the year of application. A request for re-application must be completed each year.

Restriction on Licensure

The physician will be restricted to the need(s) identified in the province for which they will be providing services.  If the physician wishes to practise outside of the urgent or emergent need(s) identified, they must apply for the appropriate licence type (ex. Full or Temporary licence).