Respiratory Therapy Regulations
made under Sections 4, 13 and 14 of the
Regulated Health Professions Act
S.N.S. 2023, c. 15
O.I.C. 2025-229 (effective November 1, 2025), N.S. Reg. 152/2025
Table of Contents
Please note: this table of contents is provided for convenience of reference and does not form part of the regulations.
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Interpretation
Citation
Definitions
Regulator
Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists continued
Bylaw authorization
Public representatives on Board
Scope of Practice
Scope of practice of respiratory therapy
Scope of practice of designations and licensing categories
Registration and Licensing
Practising licence categories
Conditional licence categories
Application and criteria for registration in practising register
Criteria for practising licence
Criteria for registration in conditional register
Criteria for conditional licence
Practice and Title Use Restrictions, Services Not Prohibited and Publication Restrictions
Restriction on practice of respiratory therapy
Restriction on use of “respiratory therapist” title, description or designation
Restriction on practice of anaesthesia assistance and use of “anaesthesia assistant” title,
description or designation
Restriction on use of bylaw licensing category title, description or designation
Services not prohibited by Act, regulations or bylaws
Restriction on use of title or designation in advertisement or publication
Fines
Professional conduct fine maximum
Criminal Offences and Withdrawal or Suspension of Privileges
Criminal offence or suspension or withdrawal of privilege of applicant or registrant
Interpretation
Citation
1 These regulations may be cited as the Respiratory Therapy Regulations.
Definitions
2 In these regulations,
“Act” means the Regulated Health Professions Act;
“Board” is further defined to mean the board of the Regulator;
“competency framework” means a framework approved by the Board establishing
the competencies that registrants are required to possess to practise safely and
ethically within the scope of practice of their designation or licensing category;
“former Act” is further defined to mean Chapter 13 of the Acts of 2007, the
Respiratory Therapists Act;
“General Regulations” means the Regulated Health Professions General
Regulations made under the Act;
“Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists” means the college continued
under Section 3 of the former Act;
“registration and licensing decision maker” means the registrar, the registration and
licensing committee or the registration and licensing review committee, as
applicable;
“Regulator” means the Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy;
“title protection” means the restriction on the use of a title associated with a
particular designation or category of licence to persons who are authorized to
practise within the scope of that designation or registered and licensed in that
category of licence.
Regulator
Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists continued
3 The Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists is continued as a regulatory body
under the name Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy with the purpose of
regulating the profession of respiratory therapy in accordance with the objects set out in
Section 6 of the Act.
Bylaw authorization
4 The Regulator is authorized to make bylaws under clauses 12(2)(i), (k), (l) and (m) of the
Act, in accordance with the Act and these regulations.
Public representatives on Board
5 In addition to the requirement of subsection 7(2) of the Act, the number of public
representatives on the Board must be no fewer than 3 and no more than 4.
Scope of Practice
Scope of practice of respiratory therapy
6 (1) The scope of practice of respiratory therapy is the application of specialized and
evidence-based respiratory therapy knowledge, skills and judgment that have been
taught in an approved education program or are set out in 1 or more of the
following approved by the Board:
(a) competency frameworks;
(b) standards of practice;
(c) practice guidelines.
(2) The scope of practice of respiratory therapy as described in subsection (1) includes
the performance of any or all of the following activities:
(a) assessing, treating and managing acute and chronic cardiorespiratory health
conditions of any client population in any setting;
(b) providing anaesthesia assistance in collaboration with other regulated health
professionals;
(c) promoting cardiorespiratory health and the prevention of illness;
(d) performing any other services, roles, functions and activities included in the
scope of practice of the designations and licensing categories set out in the
bylaws.
(3) The scope of practice of respiratory therapy also includes health promotion,
research, education, inter-professional collaboration, consultation, management,
administration, advocacy, regulation or system development that is related to the
activities and application of specialized and evidence-based respiratory therapy
knowledge, skills and judgment described in subsections (1) and (2).
Scope of practice of designations and licensing categories
7 Under clauses 12(2)(k) and (l) of the Act, the Regulator may make bylaws setting out all
of the following:
(a) the scope of practice of each designation and licensing category established
(i) in these regulations, and
(ii) in the bylaws;
(b) the title protection authorized for each designation and licensing category
established in the bylaws.
Registration and Licensing
Practising licence categories
8 The following are the practising licence categories for respiratory therapy:
(a) respiratory therapist practising licence;
(b) any other category of practising licence established in the bylaws.
Conditional licence categories
9 The following are the conditional licence categories for respiratory therapy:
(a) respiratory therapist conditional licence;
(b) any other category of conditional licence established in the bylaws.
Application and criteria for registration in practising register
10 (1) An application required by Section 34 of the Act must be completed in the form
required by the registrar.
(2) In addition to the completed application, an applicant for registration in a practising
register must submit all of the following to the registrar:
(a) proof satisfactory to the registration and licensing decision maker that the
applicant meets all of the following criteria, except if any or all of the
criteria are waived under Section 59 of the Act:
(i) they are a graduate of 1 of the following:
(A) an education program approved for registration in the practising
register in which they seek to be registered,
(B) an education program that, in the opinion of the registration
and licensing decision maker, is equivalent to an education
program approved for registration in the practising register in
which they seek to be registered,
(C) an education program that, together with the applicant’s
additional education and experience and in the opinion of the
registration and licensing decision maker, provides the
applicant with the competencies to practise in the scope of
practice of registrants in the practising register in which they
seek to be registered,
(ii) they have successfully completed any examinations required by the
Board for registration in the practising register in which they seek to
be registered,
(iii) they have completed a competence assessment, if directed to do so
by the registration and licensing decision maker,
(iv) they have successfully completed any bridging education required for
registration that was determined to be necessary by a competence
assessment,
(v) they have demonstrated proficiency in the English language, in the
manner prescribed by the registrar,
(vi) they are a Canadian citizen or legally entitled to live and work in
Canada,
(vii) they have the capacity, competence and character to safely and
ethically engage in the practice of the profession in which they seek
to be registered without conditions or restrictions,
(viii) they have no outstanding complaints, prohibitions, conditions,
agreements or restrictions originating from the Regulator or any other
registration or licensing authority that would preclude registration in
a register other than a conditional register,
(ix) they are the person named in the documentation submitted in support
of the application,
(x) under the requirements of the Act, these regulations and the bylaws,
they are eligible for a practising licence that corresponds with the
practising register in which they seek to be registered,
(xi) they meet any additional criteria for registration in a practising
register set out in the bylaws;
(b) the applicable fee, within the time determined by the registrar and using a
method acceptable to the registrar.
(3) The processing under Section 36 of the Act of an application and its associated
information, documents and fee described in subsections (1) and (2) must be
completed by the registrar as soon as practicable.
(4) A review and decision under Sections 37 and 38 of the Act regarding an
application must be completed by the registration and licensing committee as soon
as practicable.
Criteria for practising licence
11 (1) In addition to the completed application in a form approved by the registrar
required by Section 35 of the Act, an applicant for a practising licence must submit
all of the following to the registrar:
(a) proof satisfactory to the registration and licensing decision maker that the
applicant meets all of the following criteria, except if any or all of the
criteria are waived under Section 59 of the Act:
(i) they meet the registration criteria in subclauses 10(2)(a)(iii), (iv), (v),
(vi), (vii) and (ix),
(ii) they are registered in the practising register that corresponds with the
licensing category for which they are seeking a practising licence,
(iii) they have professional liability insurance or another form of
malpractice coverage or liability protection in the form and amount
set by the Board,
(iv) they meet the requirements of the continuing competence program
for the licensing category for which they are seeking a practising
licence,
(v) they meet the currency of practice requirements for the licensing
category for which they are seeking a practising licence,
(vi) they have no outstanding complaints, prohibitions, conditions,
agreements or restrictions originating from the Regulator or any other
registration or licensing authority that limit their ability to practise,
(vii) they have completed any assessments or education required by the
Board for the licensing category for which they are seeking a
practising licence,
(viii) they meet any additional criteria for issuing a practising licence set
out in the bylaws;
(b) the applicable fee, within the time determined by the registrar and using a
method acceptable to the registrar.
(2) The processing under Section 36 of the Act of an application and associated
information, documents and fee described in subsection (1) must be completed by
the registrar as soon as practicable.
(3) A review and decision under Sections 37 and 38 of the Act regarding an
application must be completed by the registration and licensing committee as soon
as practicable.
Criteria for registration in conditional register
12 (1) The registrar must enter the name of a person who meets all of the following in a
conditional register:
(a) for an existing registrant in a practising register, they have
(i) agreed to conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise,
or
(ii) had conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise
imposed on them as a result of a regulatory process;
(b) for an applicant for registration in a register, they meet all of the following
requirements:
(i) all of the criteria for registration in a practising register, other than the
criteria in subclauses 10(2)(a)(vii), (viii), (x) and (xi), and except as
provided in subsection (4),
(ii) they have the capacity, competence and character to safely and
ethically engage in the practice of the profession in which they seek
to be registered with conditions or restrictions,
(iii) they have either
(A) agreed to conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to
practise, or
(B) had conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise
imposed on them as a result of a regulatory process,
(iv) under the requirements of the Act, these regulations and the bylaws,
they are eligible for a conditional licence that corresponds with the
conditional register in which they seek to be registered,
(v) any other requirements for registration in a conditional register set
out in the bylaws,
(vi) they have paid the applicable fee, within the time determined by the
registrar and using a method acceptable to the registrar.
(2) The processing of an application under Section 36 of the Act for an applicant
described in clause (1)(b) must be completed by the registrar as soon as
practicable.
(3) A review and decision under Sections 37 and 38 of the Act regarding an
application made by an applicant described in clause (1)(b) must be completed by
the registration and licensing committee as soon as practicable.
(4) An applicant who has not passed the examinations required for registration, but
who otherwise meets the requirements of subsection 13(1), may be granted
conditional registration by the registration and licensing decision maker pending
the passing of the registration examinations.
Criteria for conditional licence
13 (1) The requirements to be met for issuing a conditional licence under Section 43 of
the Act are as follows:
(a) for a person who is an existing registrant holding a practising licence, they
have
(i) agreed to conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise,
or
(ii) had conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise
imposed on them as a result of a regulatory process;
(b) for an applicant for a licence, they meet all of the following requirements:
(i) all of the criteria for registration in a practising register, other than the
criteria in subclauses 10(2)(a)(vii), (viii), (x) and (xi), and except as
provided in subsection (4),
(ii) they are registered in a conditional register that corresponds with the
licensing category for which they are seeking a conditional licence,
(iii) the requirements for a practising licence in subclauses 11(1)(a)(iii)
and (vii),
(iv) they have the capacity, competence and character to safely and
ethically engage in the practice of the profession in which they seek
to be licensed with conditions or restrictions,
(v) any additional criteria for issuing a conditional licence set out in the
bylaws,
(vi) they have either
(A) agreed to the registration and licensing decision maker’s
imposition of conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to
practise, or
(B) had conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise
imposed by the registration and licensing decision maker or a
statutory committee;
(c) for all applicants, they have paid the applicable fee, within the time
determined by the registrar and using a method acceptable to the registrar.
(2) The processing of an application under Section 36 of the Act for an applicant
described in clause (1)(b) must be completed by the registrar as soon as
practicable.
(3) A review and decision under Sections 37 and 38 of the Act regarding an
application made by an applicant described in clause (1)(b) must be completed by
the registration and licensing committee as soon as practicable.
(4) An applicant who has not passed the examinations required for registration, but
who otherwise meets the requirements of subsection (1), may be issued a
conditional licence by the registration and licensing decision maker pending the
passing of the registration examinations.
Practice and Title Use Restrictions, Services Not Prohibited and Publication Restrictions
Restriction on practice of respiratory therapy
14 No person may engage or offer to engage in the practice of respiratory therapy or
describe their activities as “respiratory therapy” unless they are 1 of the following:
(a) a registrant holding a respiratory therapist practising licence or a respiratory
therapist conditional licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise respiratory therapy, in accordance with the
Act, these regulations, the General Regulations or the bylaws;
(c) exempt from the application of the Act, these regulations, the General
Regulations or the bylaws.
Restriction on use of “respiratory therapist” title, description or designation
15 (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), no person may take or use the title,
description or designation of “respiratory therapist”, the abbreviation “RT” or
“RRT” or any derivation or abbreviation of them either alone or in combination
with other words, letters or descriptions unless the person is 1 of the following:
(a) a registrant holding 1 of the following under these regulations or the bylaws:
(i) a respiratory therapist practising licence, as permitted by clause 40(a)
of the Act,
(ii) a respiratory therapist conditional licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise as a respiratory therapist or to use the
relevant title, description or designation in accordance with the Act, these
regulations, the General Regulations or the bylaws.
(2) A person who meets all of the requirements for registration in the respiratory
therapist practising register except for passing the registration examinations
approved by the Board, and who has been issued a respiratory therapist conditional
licence pending the passing of the examinations, may use the title “graduate
respiratory therapist” and the abbreviation “graduate RT” only.
Restriction on practice of anaesthesia assistance and use of “anaesthesia assistant” title,
description or designation
16 (1) No person may engage or offer to engage in the practice of anaesthesia assistance
or take or use the title, description or designation of “anaesthesia assistant”, the
abbreviation “AA” or any derivation or abbreviation of them either alone or in
combination with other words, letters or descriptions unless the person has the
approval of the registrar to engage in the practice of anaesthesia assistance.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any of the following:
(a) a registrant who has the approval of their regulatory body to engage in the
practice of anaesthesia assistance;
(b) a person who has the approval of an existing regulator to engage in the
practice of anaesthesia assistance.
Restriction on use of bylaw licensing category title, description or designation
17 No person may take or use the title, description or designation of a licensing category
established in the bylaws under clause 12(2)(l) of the Act, unless the person is 1 of the
following:
(a) a registrant holding a licence in the category that authorizes the use of that
title, description or designation;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise within the scope of the designation or to
use the title, description or designation of that licensing category, in
accordance with the Act, these regulations or the bylaws.
Services not prohibited by Act, regulations or bylaws
18 In addition to the services set out in Section 164 of the Act, nothing in the Act, these
regulations or the bylaws prohibits the provision of the following services:
(a) the practice of respiratory therapy during an interprovincial or international
client transfer;
(b) the practice of respiratory therapy in the Province by or the recovery of fees
or compensation for professional services rendered by a person registered in
the profession of respiratory therapy in another country, state, territory or
province who, once engaged, must accompany and temporarily care for a
client during the period of the engagement, if that person does not represent
or hold themselves out as a person registered under the Act or these
regulations;
(c) the practice of respiratory therapy by a non-registrant through delegation or
assignment of tasks by a registrant, if the practising and delegation is
performed in accordance with Section 59 of the General Regulations.
Restriction on use of title or designation in advertisement or publication
19 In any advertisement or publication, including business cards, websites and signage, that
refers to activities that fall within the scope of practice of respiratory therapy, the
following restrictions apply:
(a) only a person who is authorized to do so by these regulations may use the
following alone or in combination with other words, letters or descriptions:
(i) the title of “respiratory therapist” or “anaesthesia assistant” or any
other title or designation protected by these regulations or the bylaws,
(ii) any derivation or abbreviation of the titles or designations described
in subclause (i);
(b) only a person who is authorized to do so under Section 14 may describe
their activities as “respiratory therapy”.
Fines
Professional conduct fine maximum
20 A fine imposed by the professional conduct committee under clause 110(1)(m) of the
Act must not exceed a maximum amount of $50 000.
Criminal Offences and Withdrawal or Suspension of Privileges
Criminal offence or suspension or withdrawal of privilege of applicant or registrant
21 In addition to the requirements of Section 61 of the Act and Section 60 of the General
Regulations, an applicant or registrant who is charged with, pleads guilty to or is
convicted of any offence under the Food and Drugs Act (Canada) or its regulations or
who has privileges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) suspended
or withdrawn must immediately report the offence, suspension or withdrawal to the
registrar.
The following regulations are not
yet in force and are not included in the current consolidation: