Nursing and Midwifery Regulations
made under Sections 4, 13, 14 and 177 of the
Regulated Health Professions Act
S.N.S. 2023, c. 15
O.I.C. 2026-202 (effective June 30, 2026), N.S. Reg. 155/2026
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 Nursing continued
Other existing regulator replaced
Bylaw authorization
Public representatives on Board
Appointment of public representatives to Board
Scope of Practice
Scope of practice of nursing
Scope of practice of midwifery
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 nursing
Restriction on practice of midwifery
Restriction on use of “licensed practical nurse” title, description or designation
Restriction on use of “registered psychiatric nurse” title, description or designation
Restriction on use of “registered nurse” title, description or designation
Restriction on use of “nurse practitioner” title, description or designation
Restriction on use of “registered midwife” title, description or designation
Restriction on use of “nurse” title, description or designation
Restriction on use of bylaw licensing category title, description or designation
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
Transition from Former Acts to Act
Board member requirements for first 12 months or until replacement of initial Board
Interpretation
Citation
1 These regulations may be cited as the Nursing and Midwifery 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 Acts” is further defined to mean Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2019, the
Nursing Act and Chapter 18 of the Acts of 2006, the Midwifery Act;
“General Regulations” means the Regulated Health Professions General
Regulations made under the Act;
“Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia” means the council constituted
under Section 3 of Chapter 18 of the Acts of 2006, the Midwifery Act;
“Nova Scotia College of Nursing” means the college established under Section 3
of Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2019, the Nursing 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 Nursing and Midwifery Regulator;
“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 Nursing continued
3 The Nova Scotia College of Nursing is continued as a regulatory body under the name
Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator with the purpose of regulating the
professions of nursing and midwifery in accordance with the objects set out in Section 6
of the Act.
Other existing regulator replaced
4 The Regulator replaces the Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia as the
regulator of the profession of midwifery.
Bylaw authorization
5 The Regulator is authorized to make bylaws under any of the following, in accordance
with the Act and these regulations:
(a) clauses 12(2)(d), (j), (k), (l) and (m) of the Act;
(b) subject to subsection 7(1), clause 12(2)(a) of the Act.
Public representatives on Board
6 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.
Appointment of public representatives to Board
7 (1) One of the public representatives described in Section 6 must be appointed to the
Board by the Governor in Council and, if that Governor in Council-appointed
public representative position on the Board becomes vacant, it must be filled by an
appointment by the Governor in Council.
(2) To appoint a public representative other than the public representative described in
subsection (1) to the Board in order to meet the requirements of Section 6, the
Regulator must do all of the following:
(a) publicly advertise an opening for a public representative on the Board on the
Regulator’s website, another website or another publicly available digital
platform
(i) for no fewer than 60 days, if the opening is for a public representative
to serve a full term on the Board, or
(ii) for no fewer than 30 days, if the opening is for a public representative
to serve a partial term on the Board;
(b) select an applicant and appoint them to the Board after the applicable period
described in clause (a) has elapsed.
(3) The Board may remove a public representative described in subsection (2) from
the Board before the expiration of their term of office if
(a) the Board makes a special motion to remove the public representative from
the Board; and
(b) a 2/3 majority of the Board votes in favour of the special motion described
in clause (a).
(4) If the Board position of a public representative described in subsection (2) becomes
vacant before the expiration of the public representative’s term of office,
(a) the Board may select and appoint a new public representative to fill the
vacancy on the Board by using the results of previous recruitment efforts or
undertaking additional recruitment; and
(b) the public representative described in clause (a) may complete the term of
the public representative they are replacing and that term is not included in
any term limit set out in the General Regulations.
Scope of Practice
Scope of practice of nursing
8 (1) The scope of practice of nursing is the application of specialized and
evidence-based nursing 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 nursing as described in subsection (1) includes the
performance of any or all of the following activities:
(a) planning, implementing and evaluating physical, mental and psychosocial
health care;
(b) assessing, diagnosing, treating and managing health conditions and diseases;
(c) planning, implementing and evaluating interventions to promote health and
prevent health conditions and diseases;
(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 nursing 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 nursing knowledge,
skills and judgment described in subsections (1) and (2).
Scope of practice of midwifery
9 (1) The scope of practice of midwifery is the application of specialized and evidence-based midwifery 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 midwifery as described in subsection (1) includes the
performance of any or all of the following activities:
(a) prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care of clients;
(b) assessing, diagnosing, treating and managing health conditions and diseases
related to sexual and reproductive health;
(c) health promotion and disease prevention activities related to the activities
described in clauses (a) and (b);
(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 midwifery 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 midwifery knowledge,
skills and judgment described in subsections (1) and (2).
Scope of practice of designations and licensing categories
10 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
11 The following are the practising licence categories for nursing and midwifery:
(a) licensed practical nurse practising licence;
(b) registered psychiatric nurse practising licence;
(c) registered nurse practising licence;
(d) nurse practitioner practising licence;
(e) registered midwife practising licence;
(f) any other category of practising licence established in the bylaws.
Conditional licence categories
12 The following are the conditional licence categories for nursing and midwifery:
(a) licensed practical nurse conditional licence;
(b) registered psychiatric nurse conditional licence;
(c) registered nurse conditional licence;
(d) nurse practitioner conditional licence;
(e) registered midwife conditional licence;
(f) any other category of conditional licence established in the bylaws.
Application and criteria for registration in practising register
13 (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) for an application submitted on or after December 1, 2026, 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 license 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
14 (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 license 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 13(2)(a)(iii), (iv), (v),
(vii) and (ix) and, for an application submitted on or after December
1, 2026, in subclause 13(2)(a)(vi),
(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
15 (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, except as
provided in subsection (4), other than the criteria in
(A) subclauses 13(2)(a)(vii), (viii), (x) and (xi), and
(B) for an application submitted before December 1, 2026,
subclause 13(2)(a)(vi),
(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 16(1), may be granted
conditional registration by the registration and licensing decision maker pending
the passing of the registration examinations.
Criteria for conditional licence
16 (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, except as
provided in subsection (4), other than the criteria in
(A) subclauses 13(2)(a)(vii), (viii), (x) and (xi), and
(B) for an application submitted before December 1, 2026,
subclause 13(2)(a)(vi),
(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 14(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 nursing
17 No person may engage or offer to engage in the practice of nursing or describe their
activities as “nursing” unless they are 1 of the following:
(a) a registrant holding a licensed practical nurse practising licence or a licensed
practical nurse conditional licence;
(b) a registrant holding a registered psychiatric nurse practising licence or a
registered psychiatric nurse conditional licence;
(c) a registrant holding a registered nurse practising licence or a registered nurse
conditional licence;
(d) a registrant holding a nurse practitioner practising licence or a nurse
practitioner conditional licence;
(e) otherwise authorized to practise nursing, in accordance with the Act, these
regulations, the General Regulations or the bylaws;
(f) exempt from the application of the Act, these regulations, the General
Regulations or the bylaws.
Restriction on practice of midwifery
18 No person may engage or offer to engage in the practice of midwifery or describe their
activities as “midwifery” unless they are 1 of the following:
(a) a registrant holding a registered midwife practising licence or a registered
midwife conditional licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise midwifery, 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 “licensed practical nurse” title, description or designation
19 No person may take or use the title, description or designation of “licensed practical
nurse”, the abbreviation “LPN” 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 licensed practical nurse practising licence, as permitted by clause
40(a) of the Act,
(ii) a licensed practical nurse conditional licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise as a licensed practical nurse or to use the
relevant title, description or designation in accordance with the Act, these
regulations, the General Regulations or the bylaws.
Restriction on use of “registered psychiatric nurse” title, description or designation
20 No person may take or use the title, description or designation of “registered psychiatric
nurse”, the abbreviation “RPN” 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 registered psychiatric nurse practising licence, as permitted by
clause 40(a) of the Act,
(ii) a registered psychiatric nurse conditional licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise as a registered psychiatric nurse or to use
the relevant title, description or designation in accordance with the Act,
these regulations, the General Regulations or the bylaws.
Restriction on use of “registered nurse” title, description or designation
21 No person may take or use the title, description or designation of “registered nurse”, the
abbreviation “RN” 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 registered nurse practising licence, as permitted by clause 40(a) of
the Act,
(ii) a registered nurse conditional licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise as a registered nurse or to use the relevant
title, description or designation in accordance with the Act, these
regulations, the General Regulations or the bylaws.
Restriction on use of “nurse practitioner” title, description or designation
22 No person may take or use the title, description or designation of “nurse practitioner”, the
abbreviation “NP” 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 nurse practitioner practising licence, as permitted by clause 40(a) of
the Act,
(ii) a nurse practitioner conditional licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise as a nurse practitioner or to use the relevant
title, description or designation in accordance with the Act, these
regulations, the General Regulations or the bylaws.
Restriction on use of “registered midwife” title, description or designation
23 No person may take or use the title, description or designation of “registered midwife” or
“midwife”, the abbreviation “RM” 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 registered midwife practising licence, as permitted by clause 40(a)
of the Act,
(ii) a registered midwife conditional licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise as a registered midwife or to use the
relevant title, description or designation in accordance with the Act, these
regulations, the General Regulations or the bylaws.
Restriction on use of “nurse” title, description or designation
24 No person may take or use the title, description or designation of “nurse” 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 licensed practical nurse practising licence, a registered psychiatric
nurse practising licence, a registered nurse practising licence or a
nurse practitioner practising licence, as permitted by clause 40(a) of
the Act,
(ii) a licensed practical nurse conditional licence, a registered psychiatric
nurse conditional licence, a registered nurse conditional licence or a
nurse practitioner conditional licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise as a nurse or to use the relevant title,
description or designation in accordance with the Act, these regulations, the
General Regulations or the bylaws.
Restriction on use of bylaw licensing category title, description or designation
25 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, the General Regulations or the
bylaws.
Restriction on use of title or designation in advertisement or publication
26 In any advertisement or publication, including business cards, websites and signage, that
refers to activities that fall within the scope of practice of nursing or midwifery, 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 “licensed practical nurse”, “registered psychiatric nurse”,
“registered nurse”, “nurse practitioner” or “registered midwife” 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 17 may describe
their activities as “nursing”;
(c) only a person who is authorized to do so under Section 18 may describe
their activities as “midwifery”.
Fines
Professional conduct fine maximum
27 A fine imposed by the professional conduct committee under clause 110(1)(m) of the
Act must not exceed a maximum amount of $100 000.
Criminal Offences and Withdrawal or Suspension of Privileges
Criminal offence or suspension or withdrawal of privilege of applicant or registrant
28 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.
Transition from Former Acts to Act
Board member requirements for first 12 months or until replacement of initial Board
29 (1) An initial Board member is exempt from the board membership requirements in
subsection 8(5) of the Act until the earlier of 12 months after the date the
Regulator is established under these regulations and the replacement of the initial
Board if they transitioned from the board of the Nova Scotia College of Nursing to
the initial Board.
(2) The initial Board described in Section 9 of the Act must meet all of the following
requirements until the earlier of 12 months after the date the Regulator is
established under these regulations and the replacement of the initial Board:
(a) it must not include any of the following positions designated by Section 4 of
Chapter 18 of the Acts of 2006, the Midwifery Act, to be on the Midwifery
Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia:
(i) a registered nurse recommended by the Nova Scotia College of
Nursing,
(ii) a physician recommended by the College of Physicians and
Surgeons;
(b) it must be composed of no more than 15 members.
(3) The initial Board described in Section 9 of the Act includes any member of the
board of the Nova Scotia College of Nursing whose term of office has expired, but
who remains a member of the board under clause 5(1)(f) of Chapter 8 of the Acts
of 2019, the Nursing Act, until the earliest of the following dates:
(a) the date that is 12 months after the date the Regulator is established under
these regulations;
(b) the date of the replacement of the initial Board;
(c) the date the member resigns from the initial Board.
The following regulations are not
yet in force and are not included in the current consolidation: