Your Registration Status Following NSRP’s Transition to the Regulated Health Professions Act
On November 24, 2025, the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology (NSRP) transitioned to the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). We recognize that many registrants who held non-practising registration categories under the previous Psychologists Act may have questions about what this means for them. This page is intended to provide clarity and reassurance.
What Has Changed
Following our transition to the RHPA, the Retired, Inactive, and Out-of-Province registration categories that were previously maintained by NSRP are no longer available. This is a result of our transition to the RHPA, which focuses on active practice and licensure.
Your registration with NSRP continues automatically — nothing is required from you. There is no renewal process and no fee, and your registration remains active indefinitely. You will continue to receive communications and updates from NSRP, and your name remains listed in the NSRP directory. Under the RHPA, registration and licensure are distinct. Those who were in non-practising categories remain Registrants of the NSRP, but do not hold an active licence to practise psychology in Nova Scotia — consistent with their previous registration status, which did not include a practising licence.
Currently Licensed Registrants Considering Not Renewing
If you currently hold a Practising Licence and do not intend to renew, please submit written notice to the office prior to June 30 of the renewal year to avoid suspension of your licence. If you have missed this deadline, please contact the office as soon as possible. Please note that while your registration with NSRP remains intact following a suspension, a suspended licence will be reflected as such in any verification or confirmation of registration provided to another jurisdiction.
You will continue to receive communications and updates from NSRP, and your name remains listed in the NSRP directory. Under the RHPA, registration and licensure are distinct — you remain a Registrant of the NSRP, but will not hold an active licence to practise psychology in Nova Scotia.
If you are retiring from practice, you may describe yourself as ‘Retired Psychologist’ or ‘Former Psychologist.’ If you are taking a leave and intend to return, appropriate designations include ‘Registrant, NSRP (not currently licensed)’ or ‘[Your Degree], Registrant of the NSRP (not currently licensed).'” The degree referenced should be your degree recognized by NSRP for registration purposes.
Retired Registrants
If you previously held a Retired registration status, very little changes in practical terms. NSRP is pleased to advise that you may continue using a qualifier that makes clear to the public that you are no longer entitled to practise using the following titles, which are both appropriate and permitted:
- Retired Psychologist
- Former Psychologist
For more information about retirement from practice, including information about returning to active practice, please visit our Retired Psychologist page at https://www.ns-rp.ca/information-for-registrants/for-all-registrants/retired/
Inactive Registrants
If you previously held an Inactive registration status, your registration continues automatically. Under the RHPA, registration and licensure are distinct — you remain a Registrant of the NSRP, but your licence to practise is not currently active.
As you do not hold an active licence to practise, you should not use the title “Psychologist” during this period. Should you need to describe your professional status, appropriate designations include “Registrant, NSRP (not currently licensed)” or “[Your Degree], Registrant of the NSRP (not currently licensed)”. The degree referenced should be your degree recognized by NSRP for registration purposes.
When you are ready to return to active practice, you may request a reinstatement of your Practising Licence. Please visit our Reinstatement of Licence to Practice page at https://www.ns-rp.ca/reinstatement-of-practising-licence/ for information on the process.
Out-of-Province Registrants
If you previously held an Out-of-Province registration status under the former Psychologists Act — a non-practising category intended for psychologists registered in Nova Scotia but licensed in another province — your registration with NSRP continues automatically.
As you do not hold an active licence to practise, you should not use the title “Psychologist” in relation to your registration with NSRP.
Should you wish to practise psychology in Nova Scotia in the future, you may request reinstatement of your Practising Licence. Please visit our Reinstatement of Licence to Practice page at https://www.ns-rp.ca/reinstatement-of-practising-licence/ for information on the process.
Questions?
If you have any questions about your registration status or this transition, please do not hesitate to contact the office.
