REGULATING PSYCHOLOGISTS IN NOVA SCOTIA SINCE 1980

Those not Registered to Practice Independently as a Psychologist

Important: New Training Hours Documentation Policy (Effective September 2025)

Students starting psychology training programs in September 2025 must follow new NSBEP Guidelines for documenting training hours. Read the full policy details here: https://www.ns-rp.ca/nsbep-new-policy-tracking-hours/.

This section is intended for applicants who wish to become registered as a psychologist in Nova Scotia but who are not authorized to practice independently as a psychologist in another jurisdiction.

For greater clarity, this section is intended for applicants who have obtained their academic credentials from an institution in Canada or the US, and who:

  • are not authorized to practice independently by a psychology regulatory body
  • possess registration with a psychology regulatory body that constitutes a provisional type of registration
  • possess registration as a psychologist but in a category that does not authorize them to practice psychology, e.g., retired registration, non-practising registration, etc.
  • possess registration in another jurisdiction but not with a psychology regulatory body, e.g., counselling, marriage and family therapy, etc.

The Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology works hard to make the registration process as easy to understand as possible. Application information is available under the Section of the website “Those not Registered as Psychologist,” here.

The Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology Registry Criteria

Under The Nova Scotia Regulated Health Professions Act and the Psychology Regulations, Regulations & NSBEP Policy, applicants who want to register with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology must meet the following criteria:

For more information about acceptable degrees in psychology, please review the criteria by clicking here.

The NSBEP’s academic requirements include completion of a minimum period of supervised work in the form of a practicum or internship as part of the academic training program. Applicants must have psychological work experience in the particular area(s) for which they are declaring. For more information, see the Work Experience section of the following document.
https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Registration_Requirements_Regular.pdf

As part of their Practice Profile in the application, applicants complete an attestation indicating the language(s) in which they are comfortable providing services.

All applicants to the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology are required to complete a Declaration of Competence, Capacity and Character as part of their application. The Declaration requires applicants to provide details about their current and past conduct.

Appropriate Competence, Capacity and Character are on-going expectations of registrants of the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology to safely and ethically practise. Registrants, as members of a self-regulating health profession, are required to provide declarations to the NSBEP as part of their initial application and at the time of their annual registration renewal process.

This requirement is initially assessed throughout the completed application, particularly under the Core Competency section for Ethics and Standards.
Prior to registration with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology, applicants are required to attest that they have reviewed the relevant local jurisprudence, standards, and resources. For information purposes, a document on the Attestation Process is accessible directly below.
https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Information_Attestation.pdf

The NSBEP requires candidates to pass the EPPP and Oral Exam. For more information about the examination and candidacy requirements, please see the following URL:
https://www.ns-rp.ca/information-for-registrants/for-candidate-registrants/faq/

You may begin compiling documents and completing your application for registration prior to arriving in Canada.

Important: Under the Psychology Regulations, the NSBEP cannot grant registration or issue a licence until you provide proof that you are either:

  • a Canadian citizen, or
  • permanently entitled to live and work in Canada (permanent resident), or
  • legally entitled to work in Canada under a valid work permit that allows the practice of psychology.

You may begin compiling documents and complete your application to the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology prior to arriving in Nova Scotia, if applicable. 

Important: Under the Psychology Regulations, the NSRP cannot grant registration or issue a licence until you provide proof that you are either:

  • a Canadian citizen, or
  • permanently entitled to live and work in Canada (permanent resident), or
  • legally entitled to work in Canada under a valid work permit that allows the practice of psychology.

A pathway document has also been created to help guide applicants through the registration process. Here is a link to the document: 
https://ns-rp.ca/downloads/New_Applicant_Flowchart.pdf

A link is also provided directly below which provides an outline of costs related to the registration process with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology:
https://www.ns-rp.ca/applicants/listing-of-fees-for-all-applicants/

Registration Steps with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology for Regular Applicant

Given the commitment of time and resources associated with the application process, it is strongly recommended that graduates of programs that are not accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association, refer to the criteria for acceptable degrees in psychology, prior to submitting an application:
https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Registration_Requirements_Regular.pdf

2.1 Complete the Online Application Form

2.1 a) Here is a link to the Online Application Guide which should be reviewed before starting with the Online Application:
https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Online_Regular_Application_Guide.pdf

2.1 b) Here is a link to the actual Online Application System:
https://secure.nsbep.org/regular_applicant_login.php

2.2 Provide Supporting Documentation to accompany your Application

2.2.1 Curriculum Vitae (resume)
2.2.2 Photo ID
2.2.3 Criminal check
2.2.4 Child Abuse Check / Declaration
2.2.5 Transcripts
2.2.6 Information about your program of study including coursework

Please refer to following Guide which outlines in detail what we expect for Supporting Documentation:
https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Supporting_Documentation.pdf

2.3 Arrange for Supplemental Forms to be completed and provided to the NSBEP

2.3.1 Psychological Practice Profile
2.3.2 Reference Form
2.3.3 Confirmation of Standing Form
2.3.4 Supervisor’s Consent

Those who wish to complete any of the above forms in advance of the online application, may download the forms via the below link.  However, the following supplemental forms are included within the sequence of the Online Application Process, so the below link is optional.
https://www.ns-rp.ca/supplemental-forms/

Once all requirements of your application are completed and the application is submitted, the Registration Subcommittee of the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology will review your application.  The assessment process and criteria is outlined in the following PDF:
https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Registration_Requirements_Regular.pdf

When complete, the NSRP will review your application.

Registration Deadlines
Due to workload volume and required processes, it is necessary for the NSRP to impose a cutoff of the 15th of each month for any registration items. This means that all registration items must be complete and submitted by the 15th of the month. Reviews will be completed at the end of the calendar month. This includes but is not limited to the following: applications for registration, requests for oral exams, or any other registration items. For full details on the review process, please click here. 

Once the NSBEP has completed its assessment of your application materials, you will be contacted in writing, typically within 2 weeks.  To facilitate this communication, the registration decision will typically be sent to you via email.

There are three possible outcomes following this assessment by the the NSBEP:

  1. If your academic credentials are approved and you meet the other requirements outlined above, the Registration & Licensing Decision Maker may approve your name for placement on the Conditional Register. Placement on the Conditional Register would include completing the legislated period of candidacy supervision and examinations. Supervision is completed while one is registered as a Candidate Psychologist and working in Nova Scotia. For information on the examinations and candidacy requirements, please visit the FAQ page for candidacy (Conditional Register), available via the following URL:
    https://www.ns-rp.ca/information-for-registrants/for-candidate-registrants/faq/
  2. If it is determined that you do not possess a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology that meets the criteria of acceptable degrees in psychology and/or you do not meet other requirements noted in the criteria at the top of this page, the Registration & Licensing Decision Maker must decline the application. In the event that your application is declined, you will be informed in writing of the criteria not met and you will be provided with the opportunity to appeal this decision.  Please review the process here: https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Registration_Appeal_Process.pdf

If an application for registration is approved with NSBEP, the NSBEP requires the applicant to complete the Attestation Process prior to being granted registration.

Once the Attestation Process is completed, and the registration fee is paid, the applicant is registered with the NSBEP.

Information concerning the registration fees and professional liability requirements is outlined via this link:
https://www.ns-rp.ca/about-nsbep/all-fees/

For More Information:

  1. Association of Canadian Psychology Regulatory Organizations (ACPRO)
    http://www.acpro-aocrp.ca/
  2. Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia (APNS)
    http://apns.ca/ 
  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
    http://www.cpa.ca/
  4. Fair Registration Practices Act (FRPA) Office
    https://novascotia.ca/lae/RplLabourMobility/FRP.asp
  5. Careers Nova Scotia
    https://careers.novascotia.ca/

1. Online Application Guide
https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Online_Regular_Application_Guide.pdf
2. Supporting Documentation Explanatory PDF
https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Supporting_Documentation.pdf
3. Supplemental Forms page
https://www.ns-rp.ca/supplemental-forms/
4. Core Competencies in Psychology
https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Core_Competencies.pdf
5. Requirements and Criteria for Assessing Regular Applicants
https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Registration_Requirements_Regular.pdf 
6. Attestation Process
https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Information_Attestation.pdf 

We welcome enquiries by either phone or email.  However, email may offer the opportunity for you to receive a considered response and often makes communication more efficient as the applicant and the NSRP Office may be in different time zones.  If you have asked for a reply, a staff member will answer your email as soon as possible. We aim to respond within 24-48 hours on working days but may respond more quickly if we are able to do so.

The NSRP staff and contact information is available via the contact us page:

https://www.ns-rp.ca/contact-us/

We welcome your comments. Is there:
  • a topic we have missed?
  • content that can be clarified?
  • a way to make the site easier to navigate?
      Send us your feedback
 

Please note this section is for visitors to submit comments. Submissions through this form are not responded to. Please see the “Contact Us” section if you are making an enquiry and wish to receive a response.

CONTACT Us

  • Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology
  • Email: nsbep@nsbep.org
  • Phone: 902-423-2238
  • Mailing and Courier Address below (all couriers accepted)
  • 103-287 Lacewood Dr., Suite 331 Halifax NS B3M 3Y7
  • Please enclose documents in an envelope or package for secure handling.

BUSINESS HOURS

  • Monday - Friday
  • 9:00AM - 1:00PM
  • Excluding Statuatory Holidays

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis:


  • The Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology (NSRP) is a regulatory body that oversees the practice of psychology to ensure public safety and professional standards. We do not provide emergency services, crisis intervention, or referrals to psychologists.

    For immediate support, please contact one of the following confidential mental health and addictions services:
  • Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167 (24/7 support)
  • Emergency Services: Call 911 or visit your nearest hospital emergency department
  • Mental Health and Addictions Intake: 1-855-922-1122 (to access community-based services)
  • For non-emergency inquiries about finding a psychologist, you may contact the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia (APNS) at https://apns.ca/ for referral information.

Copyright © 2021 Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology.