www.nspharmacy.ca, the official website of the Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator (NSPR), provides information about the pharmacy regulator, pharmacist and pharmacy technician registration, pharmacy licensure, and pharmacy practice in our province.

The information on this site is intended as a resource to pharmacy professionals and future pharmacy professionals, and to the public.

Public interpretation of health information on this site should not be substituted for the advice of a healthcare professional. For specific health matters, visitors to this site are encouraged to consult their pharmacist or other appropriate healthcare provider.

Occasionally, alternate websites are referenced on this site. This does not imply an endorsement by NSPR. The Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator does not endorse specific organizations, products, or therapies.

Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People, and we acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land.

We respect and honour the Peace and Friendship Treaties that were signed in this territory, setting the terms of coexistence between settlers and the Mi’kmaq people. These Treaties remain in place today.

We recognize our responsibility to uphold the Treaties in the spirit of Reconciliation and collaboration. We acknowledge the harms that have created and continue to create health inequities for Mi’kmaq People, and we commit to moving forward in partnership.

We are all Treaty People.

We recognize the histories, legacies and contributions of African Nova Scotians, a distinct people with connections to the original 52 land-based Black communities. African Nova Scotians have been a key part of enriching the culture and history of Mi’kma’ki for more than 400 years.

Mi’kma’ki includes all of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, part of New Brunswick, the Gaspé region of Quebec, part of Maine, and southwestern Newfoundland.

Pharmacist

To practice as a pharmacist in Nova Scotia, you must be registered and licensed with the NSPR.

While all applicants must meet the same requirements and qualifications, there are different pathways to licensure, depending on whether an applicant is a graduate not previously licensed, a pharmacist licensed in another Canadian jurisdiction, an international pharmacy graduate licensed outside of Canada, or a pharmacist resuming practice.

1
Unstructured Practice Experience

Successfully complete 560 hours of unstructured practice experience as a registered student or intern, 280 of which must be completed after graduation.

Preceptor and Site Approval Form Sites in Nova Scotia: Student

Preceptor and Site Approval Form Sites in Nova Scotia: Intern

Preceptor and Site Approval Form Sites outside Nova Scotia

Declaration of Practice Experience Form: Student

Declaration of Practice Experience Form: Intern

2
Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Examination

Successfully complete the PEBC Pharmacist Qualifying Examination (QE) – Part I (MCQ) and Part II (OSCE).

Visit the PEBC website.

3
Complete Online Application

Log in to the NSPR Registrant Portal and complete the pharmacist licence application, including

  • Uploading proof of pharmacist professional liability insurance. Your insurance must meet the criteria set out in the section 53 of the NSPR Bylaws. 
  • Uploading an Intern Declaration of Practice Experience Form completed by your preceptor.
  • Uploading proof of graduation. A copy or photo of your degree will satisfy this requirement.
  • Completing payment (see Schedule of Fees).
4
Proof of Identity
  • Submit a signed NSPR Identification Verification Form AND
  • A copy of a valid approved government-issued photo identification document notarized by a Notary Public in Canada OR certified by a pharmacist or pharmacy technician that holds a valid license with the NSPR.
5
Injection Permit (if applicable)

Complete the injection permit transfer application (if applicable) in the NSPR Registrant Portal, including:

  • Uploading a valid CPR/First Aid certificate. Please note that to upgrade your injection permit and remove the “Technical” restrictions, a a valid CPR/First Aid certificate must be on file.
  • Completing payment (see Schedule of Fees).

Once your application is approved, we will issue your certificate of registration and licence. You must display this certificate in the pharmacy where you practice.

6
Jurisprudence Examination

Successfully complete the NSPR Jurisprudence Examination. For more information please visit our jurisprudence examination page here.

Complete each of the following and submit all items in ONE email to the NSPR Registrations & Licensing Team at registrations@nspharmacy.ca.

1
Application Form

Download and complete the Application for Registration as a Pharmacist: Pharmacist Licensed in Another Canadian Jurisdiction.

2
Letter of Standing

Provide a letter of standing from all pharmacy regulatory authorities where you are currently or have previously been registered.

Form: Letter of Standing.

3
Proof of Identity

Submit a signed NSPR Identification Verification Form AND

A copy of an approved government-issued photo identification document notarized by a Notary Public in Canada OR certified by pharmacist or pharmacy technician that holds a valid license with the NSPR.

4
Statement of Disclosure

Submit your Statement of Disclosure Form.

5
Criminal Record Check

Complete an “Enhanced Police Information Check” (myBackCheck) by visiting  www.sterlingtalentsolutions.ca/nspharmacists. This must be conducted within three months of the completed registration process.

6
Declarations

Declare that you have/have not fulfilled the Continuing Education/Continuing Competence/Quality Assurance requirements for licensure to practise and confirm that there are no outstanding complaints against you.

7
Professional Liability Insurance

Provide the NSPR with a letter or certificate from an insurance provider confirming that the professional liability insurance policy meets the legislated criteria.

8
English Language Proficiency

Meet English language proficiency requirements as outlined in the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) English Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacist in Canada.

Applicants who have received an accredited Canadian or American university degree in Pharmacy will not be required to undergo further testing unless a trigger suggests that a test for language proficiency is necessary.

See NSPR English Language Proficiency Policy.

9
Jurisprudence Examination

Successfully complete the NSPR Jurisprudence Examination. For more information please visit our jurisprudence examination page here.

10
Injection Permit (if applicable)

If applying for an injection permit, submit a completed Drug Administration by Injection Permit Application, along with supporting documentation and fee. A valid NSPR injection permit is required to administer injections in practice.

11
Payment of Applicable Fees

Submit the required registration and licensing fees to proceed with your application.

  • View Fees: Schedule of Fees
  • How to Pay: A payment link will be emailed to you following submission of your application.   
  • Payment Methods: We accept VISA, VISA Debit, MasterCard, and Debit Mastercard.

Once your application is approved, we will issue your certificate of registration and licence. You must display this certificate in the pharmacy where you practice.

Where an applicant who is licensed in another Canadian jurisdiction is eligible to be licensed with the NSPR, your application will be approved within five business days following the receipt of your completed application.

Am I eligible?

The NSPR offers a streamlined licensing pathway for pharmacists licensed in Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland and the USA to work in Nova Scotia, Canada – no national competency exam (PEBC) or internship required!

Pharmacists eligible for this new licensing pathway must:

1. Hold an active licence/registration in good standing* in one of the following jurisdictions:

  • Australia
  • Great Britain
  • New Zealand
  • Republic of Ireland
  • United States of America

2. Have practiced sufficient direct patient care in that jurisdiction within the last two years to maintain your competence to practice?

*Good standing means you meet all of the following criteria:

  • You have been assessed by the regulatory authority to have the capacity, competency and character to safely and ethically practice.
  • You are not the subject of an outstanding complaint in any jurisdiction.
  • You are not the subject of an outstanding disciplinary or remedial process in any jurisdiction.
  • Your practice is not prohibited by suspension or revocation.
  • Your practice is not limited by any conditions, restrictions, or other agreements in any jurisdiction.

Note: You may also be eligible for the streamlined pathway if you have ever held a license/registration in one of the designated jurisdictions above (even if you do not currently hold a license/registration there). Please contact our Registrations and Licensing Team at registrations@nspharmacy.ca for more information.

For more information, including FAQs, visit www.RxNS.ca.

1
Application Form

Complete the Application for Registration as a Transition Direct Patient Care Pharmacist: Pharmacists from Eligible International Jurisdictions.

The application includes a declaration that you:

  • understand the continuing education requirements for renewal of your licensure for the following year; and
  • that you have practiced sufficient direct patient care pharmacy within the two preceding years in the jurisdiction where you are currently licensed/registered to maintain the competence to practice direct patient care pharmacy.
2
Letter of Standing

For US Applicants

Letters of Standing must be requested through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Electronic Licensure Transfer Program (eLTP) via your NABP eProfile Account.

Information about the eLTP is available at https://nabp.pharmacy/programs/licensure/licensure-transfer/. If you have questions about the eLTP and obtaining your letter of standing, please contact eltp@nabp.pharmacy.

If you are or have been licensed/registered in a jurisdiction outside of the U.S., you must also provide a letter of standing from each of these  non-U.S. pharmacy regulatory authorities. The letter from the non-U.S. pharmacy regulator authority should include the following information:

  • confirmation of registration
  • classification of license/registration to practice,
  • any conditions currently associated with the applicant’s license/registration to practice,
  • complete list of any complaints, discipline matters, discipline proceedings and sanctions, including any settlements, warnings and cautions, and
  • confirmation that there are no outstanding complaints against the applicant.

A letter from another pharmacy regulatory authority should include all of the information above. If not, please have them complete the Letter of Standing Form.


For Non-US Applicants

Provide a letter of standing from all pharmacy regulatory authorities with which you are/have been licensed/registered.

The letter should include the following information:

  • confirmation of registration
  • classification of license/registration to practice,
  • any conditions currently associated with the applicant’s license/registration to practice,
  • complete list of any complaints, discipline matters, discipline proceedings and sanctions, including any settlements, warnings and cautions, and
  • confirmation that there are no outstanding complaints against the applicant.

A letter from another pharmacy regulatory authority should include all of the information above. If not, please have them complete the Letter of Standing Form.

3
Statement of Disclosure

Submit the Statement of Disclosure Form.

4
Proof of Identity

An applicant must submit two pieces of government issued identification, one of which must be an approved government issued photo identification document. An approved government issued photo identification must be valid (not expired) and can be any one of the following:

  • Federally issued passport
  • Driver’s license issued by a Canadian jurisdiction
  • Identification card issued by a Canadian jurisdiction
  • Certificate of Indian Status
  • Canadian Citizenship Certificate/Card
  • Canadian Permanent Resident Card

Please submit colour scans of your identity documents to the Registrations & Licensing Team at registrations@nspharmacy.ca.

Identity documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by the original, certified translation from a certified translator.

Note: You must provide proof of name change (e.g., marriage certificate) if the name on the government-issued photo identification document differs from the one on your application.

5
Jurisprudence Examination

Successfully complete the NSPR Jurisprudence Examination. For more information please visit our jurisprudence examination page here.

6
Criminal Record Check

Complete a criminal record check through CSI Screening by visiting https://csiscreening.com.

  • The criminal record check cannot be completed more than three months before your application is processed.
  • Screening must include all countries (including each state/province/region) in which you have lived for more than three months since turning 19 years old OR in the last 10 years, whichever is shorter. 

Note: It usually takes 2-3 weeks before the NSPR will receive your results from CSI.

7
Professional Liability Insurance

Provide the NSPR with a certificate of insurance from an approved insurance provider who meets the criteria as set out in the regulations.

You have two options for insurance:

8
Injection Permit (if applicable)

If applying for an injection permit, submit a completed Drug Administration by Injection Permit Application, along with supporting documentation and fee. A valid NSPR injection permit is required to administer injections in practice.

9
Payment of Applicable Fees

Submit the required registration and licensing fees to proceed with your application.

  • View Fees: Schedule of Fees
  • How to Pay: A payment link will be emailed to you following submission of your application.   
  • Payment Methods: We accept VISA, VISA Debit, MasterCard, and Debit Mastercard.
10
Obtain Licence and Complete Transition Period

If you are successful in your application, you will be issued a Transition Direct Patient Care Licence. This licence/registration entitles you to practice to the full scope of a pharmacist without conditions.

You must submit a completed Transition Direct Patient Care Pharmacist Transition Period Report a minimum of 28 days after the first day of pharmacy practice as a transition direct patient care pharmacist. 

The purpose of this observation period is to ensure that the transition to practice and/or conduct does not raise concern regarding your capacity to safely and ethically engage in pharmacy practice pursuant to the regulations.

As such, the length of time of the transition period will naturally be longer for those who delay the start of their practice after their date of licensure.  

Upon completing the requirements to become a pharmacist in Nova Scotia, the NSPR will provide you with a certificate of registration and licensure that must be displayed in the pharmacy where you practice.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), a community-based organization that welcomes newcomers and offers a full range of support programs along a settlement continuum.

1
Register with the Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada

The Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada  is the first point of access rather than the NSPR. To help applicants navigate the licensure process and facilitate their preparation for licensure in Canada, the Gateway provides a website with key information online and through telephone support and features two self-assessment tools which assist applicants to make an informed decision before starting the process to become licensed as a pharmacist in Canada. For applicants wishing to practise in Canada, the process of obtaining a licence begins with enrolment in the Gateway.

The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) requires all documents to be translated to English prior to submission for Document Evaluation.

To enter the Gateway, click on the icon below:

2
Jurisprudence Exam

Successfully complete the NSPR Jurisprudence Examination.

In order for applicants to register for the JP Exam, the NSPR must receive access to the applicant’s Gateway file in order to confirm that all prerequisite requirements have been met through the Gateway. Once requirements have been confirmed by the NSPR, the next step is to apply to register for one of the scheduled exam sittings. 

For more information please visit our jurisprudence examination page here.

3
Register as an Intern

Register as an intern with the NSPR. Applicants must successfully complete the following within 24 months of registering as an intern:

  • the Structured Practice Experience Program;
  • the Pharmacy Practice Assessment;
  • the PEBC Pharmacist Qualifying Examination (Parts I and II); and
  • registration as a pharmacist.

Download the Application for Registration as a Intern: International Applicant.

4
Structured Practice Experience Program

A payment, detailed in the fee schedule, is required to complete the 20-week structured practice experience (SPE) program as part of the pathway to licensure. The fee must be paid prior to the beginning of the SPE program.

SPE Manuals

Successfully complete the Structured Practice Experience Program. The following are required prior to commencing the Program:

  • demonstration of satisfactory English language proficiency;
  • successful completion of the NSPR Jurisprudence Examination; and
  • registration as an intern.

Please send completed structured practice experience assessments to the Registrations and Licensing Team at registrations@nspharmacy.ca

5
Practice Assessment

Successfully complete a competency-based assessment. Contact the NSPR to arrange for this assessment.

Download the Practice Assessment Manual.

6
PEBC Pharmacist Qualify Examination

Successfully complete the PEBC Pharmacist Qualifying Examination – Part I (MCQ) and Part II (OSCE).

Although this is presented here as Step 6, applicants are eligible to take the PEBC Pharmacist Qualifying Examination at any time after successful completion of the PEBC Evaluating Examination. Upon successful completion of all required parts of the PEBC Pharmacist Qualifying Examination, an individual must initially licence as a pharmacist in Canada within two years.

Visit the PEBC website for more information.

7
Register as a Pharmacist
Application Form
Complete the Application for Registration as a Pharmacist: International Applicant.

Letter of Standing
Provide a letter of standing from all pharmacy regulatory authorities with which you are/have been licensed/registered. Applicants registering through the non-streamlined pathway are required to provide the letter standing requirement as part of their NAPRA Gateway application file, and registration as a pharmacy intern.

Form: Letter of Standing

Proof of Identity
Submit a signed NSPR Identification Verification Form AND

A copy of an approved government-issued photo identification document notarized by a Notary Public in Canada OR certified by pharmacist or pharmacy technician that holds a valid license with the NSPR.

Statement of Disclosure
Submit your Statement of Disclosure Form.

Criminal Record Check
Complete an “Enhanced Police Information Check” (myBackCheck) by visiting www.sterlingtalentsolutions.ca/nspharmacists. This must be conducted within three months of the completed registration process.

Professional Liability Insurance
Provide the NSPR with a letter or certificate from an insurance provider confirming that the professional liability insurance policy meets the criteria as set out in the regulations.

Injection Permit (if applicable)
If applying for an injection permit, submit a completed Drug Administration by Injection Permit Application, along with supporting documentation and fee. A valid NSPR injection permit is required to administer injections in practice.

Payment of Applicable Fees
Submit the required registration and licensing fees to proceed with your application.

View Fees: Schedule of Fees
How to Pay: A payment link will be emailed to you following submission of your application.   
Payment Methods: We accept VISA, VISA Debit, MasterCard, and Debit Mastercard.

Once your application is approved, we will issue your certificate of registration and licence. You must display this certificate in the pharmacy where you practice.

The requirements for resumption of practice are set forth in the regulations and apply to a pharmacist or pharmacy technician who:

  • is currently non-practicing;
  • is currently not practicing direct patient care;
  • has resigned from the register; 
  • has had his or her licence suspended;
  • and who has completed an application in accordance with the regulations in order to resume direct patient care.

Application: Registration as a Pharmacist Resuming Practice
Application: Registration as a Intern: Resumption of Practice

Note: For criminal record checks, applicants must complete an “Enhanced Police Information Check” (myBackCheck) by visiting www.sterlingtalentsolutions.ca/nspharmacists. The record check must be conducted within three months of the completed registration process.

Licensure to practice pharmacy as a pharmacist automatically expires on December 31 and must be renewed each year.

The requirements to renew licensure include maintaining appropriate professional liability insurance, signed declarations, and the submission of the annual renewal form and fees by the renewal deadline of November 30 of each year. Renewing after November 30 incurs a late fee.

If your licensure expires, you must also apply to resume practice and pay additional fees.  

Licensure renewals can be completed through the NSPR Registrant Portal.