I took a hiatus from nursing practice and I am now considering reactivating my licence and applying for a nursing job. How can I meet currency of practice in order to be eligible for licensure?
If you are either an LPN or RN, you must meet one or more of the following currency of practice options to be eligible for registration and/or licensure in Nova Scotia:
- Current licensure in another Canadian jurisdiction in the same designation you are applying for (This option is only available when you apply for registration and an initial practising licence with NSCN.)
- Practice no later than three licensing years prior to your application
- Practice a minimum of 320 hours of practice no later than five licensing years prior to your application
- Passed the registration exam no later than three licensing years prior to your application
- Successfully completed a re-entry program, bridging education, or entry-level nursing program, no later than five licensing years prior to your application
- Successfully completed a competence assessment and bridging education no later than five licensing years prior to your application
*LPN and RN applicants who do not meet any of the above currency options but have practised within the last 10 licensing years may be eligible for a conditional licence with conditions and restrictions.
*LPN and RN applicants who do not meet any of the above currency options and have not practised in the last 10 licensing years are not eligible for a conditional licence and must successfully pass the require registration exam to qualify for a practicing licence. If you passed the registration exam more than three years ago and have not practiced in the last 10 licensing years, you will be required to successfully complete a competence assessment and bridging education or a nursing re-entry program.
To learn more about this requirement, including how to re-establish currency of practice, click here.
If you are an NP, you must meet one of the following currency of practice options to be eligible for licensure in Nova Scotia:
- Current licensure as an NP in another Canadian jurisdiction
- Practice as an NP in the past three licensing years
- Passed the NP exam in the past three licensing years
NPs who do not meet any of the above currency options will be referred to the Registration and Licensing Committee.
How do I know if my nursing practice hours worked prior to my hiatus are sufficient to allow me to reactivate my licence?
For nursing practice hours to count, you must have held a nursing licence when you worked these hours. Only hours accumulated in a role that requires nursing knowledge, education, and meets the legal definition of nursing services can be counted towards your nursing practice hours. The Nursing Practice Hours Assessment Tool will assist you in determining if you can count your practice hours as nursing practice or if you need additional clarity from NSCN on your individual role.
For additional information on currency of practice, see the following resources:
If you have any questions regarding the licence reactivation process, please contact registration@nscn.ca. For further information on anything contained within this practice support tool, please contact an NSCN Practice Consultant at practice@nscn.ca.
