Return to Practice
Who This Pathway is For
Physiotherapists who were previously registered in Nova Scotia (or another regulated jurisdiction) and wish to return to practice after a period away.
Currency Requirement
You must have 1,200 practice hours in the past 5 years to be considered current in practice.
Pathway Options
Option 1 – Returning with Currency (1,200+ hours in past 5 years)
If you meet the currency requirement, the process is minimal.
If last registered in Nova Scotia:
- Apply through your NSRPT account.
- Provide updated Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) if last one is over 5 years old.
- Update professional liability insurance details.
- Update declarations.
- Update ID/legal entitlement to work only if previously submitted documents have expired.
- Pay applicable fees.
If last registered in another jurisdiction:
- Apply through NSRPT online portal.
- Provide government-issued photo ID.
- Provide proof of legal entitlement to work in Canada (e.g., Canadian passport, birth certificate, permanent resident card, valid work permit)..
- Provide licence verification from your last regulator confirming active registration within the past 5 years and no unresolved conditions (unless disclosed and reviewed).
- Provide proof of 1,200 hours in the past 5 years (via regulatory verification or employer confirmation).
- Provide updated VSC if last one is over 5 years old.
- Provide proof of professional liability insurance.
- Complete declarations.
- Pay applicable fees.
Download the Checklist for Returning with Currency
Option 2 – Returning without Currency (less than 1,200 hours in past 5 years)
If you do not meet the currency requirement, you must complete a Supervised Practice period with an accompanying Learning Plan before moving to the Practising Register.
If last registered in Nova Scotia:
- Apply through your NSRPT account.
- Provide updated VSC if last one is over 5 years old.
- Provide proof of professional liability insurance.
- Complete declarations.
- Develop and submit an approved learning plan that:
- Begins with a needs analysis.
- Includes supervision by an approved supervisor.
- Incorporates mentorship, formal coursework, and self-directed study.
- May also include practice reviews or other activities as directed by NSRPT.
- Pay applicable fees.
If last registered in another jurisdiction:
- Apply through NSRPT online portal.
- Provide government-issued photo ID.
- Provide proof of legal entitlement to work in Canada.
- Provide licence verification from your last regulator.
- Provide updated VSC if last one is over 5 years old.
- Provide proof of professional liability insurance.
- Complete declarations.
- Develop and submit an approved learning plan that:
- Begins with a needs analysis.
- Includes supervision by an approved supervisor.
- Incorporates mentorship, formal coursework, and self-directed study.
- May also include practice reviews or other activities as directed by NSRPT.
- Pay applicable fees.
Supervised Practice & Learning Plan
- Supervised Practice: You practise under the oversight of an approved supervisor who reports to NSRPT on your progress.
- Learning Plan: A structured program to re-establish your competence to practise safely and effectively. It must include:
- A needs analysis to identify learning gaps.
- Supervision by a qualified physiotherapist in good standing on the Practising Register.
- Mentorship as part of the plan.
- Formal coursework relevant to identified learning needs.
- Self-directed study.
- Any additional components directed by NSRPT (e.g., practice review, competency assessment).
- Requires regular progress reports to NSRPT.
- Successful completion is required before moving to the Practising Register.
