Returning to Practice

Who This Pathway Is For

This pathway is for physiotherapists who were previously registered in Nova Scotia (or another regulated jurisdiction) and want to return to practice after time away.

Currency Requirement

To be considered current, you must have 1,200 practice hours in the past 5 years.

Pathway Options

Option 1 – Returning with Currency (1,200+ hours in the past 5 years)

If you meet the currency requirement, the process is shorter.

If you were last registered in Nova Scotia, you must:

• Apply through your NSRPT account.
• Provide an updated Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) if your last one is more than 5 years old.
• Update your professional liability insurance information.
• Update your declarations.
• Update your ID and proof you can work in Canada only if your documents have expired.
• Pay the applicable fees.

If you were last registered in another jurisdiction, you must:

• Apply through the NSRPT online portal.
• Provide government-issued photo ID.
• Provide proof that you are legally allowed to work in Canada.
• Provide licence verification from your last regulator that confirms:
  • you were registered within the past 5 years, and
  • you have no unresolved conditions (unless you have disclosed them to NSRPT for review).
• Provide proof of 1,200 hours in the past 5 years (through regulator verification or employer confirmation).
• Provide an updated VSC if your last one is more than 5 years old.
• Provide proof of professional liability insurance.
• Complete declarations.
• Pay the applicable fees.

Download the Checklist for Returning with Currency

Option 2 – Returning without Currency (less than 1,200 hours in the past 5 years)

If you do not meet the currency requirement, you must complete Supervised Practice and an approved Learning Plan before moving to the Practising Register.

If you were last registered in Nova Scotia, you must:

• Apply through your NSRPT account.
• Provide an updated VSC if your last one is more than 5 years old.
• Provide proof of professional liability insurance.
• Complete declarations.
• Develop and submit an approved learning plan (details below).
• Pay the applicable fees.

If you were last registered in another jurisdiction, you must:

• Apply through the NSRPT online portal.
• Provide government-issued photo ID.
• Provide proof that you are legally allowed to work in Canada.
• Provide licence verification from your last regulator.
• Provide an updated VSC if your last one is more than 5 years old.
• Provide proof of professional liability insurance.
• Complete declarations.
• Develop and submit an approved learning plan (details below).
• Pay the applicable fees.

Supervised Practice and Learning Plan:

• Supervised Practice: You practise under an approved supervisor. The supervisor reports to NSRPT on your progress.
• Learning Plan: A plan to help you return to safe practice. It must include:
  • a needs analysis to identify learning gaps,
  • supervision by an approved supervisor (a physiotherapist in good standing on the Practising Register),
  • formal coursework related to your learning needs,
  • self-directed study, and
  • any additional activities NSRPT requires (for example, a practice review or competency assessment).
• You must submit progress reports to NSRPT.
• You must complete supervised practice and your learning plan before moving to the Practising Register.

Download the Checklist for Returning without Currency

Fees

See the Fee Schedule for current rates.