Registration Requirements
 

All Psychologists in Nova Scotia must be registered with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology. Professional practice in psychology is limited to those who are so registered.

Degrees in Psychology Acceptable to the Board

As per the Psychologists Act (2000), applicants for registration as psychologists are required to show they have obtained a master’s, doctoral or equivalent degree in psychology that is acceptable to the Board from an educational institution approved the Board.

The applicant’s training must include adequate background in the foundational areas of psychological theory and supervised practicum, internship, field or laboratory training appropriate to psychology.

Potential applicants with questions about their program should consult the checklist below about acceptable degrees. 

Acceptable programs must include the following:

The majority of the faculty as psychologists.

Practica and/or internship directly supervised by psychologists

Required an undergraduate degree in psychology (or equivalent coursework) in order to gain admission. To be clear: The requirement is not met by an applicant possessing an undergraduate degree (or equivalent coursework) in psychology, this criterion must be an admission requirement of the program.

Coursework titles/descriptions with clear psychological terminology/abbreviations such as the words “psychology”, “psychological” “psych”.

Residency: Programs that are primarily based on-line are not acceptable to the Board. The program must include at least one year of continuous residency, in addition to any internship or practica.

To be clear residency is defined as: “physical presence, in person, at an educational institution or training facility in a manner that facilitates acculturation in the profession, the full participation and integration of the individual in the educational, and training experience and includes faculty student interaction. Training models that rely exclusively on physical presence for periods of less than one continuous year (e.g. multiple long weekends and/or summer intensive sessions), or that use video teleconferencing or other electronic means as a substitute for any part of the minimum requirement for physical presence at the institution do not meet this definition of residency.”

Please note: This checklist is meant to provide initial guidance but the full registration criteria should be reviewed by clicking here.

The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) provides some very helpful information about navigating your way through the registration process.  You can obtain this information by clicking here.

Courtesy Register

POLICY STATEMENT: NSBEP extends temporary registration to colleagues from other jurisdictions as a courtesy. Psychologists registered and in good standing in other jurisdictions may apply for temporary registration in Nova Scotia. Temporary registration is available to psychologists: (a) once per calendar year (b) for a maximum of 40 working days or 300 practice hours. All placements on the Courtesy Registrar must be approved by the Registrar.

PROCEDURE:

1.      For placement on the Courtesy Register, a Psychologist from another jurisdiction must provide:

(1)   proof of registration/licensure and good standing in their home jurisdiction*

(2)   proof there are no outstanding complaints against them*

(3)   proof there are no conditions on their registration / licensure*

*Click here for a form to complete steps 1-3.  This form must be completed by the applicant's home jurisdiction.

(4)  a list of the dates they will be working in Nova Scotia, the employer and nature of their work. Psychologists requesting courtesy registration for 40 days or 300 practice hours, who are unable to provide a list of all dates in advance, are issued a certificate stating an expiry date of 40 working days from the date of issue.

2.      Psychologists wishing to practice for a period greater than 21 days must pay a $200.00 registration fee.   Psychologists approved for 21 days or less may request additional days up to a total of 40 days in one calendar year, provided they pay the $200.00 registration fee.   

3.   Calculation of the number of practice days involved  shall be based on direct client contact as well as all hours related to the direct client contact such as the analysis/interpretation of the data, written and spoken communications regarding the case, and report preparation time.

4.      The Registrar on reviewing the information provided may:

(1)   approve the placement 

(2)   request additional information or

(3)   refuse the placement.

5.    The Registrar or Assistant to the Registrar informs the psychologist of the decision.

6.    Psychologists approved for a period of greater than 21 days are issued an official letter containing the Board seal which confirms their Courtesy Registration Status.

7.   Psychologists approved for a period of 21 days may also request an official letter confirming their Courtesy Registration status. This will be provided following payment of a $15.00 processing fee.

 

 
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