Registration and Renewal

Registration

In the province of Nova Scotia, you must be registered with the Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia in order to practice midwifery or use the title “midwife”.

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Initial Registration Checklist

  • Proof of Canadian citizenship, or proof of permanent resident status
  • Proof of authorization for employment in Canada
  • Schedule 1:  for applicants with previous other names
  • Schedule 2:  Clinical Experience by Practice Site, and Hospital Privileges/Employment
  • Hold individual practice insurance with HIROC
    (Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada – hiroc.com)

Download Checklist

  • Copy of each degree, diploma or certificate relating to midwifery education (CMRE Results – if applicable)
  • Copy of registration for each midwifery registration outside of Canada
  • Copy of registration for each professional registration other than midwifery, from every jurisdiction where you are or have been registered
  • Competency Assessment and/or Bridging Program results sent directly to Registrar
  • Consent and forms submitted to request Letter of Professional Conduct from each Canadian regulatory body where you are or have been registered
  • Copy of current certification in Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP)
  • Copy of current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • Copy of current certification in Emergency Skills in Obstetrics (ESW)
  • Copy of current certification in Fetal Health Surveillance (FHS)
  • Provide proof of successful completion of approved UBC CPD course in Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives

Approved Programs

Approved Program means a Canadian Midwifery Education Program (MEP) has been approved by the Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia.

View List of Approved MEPs

Routes to Midwifery Registration
in Nova Scotia

New Graduate from an approved Canadian Midwifery Education Program

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For Registration under this route, an applicant must:

  • Provide proof of successful completion of Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam (CMRE)
  • Provide original documentation of graduation, including transcripts
  • Provide proof of successful completion of approved UBC CPD course in Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives
  • Provide Proof of Current Certification in:
    • CPR (within 2 years)
    • ESW (within 2 years)
    • FHS (within 3 years)
    • NRP (valid within 1 year)
  • Provide a current criminal record with vulnerable sector check (within 6 months)
Coming from another Canadian Jurisdiction

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LABOUR MOBILITY

In 2017, the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) replaced the Agreement on Internal Trade (“AIT”). Regarding Labour Mobility, the CFTA website explains:

“Labour Mobility provisions of the CFTA (Chapter 7) state that certified workers have to be recognized as qualified to work by a regulatory body in another province or territory which regulates that occupation, without having to go through significant additional training, work experience, examination or assessment, unless an exception has been posted.”

Accordingly, a midwife who is registered and in good standing with another Canadian midwifery regulator can apply for registration in Nova Scotia.

For Registration under this route, an applicant must:

  • Request a Letter of Professional Standing from all jurisdictions where the applicant is or has been registered in Canada
  • Provide proof of successful completion of approved UBC CPD course in Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives*
    *If you do not have this certificate you will be issued a conditional license and granted eight (8) weeks to successfully complete and submit your certificate to the MRCNS Registrar.
  • Provide Proof of Current Certification in:
    • CPR (within 2 years)
    • ESW (within 2 years)
    • FHS (within 3 years)
    • NRP (valid within 1 year)
  • Provide a current criminal record with vulnerable sector check (within 6 months)
  • Provide proof of individual practice insurance with HIROC
    (Insurance | Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada – hiroc.com)
International Midwives

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Internationally trained midwives can apply for registration and become members of the Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia after (1) having completed an approved bridging program and a competency assessment, and (2) have proof of work eligibility in Canada. The Council has approved the following programs:

University of British Columbia:
Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program (IEMBP)

College of Midwives of Alberta:
Prior Learning and Experience Assessment Program (PLEA)

Ordre des Sage-Femmes du Québec:
Formation d’appoint pour les sages-femmes formées à l’étranger

College of Midwives of Ontario:
Orientation and Assessment Program (New)

For more information on becoming a midwife in Canada, click here.

Immigration Services and Organizations

Please see the following resources which are available to support international Midwives:

List of Approved Programs

Canadian Midwifery Education Programs (MEP)

One of the routes for registration in Nova Scotia is through the completion of a baccalaureate level degree in midwifery. A graduate is also required to complete the Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination (CMRE) offered through the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council.

Canadian baccalaureate midwifery degrees are currently offered at the following universities:

McMaster University
Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning & Discovery
(MDCL) Third Fl.,
3103-1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5

T: 905-525-9140 Ext. 26654
View website

This program is offered in English only

Mount Royal University
4825 Mount Royal Gate SW
Calgary, Alberta T3E 6K6

T: 403-440-5000
F: 403-440-7252
TOLL FREE: 1-877-440-5001
View website

Toronto Metropolitan University
Midwifery Education Program
288 Church Street
Room DCC-676
Toronto, Ontario

T: 416-979-5104
F: 416-979-5271
View website

This program offers part-time studies in English only

Université du Québec à Trois Rivières
3351, boulevard des Forges
Trois-Rivières, Quebec

T: 819-376-5011
View website

This program is in French

University of British Columbia
2329 West Mall
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6T 1Z4

T: 604-822-2211
View website

For any of one of these programs to be considered complete, a candidate must successfully complete a recommended clinical placement.

Licence Renewal

Registered Midwives must renew their registration each year.

ANNUAL LICENCE RENEWAL DEADLINE:   March 1

Annual Licence Renewal Late Fees (including late QAP reports)
  • $50  Between March 2nd and April 1st
  • $150 After April 1st
Active Practising Clinical Licence

Active Practising Clinical Midwives must ensure they have current certification in Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Fetal Health Surveillance (FHS), Emergency Skills in Obstetrics (ESW) and Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives. They must also maintain a certain level of practice to ensure their skills are current.

Renew your Clinical Licence

Active Practising Non-Clinical Licence

The practice of midwifery as defined in section 2 (i) of the Midwifery Act includes the non-clinical activities of research, education, consultation, management, administration, regulation, policy or system development related to midwifery.

Renew your Non-Clinical Licence

 

Fees

You will soon be able to pay by credit card after completing the applications for registration or renewal when applying online (Coming Feb 1, 2024).

Currently, you have the option to pay by electronic funds transfer (EFT), certified cheque, money order, or personal cheque (NSF fees apply).

If you are paying by EFT you may submit your payment to:

info@mrcns.ca

If you are paying by certified cheque, money order, or personal cheque (NSF fees apply) you may submit your payment by mail to:

The Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia
300-120 Western Parkway
Bedford, Nova Scotia
B4B 0V2

After you have completed the application, uploaded the application documents to the secure portal, and payment has been received, you will receive an email confirmation that you will be licensed by the Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia. You will also be provided with a receipt. You should save your receipt as your fees are income tax deductible.

 

Registration and Licensure Fee

Upon receiving a successful application from and applicant MRCNS will issue an receipt for their Registration & Licensure fee, this fee is non-refundable and the receipt can be retained for tax purposes.

 

Annual Licence Renewal Fee

The annual licence renewal fee amount is dependent on your licence type and is due by March 1st. Please refer to the Fees Schedule for details.

 

Annual Licence Renewal Late Fee
Late fees are applied if your renewal (including late QAP reports) is received after March 1.
$50  Between March 2nd and April 1st
$150 After April 1st

To practice midwifery in Nova Scotia and use the title ‘Midwife”, a person must be registered with the Council.

Register Now

Registration

To practice midwifery in Nova Scotia and use the title "Midwife" or "Registered Midwife", a person must be registered with MRCNS.

Educate

In Nova Scotia, midwives are required to complete a baccalaureate level degree in midwifery, as well as the Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination (CMRE).

Practice and Continuing Competence

In Nova Scotia, Registered Midwives must have core competencies met as well as continuing competence in order to practice.

Quality Assurance

When a client chooses a midwife, they must be confident they are working with a healthcare professional who is competent, ethical and skilled.

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