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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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
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For Registration under this route, an applicant must:
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.
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.
Please see the following resources which are available to support international Midwives:
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.
Registered Midwives must renew their registration each year.
ANNUAL LICENCE RENEWAL DEADLINE: March 1
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Additional policies for accommodation and special consideration the Council may factor into the application and renewal process.
Whether you are registering for the first time or renewing your licence, you can download all our forms related to your application here, but we would prefer if you create an account and complete the application and payment processes online.
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To practice midwifery in Nova Scotia and use the title "Midwife" or "Registered Midwife", a person must be registered with MRCNS.
In Nova Scotia, midwives are required to complete a baccalaureate level degree in midwifery, as well as the Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination (CMRE).
In Nova Scotia, Registered Midwives must have core competencies met as well as continuing competence in order to practice.
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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Midwives must be licensed by the Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia. The Registrar of the Council issues licences in the following classes:
Subclasses within the active-practicing licence class:
In accordance with the Regulations Respecting Midwifery and the policies of the Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia, midwives must hold an active-practicing (clinical) licence to engage in the clinical practice of midwifery. Midwives who are not engaged in clinical practice but work in the fields of research, education, consultation, management, administration, regulation, policy or system development relating to the practice of midwifery, as defined in the Midwifery Act, may hold an active-practising (non-clinical) licence.
Criteria for entry in the active practicing roster (clinical and non-clinical) are:
Personal contact information is used by the Council for direct contact with members, and is not released to the general public. The Council does maintain a public roster that includes all practice and professional information on each member.
It is important that you keep the Council informed of any changes to your contact information so that we may contact you regarding your application and registration.
In order to be eligible for registration you must be either a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or authorized under the Immigration Act (Canada) to engage in open employment in Canada. You must submit proof of your citizenship, residency or employment authorization along with your application.
In this section, you must list all current and previous professional registration including international registrations, registrations in other Canadian provinces or territories, and registrations in other regulated health professions. Midwives who are or have been registered in other Canadian provinces or territories will need to arrange for letters of professional conduct to be delivered to the Registrar directly from the regulatory body. You will need to sign a consent form to release this information, and complete the request form as required by your regulatory body. For those registered in other jurisdictions or professions copies of your registration certificates or other proof of registration must be attached to your application.
Registered midwives in Nova Scotia must hold a baccalaureate degree from a Canadian university midwifery education program; or have educational qualifications equivalent to this degree.
Please list all of your midwifery education as indicated, and include notarized copies of all degrees, diplomas and certificates earned in these programs. If you are applying for registration as a midwife for the first time since graduating, please attach one original Record of Clinical Experience and arrange for your university to send an official transcript directly to the Registrar.
Registered midwives in Nova Scotia must also complete the Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination (CMRE). Please arrange for the exam results to be sent to the MRCNS.
According to the Regulations, criteria for an active-practicing (clinical) licence are: At least the following practice hours or experience:
The clinical practice of midwifery is defined in the Regulations as the provision of antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and newborn care as a primary care provider. In accordance with the definition of midwifery practice in the Act, midwives may practise either within or outside of a hospital setting.
In accordance with the requirements of the Act, the Regulations and the policies of the Council, midwives who do not fully meet clinical experience requirements may be issued a provisional licence.
Please answer all questions pertaining to your midwifery experience. Please complete and attach Schedule 2 to assist the Registrar in determining and verifying your clinical experience. You will also need to provide three references. At least one of your referees should be able to verify your clinical practice experience.
If you have successfully completed a competency assessment and /or bridging program approved by the Council, you may be eligible for registration. Based on the results of the assessment, the Registrar may issue an active-practicing (clinical) licence or a provisional licence.
Please make arrangements to have your final report sent from the assessment program directly to the Registrar, if this has not already been done on your behalf.
The Council requires that all registrants in the active-practicing (clinical) class be certified in:
Certified instructors of these courses will meet these requirements, provided they have taught at least one course within the time frame required for currency.
Midwives are also required to successfully complete Opioids and Benzodiazapines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives offered through UBC Continuing Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine.
Please attach proof of current certification or instructor status in these continuing competencies.
Questions in this section refer to all previous experience, including experience in another profession or experience that occurred outside of Nova Scotia, or outside of Canada. All questions must be answered “yes” or “no”. For every “yes” answer, you must provide a detailed explanation on an additional sheet of paper attached to the application.
You must ensure that this section is signed and witnessed properly. The witness must be over 18 years of age. The witness is attesting to the fact that they witnessed you signing the form, therefore they must sign at the same time that you do.
A current criminal record check must be requested for your current name, as well as for all previous names by which you have been known. Criminal records checks must be dated within 6 months of their submission to the Registrar.
An original certificate with the regulator’s seal or a notarized copy may be submitted, otherwise, you may obtain one in person or on-line.
Criminal Record Checks for residents of Halifax, Bedford and Dartmouth:
You may apply in person, from Monday to Friday, at:
You must present two pieces of identification with your current address. The address must be within Halifax, Dartmouth or Bedford. Accepted identification: Nova Scotia Driver’s License or Nova Scotia ID Card and one other of: health card, birth certificate, passport, or social insurance number. The Criminal Record check costs $30 and takes approximately 10 days to process.
Important: You must submit the Criminal Record Check to Registrar in its original sealed envelope.
Criminal Record Check on-line:
A Criminal Record Check can be requested online at https://www.mybackcheck.com These online requests take only a few minutes and results are delivered to applicants electronically in less than 24 hours. The fee is $30. These certificates include a serial number. Applicants may e-mail the PDF version of the certificate to the Registrar or notify the Registrar of the serial number on the certificate.
Local Police Departments or RCMP detachments:
Criminal records checks can also be obtained through local police departments or RCMP detachments for the same fee. The results of these checks usually arrive within two weeks. Checks obtained from local police/RCMP must be provided to the Registrar in the original sealed envelope.
You must submit a minimum of three letters of reference from professionals or organizations with whom you have worked as a midwife. At least one of these referees should be able to verify your clinical experience as set out in your application. These three references must be provided by two of the following types of referees:
The enclosed forms should be completed and returned by the referee to the Registrar as follows:
Before submitting your application to the Midwifery Regulatory Council, please ensure that all items on this checklist are complete.