Registration & Licensing
All chiropractors and naturopaths must be registered and licensed with NSCNR to legally practice and use the professional protected titles within Nova Scotia.
The Regulator’s registration and licensure process protects the public by ensuring that all individuals seeking to practice chiropractic or naturopathy, meet basic requirements of knowledge, skill, and ethics. The basic requirements for registration and licensure are set out in legislation, regulations, NSCNR Bylaws, and NSCNR Registration Policies.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to prove to the Regulator that they can provide safe, competent, and ethical care to the public. To do this, the applicant must:
- Submit an online application form and pay applicable fees.
- Provide supporting documents that confirm their identity, education, professional history, and conduct
The following are categories of application for registration and licensure. The required application fee and supporting documents may be different for each category. All fees are non-refundable.
| Application Category | Description | Application Fee | Jurisprudence Exam Fee |
| Canadian Educated New Graduate | I am a graduate of a recognized Canadian chiropractic or naturopathic education program and am not currently licensed elsewhere in Canada | $200.00 | $150.00 |
| Internationally educated or licensed | I completed my chiropractic / naturopathic education outside of Canada and have not been licensed elsewhere in Canada | $200.00 | $150.00 |
| Currently Licensed in another Canadian Jurisdiction | I am currently licensed in another Canadian jurisdiction and want to apply for licensure under the Patient Access to Care ACT (NS) and Canadian Free Trade Agreement, Labour Mobility | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| RE-Entry to Practice | I was previously licensed in good standing with the NSCNR or the former Nova Scotia College of Chiropractors and wish to be relicensed. | $200.00 | Fee is dependent upon if practitioner falls within Patient Access to Care ACT (NS), Canadian Free Trade Agreement, and/or other relevant Labour Mobility guidelines. |
| Reinstatement | Applicants whose license in Nova Scotia was suspended or revoked as a result of a disciplinary proceeding. | $500.00 | $150.00 |
All applications will be closed if all required documentation has not been received by the Registrar within 60 days of the initial application date. If an applicant requires an extension beyond 60 days, it must be requested in writing to the Registrar.
Registration Decisions
Applicants will be notified in writing of the registration decision within five (5) business days following NSCNR’s receipt of all required documentation and confirmation that the application is complete, which may include successful completion of the Jurisprudence Examination.
Please see the relevant licensing application section for more details. In general, a registration decision may reflect two possible outcomes:
- Registration is granted – the applicant has met the requirements for registration and is eligible to become a practicing registrant of the NSCNR. The applicant’s registration may be subject to terms, conditions, or restrictions as permitted by law and/or NSCNR Regulations.
- Registration is not granted – the applicant does not currently meet the requirements for registration and is not eligible to become a practicing registrant at this time. The applicant may be eligible to become registered at a later time, after fulfilling certain requirements or addressing gaps in their training and/or skills.
A NOTE OF CAUTION:
Applicants should not presume to be granted registration. NSCRN discourages all applicants from establishing a position of financial responsibility before they receive full registration to practice chiropractic or naturopathy in the province of Nova Scotia.
Appeals Process for Registration Decisions of the NSCNR
If the applicant wishes to appeal a declined application, they may submit a written request to refer their application to the Registration and Licensing Review Committee in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act of Nova Scotia.
The applicant must submit the written request with an original signature to appeal a registration decision via registered mail, courier, or personal delivery to the NSCNR office. The applicant’s request for an appeal should clearly outline the basis for the review. The Registration and Licensing Review Committee will conduct the review within 60 days of the receipt of application records to the Committee.
2026 Licensing Fees
Please note, fees are prorated based on effective date of licensure.
As applicable under Canadian Free Trade and Labour Mobility and the NS Patient Access to Care Act, license dues will not be charged to applicants currently licensed in another Canadian jurisdiction (for the current year only). Legal levy’s will still apply.
All fees are non-refundable.
| License Classification | License Dues | Legal Levy | Total Fee |
| Direct Patient Care Practicing – Chiropractor | $1510.00 | 150.00 | $1660.00 |
| Direct Patient Care Practicing – Naturopathic Dr. | $1510.00 | $1400.00 | $2910.00 |
| Direct Patient Care Practicing – Chiropractor New Grad | $755.00 | $75.00 | $830.00 |
| Direct Patient Care Practicing – Naturopathic Dr. New Grad | $755.00 | $700.00 | $1455.00 |
| Indirect Patient Care Practicing – Chiropractor | $1510.00 | $150.00 | $1660.00 |
| Indirect Patient Care Practicing – Naturopathic Dr | $1510.00 | $1400.00 | $2910.00 |
| Conditional Licenses | |||
| Provisional Direct Patient Care – Chiro New Grad | $755.00 | $75.00 | $830.00 |
| Provisional Direct Patient Care – ND New Grad | $755.00 | $700.00 | $1455.00 |
Access to Records Requests
NSCNR will provide an applicant with access to records held that are related to the applicant’s application for licensing.
- Requests for access to an applicant’s records must be submitted in writing to the Registrar by email to: registrar@nscnr.ca
- Requests for access to an applicant’s records must be made by the applicant him/herself.
- Applicants who have submitted after June 1, 2023 may obtain a copy of their application by logging into their registrant profile on the regulator portal.
Once registered in Nova Scotia, registrants are required to practice in accordance with all legislation, regulations, standards of practice, code of ethics and within individual professional competencies.