How to Register for the NCLEX in Nova Scotia (NSNMR): Steps, Fees, Documents

To work as an RN in Nova Scotia you license with the Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator (NSNMR), which replaced the Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) on June 30, 2026. You apply online (CA$57 for a Canadian graduate), pay NSNMR's exam administration fee and Pearson VUE's exam fee, and NSNMR releases your result within two weeks. A conditional licence lets you work as 'RN pending' in four-month periods for up to 12 months.

At a glance

The steps, in order (graduates of a Nova Scotia program)

8 steps

Create your portal account and applySign up on the NSNMR portal, choose RN and pay the application fee (CA$57 including HST for a Canadian graduate, 2025-26). You can apply in your last semester; nothing is processed until your school confirms you are eligible to graduate.NSNMR: new graduate educated in Nova Scotia →
Upload two proof-of-name documentsPhotocopies of two documents such as a birth certificate, passport, driver's licence or permanent resident card. Everything must be in English or come with a certified translation.
Submit a criminal record check issued in the last six monthsOrder it online through CSI or My Backcheck so the agency sends it directly to NSNMR, or bring the original from police or RCMP. A Vulnerable Sector Check is accepted if your employer wants one.NSNMR: criminal record check →
Review the Jurisprudence Resource Guide and sign the declarationSince March 25, 2026 every new graduate reviews the guide and submits the Jurisprudence Declaration of Completion form online.Jurisprudence declaration form →
Your school confirms program completion; NSNMR processes in five business daysGraduates of programs outside Nova Scotia have their school send the Confirmation of Program Completion form. Once every document is in, processing takes up to five business days.Confirmation of Program Completion form (PDF) →
Pay NSNMR's exam fee and register with Pearson VUEYou apply and pay to both: NSNMR's exam administration fee (CA$142.50 for a first writing, CA$71.25 for each later one) and Pearson VUE's CA$360 + tax. Pearson VUE will not give you a date until NSNMR confirms you completed your program; then the Authorization to Test email arrives, valid 90 days.NSNMR: NCLEX-RN exam →
Optional: conditional licence to start workPay CA$124.26 (CA$41 licence + CA$68 CNPS + HST) for a four-month conditional licence; you sign as 'RN pending'. Conditions: a comprehensive orientation, access to a nurse mentor, never the only regulated provider or the nurse in charge. It can be re-issued (and paid for again) up to 12 months from the date your school confirmed graduation, but not after three failed attempts; after a third fail you must stop working at once.NSNMR: conditional registration and licensing →
Write, get your result from NSNMR, then pay for the practising licenceResults go to NSNMR only; it releases them to you within two weeks of the exam with instructions. There is no limit on attempts, with 45 days between them. After the pass, buy the practising licence before the conditional one expires: CA$565.50 for the year November 1 to October 31, or CA$240.18 if you license between July 1 and October 31 (both include CA$68 CNPS and HST). Test centres: Halifax (Mumford Road and Lacewood Drive) and Sydney.NSNMR: fees and payments →

If you were educated outside Canada

The exam is the same; the path to being allowed to write it is longer. These are the extra steps.

7 steps

Check you qualify before payingYou must be currently licensed and in good standing as an RN where you trained, have completed an entry-level general nursing program, and have nursed in the last five years. Specialty-trained (psychiatric, paediatric, learning-disability) nurses and anyone without recent practice must email registration@nsnmr.ca first. Application fees are not refunded.NSNMR: international applicants →
Apply in the portal yourself and pay CA$570The international application fee is CA$500 + CA$70 HST. Applications completed by an agent or third party are rejected. Files with a Nova Scotia job offer or a likely immigration pathway are processed first, then applicants living in Nova Scotia, in Canada, and abroad.NSNMR registrant portal →
Have your regulator send the Verification of RegistrationYour nursing regulator sends NSNMR the VOR form showing current registration, good standing and completion of an entry-level program. If the VOR cannot show the education, NSNMR asks for an Educational Credential Assessment or access to your NNAS advisory report.NSNMR: Verification of Registration request →
Prove EnglishCELBAN (writing 7, speaking 8, listening 9, reading 8), IELTS Academic (overall 7; writing 6.5, speaking 7, listening 7, reading 6.5), OET (writing C+, speaking B, listening B, reading C+) or PTE Academic (writing 68, speaking 75, listening 73, reading 66), within two years. Registration where health care is delivered in English, a nursing program taught in English, or an employer confirmation from the last 24 months can count instead.NSNMR: English language proficiency →
Criminal record check from every place you have nursed, jurisprudence, declarationsA check issued in the last six months from your country (country-wide where nursing is regulated nationally, as in the Philippines), truthful health and conduct declarations, and the Jurisprudence Resource Guide declaration.NSNMR: criminal record check →
Write the NCLEX-RN once NSNMR approves youAfter the approval letter, apply and pay to both NSNMR (CA$142.50 first writing) and Pearson VUE (CA$360 + tax, plus CA$150 outside Canada). NSNMR releases the result within two weeks. A pass already achieved with another NCLEX-RN regulator is accepted. The expedited pathway for seven designated countries has been paused for new applicants since January 20, 2025.NSNMR: NCLEX-RN exam →
Conditional licence while you prepare, then the practising licenceQualifying international nurses may hold a conditional licence (CA$124.26 per four months, up to 12 months from the approval letter, not after three fails) with the newly-licensed conditions. After the pass, pay for the practising licence (CA$565.50 a year).NSNMR: conditional registration and licensing →

Documents to have ready

Fees

How long it takes

Questions people ask about Nova Scotia

How do I register for the NCLEX in Nova Scotia?

Create an account on the Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator (NSNMR) portal, apply as an RN (CA$57 for a Canadian graduate), upload two proof-of-name documents and a criminal record check from the last six months, sign the jurisprudence declaration and have your school confirm completion. Then pay NSNMR's CA$142.50 exam administration fee and register with Pearson VUE (CA$360 + tax). Pearson VUE issues the Authorization to Test only after NSNMR confirms your program.

How much does it cost to become an RN in Nova Scotia?

For a Canadian graduate in 2025-26: CA$57 application, CA$142.50 NSNMR exam administration, CA$360 + tax to Pearson VUE, optionally CA$124.26 per four-month conditional licence, and CA$565.50 for the annual licence (CA$240.18 from July 1), with CNPS liability protection included. International nurses pay CA$570 to apply.

Can I work in Nova Scotia before I pass the NCLEX-RN?

Yes, on a conditional licence as 'RN pending' once your school confirms graduation. It lasts four months, can be re-issued up to 12 months from that date, and requires a comprehensive orientation and a nurse mentor; you cannot be the only regulated provider or in charge. After a third failed attempt you must stop working immediately.

Is NSCN the same as NSNMR?

Yes. On June 30, 2026 the Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) and the Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia became the Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator (NSNMR). Old nscn.ca links redirect to nsnmr.ca and the portal moved to nsnmr.alinityapp.com.

How long does NSNMR take to release NCLEX-RN results?

Results go to NSNMR only, and it releases them to you by email within two weeks of your exam date, with instructions for licensing (pass) or a performance report and next steps (fail).

Which English tests does NSNMR accept?

CELBAN (writing 7, speaking 8, listening 9, reading 8), IELTS Academic (overall 7; writing 6.5, speaking 7, listening 7, reading 6.5), OET (writing C+, speaking B, listening B, reading C+) and PTE Academic (writing 68, speaking 75, listening 73, reading 66), all within two years. Registration or nursing education where care is delivered in English, or an employer confirmation from the last 24 months, can meet the requirement instead.

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on NSNMR's and NCSBN's own pages on October 7, 2026; when a detail matters to you, confirm it there:

This guide explains the process; it is not legal or immigration advice. Decisions about your eligibility are made by Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator.

Application, Canadian graduate or nurse licensed in CanadaCA$50 + HST; non-refundable	CA$57
Application, international nurseCA$500 + HST; non-refundable	CA$570
NSNMR NCLEX-RN administration, first writingCA$125 + HST; subsequent writings CA$71.25	CA$142.50
NCLEX-RN exam fee (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. CA$570 + tax from Feb 1, 2027.	CA$360 + tax
Conditional licence (4 months)CA$41 + CA$68 CNPS + HST; paid again for each re-issue	CA$124.26
Annual RN licence (Nov 1 to Oct 31)CA$428.05 + CA$68 CNPS + HST	CA$565.50
Prorated RN licence (Jul 1 to Oct 31)CA$142.68 + CA$68 CNPS + HST	CA$240.18
Reactivation / late renewalonly if the licence lapses	CA$57

How to register for the NCLEX in Nova Scotia