How to Become an Early Childhood Educator in Nova Scotia
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to work as an early childhood educator in Nova Scotia or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“According to Regulation 37 of the Early Learning and Child Care Regulations, facility staff working directly with children must complete Orientation Training or post-secondary courses in early childhood education that are comparable to Orientation training, no later than 6 months after their employment date.”
From childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/future-educators/training, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 4 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
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If you are a recent graduate, your educational institution sends the regulator your name, email address, program name and graduation date to confirm you completed the ECE program.
Source
“Your institution will send us your name, email address, name of the program you completed and your graduation date.”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classification -
After the regulator receives your information from the institution, it emails you an invitation to apply for a Classification Level.
Source
“Once we receive your information from the institution, we will email you an invitation to apply for a Classification Level. Check your junk mailbox for our email.”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classification -
Complete the ECE Classification Application Form.
Source
“Complete the ECE Classification Application Form”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classification -
Email the completed application form to the regulator's support email address.
-
If you are not a recent graduate, ask your training institution to send an official transcript directly to the regulator, since copies not sent by the institution are not accepted.
Source
“Contact your training institution and request that an official transcript be sent directly: 1. to [email protected] through MyCreds®, or 2. via email to [email protected] We cannot accept a copy of the transcript that does not come directly from the institution.”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classification
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
Complete the ECE Classification Application Form.
Source
“Complete the ECE Classification Application Form”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classification -
Email the completed application form to the regulator's support email address.
-
Provide a copy of your certification to work in another Canadian jurisdiction along with a release of information form, if applicable.
Source
“Provide us with a copy of your certification to work in another Canadian jurisdiction along with a release of information form, if applicable.”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classification
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
-
Complete the ECE Classification Application Form.
Source
“Complete the ECE Classification Application Form”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classification -
Email the completed application form to the regulator's email address.
-
Arrange for your educational institution to send an official transcript directly to the regulator.
Source
“Arrange for an official transcript to be sent directly to us from your educational institution.”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classification -
If granted pre-approval, provide proof of your Canadian address before your registration number and certificate are issued.
Source
“If eligible, you will be granted a pre-approval for classification, however, you will be required to provide proof of your Canadian address before your registration number and certificate are issued.”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classification
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
For a Level 1 classification you must have completed three post-secondary early childhood education courses in child development, behaviour guidance and curriculum planning, plus 250 hours of supervised practicum in regulated early childhood settings.
Source
“The requirements include completion of three post-secondary early childhood education courses focused on children ages birth to 12 years, in the following subject areas: 1. Child Development 2. Behaviour Guidance 3. Curriculum Planning for Young Children and; 4. 250 hours of supervised practicum in regulated early childhood settings that provides opportunities to practice and demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained through the courses.”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classification
Experience
Staff currently working in licensed child care with at least 6,500 hours of experience who successfully complete the RPL process are eligible for a Level 2 classification.
Source
“Staff currently working in licensed child care with at least 6,500 hours of experience who successfully complete the RPL process are eligible for a Level 2 classification.”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/training-pd
Residency
Internationally educated applicants will not be issued a classification registration number or certificate until they are residing in Canada.
Source
“You can begin the application process before you arrive in Canada, however, you will not be issued a classification registration number or certificate until you are residing in Canada.”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classificationTo register for Orientation training, individuals must be residents of Nova Scotia.
Source
“To be eligible to register for Orientation training, individuals must: 1. Be a resident of Nova Scotia.”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/future-educators/training
Other
To maintain your classification level you must complete 30 hours of professional development every three years from the date your initial classification was granted.
Source
“As a regulatory requirement, to maintain your Classification Level you are required to complete 30 hours of professional development every three years from the date your initial classification was granted.”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/pd-requirements
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Applicants certified in good standing in certain listed Canadian jurisdictions can apply for a Nova Scotia classification without submitting official transcripts for review. Source
“You have the option to apply for a classification in Nova Scotia without having to submit official transcripts for review, if: 1. your certification is in good standing, and 2. you have been issued certification to work in licensed child care in one of the following Canadian jurisdictions:”
childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classification
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Exams
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $21.49 | $28.21 | Very good (5 of 5) |
| Canada | $16.95 | $22.30 | $30.03 | — |
Early childhood educators in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- ECE Training Pathways | Early Learning and Child Care - NS Department of Education & Early Childhood Development childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/future-educators/training · fetched October 10, 2026
- Upgrade & Maintain your ECE Classification | Early Learning and Child Care - NS Department of Education & Early Childhood Development childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/classification · fetched October 10, 2026
- Post-secondary Education & Training | Early Learning and Child Care - NS Department of Education & Early Childhood Development childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/training-pd · fetched October 10, 2026
- Professional Development Requirements | Early Learning and Child Care - NS Department of Education & Early Childhood Development childcarenovascotia.ca/educators/current-educators/pd-requirements · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as an early childhood educator in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Registration with the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is required to practise in Nova Scotia.
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