How to Become a Midwife in Nova Scotia
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator to work as a midwife in Nova Scotia or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“All licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs), and registered midwives (RMs) who practise in Nova Scotia are registrants of the Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator.”
From nsnmr.ca/explore-nsnmr/who-we-are/what-we-do/licence-nurses-and-mid..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- Licensed in another province: 5 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 4 steps
- Annual fees
-
- Practising Licence: $500
- Conditional Licence: $500
- Conditional Licence for Non-Clinical Practice: $250 (for non-clinical practice)
Source
“Conditional Licence for Non-Clinical Practice | 250.00”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments - Conditional Licence (3 months or less): $150 (for a conditional licence of 3 months or less)
Source
“Conditional Licence (3 months or less) | 150.00”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments
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
- Annual fees: $1,000
-
You must provide proof that you successfully passed the Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam.
Source
“Provide proof of successful completion of Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam (CMRE)”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat... -
You must provide original documentation of your graduation, including transcripts.
Source
“Provide original documentation of graduation, including transcripts”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat... -
You must provide proof of successful completion of the approved UBC CPD course in Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives.
Source
“Provide proof of successful completion of approved UBC CPD course in Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat... -
You must provide proof of current certification in CPR, ESW, FHS and NRP within the stated validity periods.
Source
“Provide Proof of Current Certification in: - CPR (within 2 years) - ESW (within 2 years) - FHS (within 3 years) - NRP (valid within 1 year)”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat... -
You must provide a current criminal record check with vulnerable sector search completed within the last six months.
Source
“Provide a current criminal record with vulnerable sector check (within 6 months)”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $1,000 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total. 2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total.
- Practising Licence: $500
- Conditional Licence: $500
- Conditional Licence for Non-Clinical Practice: $250 (for non-clinical practice)
Source
“Conditional Licence for Non-Clinical Practice | 250.00”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments - Conditional Licence (3 months or less): $150 (for a conditional licence of 3 months or less)
Source
“Conditional Licence (3 months or less) | 150.00”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments
Licensed in another province
0 of 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $1,000
-
You must request a Letter of Professional Standing from every Canadian jurisdiction where you are or have been registered.
Source
“Request a Letter of Professional Standing from all jurisdictions where the applicant is or has been registered in Canada”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat... -
You must provide proof of successful completion of the approved UBC CPD course in Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives, or you will be issued a conditional licence and given eight weeks to complete and submit the certificate.
Source
“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 NSNMR Registrar.*”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat... -
You must provide proof of current certification in CPR, ESW, FHS and NRP within the stated validity periods.
Source
“Provide Proof of Current Certification in: - CPR (within 2 years) - ESW (within 2 years) - FHS (within 3 years) - NRP (valid within 1 year)”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat... -
You must provide a current criminal record check with vulnerable sector search completed within the last six months.
Source
“Provide a current criminal record with vulnerable sector check (within 6 months)”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat... -
You must provide proof of individual practice insurance with HIROC.
Source
“Provide proof of individual practice insurance with HIROC”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $1,000 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total. 2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total.
- Practising Licence: $500
- Conditional Licence: $500
- Conditional Licence for Non-Clinical Practice: $250 (for non-clinical practice)
Source
“Conditional Licence for Non-Clinical Practice | 250.00”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments - Conditional Licence (3 months or less): $150 (for a conditional licence of 3 months or less)
Source
“Conditional Licence (3 months or less) | 150.00”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments
Trained outside Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $1,000
-
You must complete an approved bridging program and a competency assessment (CMRE).
Source
“completing an approved bridging program and a competency assessment (CMRE),”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat... -
You must provide proof of your credentials and midwifery experience.
Source
“providing proof of credentials and midwifery experience, and”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat... -
You must be able to work legally in Canada.
Source
“are able to work legally in Canada.”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat... -
At the time of registration you must meet all the registration requirements in the checklist.
Source
“At the time of registration you will need to meet all the registration requirements”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $1,000 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total. 2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total.
- Practising Licence: $500
- Conditional Licence: $500
- Conditional Licence for Non-Clinical Practice: $250 (for non-clinical practice)
Source
“Conditional Licence for Non-Clinical Practice | 250.00”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments - Conditional Licence (3 months or less): $150 (for a conditional licence of 3 months or less)
Source
“Conditional Licence (3 months or less) | 150.00”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Application for Assessment for Midwifery Registration: $50 (new applicant, initial registration only)
Source
“Application for Assessment for Midwifery Registration | Base Fee | | --- | --- | | New Applicant - Initial registration only | 50.00 |”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments - Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam Fee: $750
Source
“Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam Fee | 750.00”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments - Late Renewal (including late QAP) Between March 2 and April 1: $50 (late renewal between March 2 and April 1)
Source
“Late Renewal (including late QAP) Between March 2 and April 1 | 50.00 |”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments - Late Renewal (including late QAP) After April 1: $150 (late renewal after April 1)
Source
“Late Renewal (including late QAP) After April 1 | 150.00”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments - Non-sufficient Funds (rejected or failed payments): $40 (for rejected or failed payments)
Source
“Non-sufficient Funds (rejected or failed payments) | 40.00”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments
Requirements
Education
Applicants must provide a copy of each degree, diploma or certificate relating to midwifery education, including CMRE results if applicable.
Source
“Copy of each degree, diploma or certificate relating to midwifery education (CMRE Results – if applicable)”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...Applicants must provide proof of successful completion of the approved UBC CPD course in Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives.
Source
“Provide proof of successful completion of approved UBC CPD course in Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...
Experience
Applicants seeking licensure for clinical midwifery practice must have 1125 hours or attendance at 40 births in the clinical practice of midwifery in the 5 years immediately before their application, or 450 hours or attendance at 12 births in the year before their application and meet approved competency requirements.
Source
“Applicants seeking licensure for clinical midwifery practice must have: 1125 hours or attendance at 40 births in the clinical practice of midwifery in the 5 years immediately before their application for registration; or 450 hours or attendance at 12 births in the clinical practice of midwifery in the year before their application for registration and meet competency requirements approved by the Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator (NSNMR).”
nsnmr.ca/professional-practice/practice-support/practice-support-to...
Police check
New graduate applicants must provide a current criminal record with vulnerable sector check completed within the last six months.
Source
“Provide a current criminal record with vulnerable sector check (within 6 months)”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...
Insurance
Applicants must hold individual practice insurance with HIROC.
Source
“Hold individual practice insurance with HIROC”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...
Good character
Applicants must consent to and submit forms requesting a Letter of Professional Conduct from each Canadian regulatory body where they are or have been registered.
Source
“Consent and forms submitted to request Letter of Professional Conduct from each Canadian regulatory body where you are or have been registered”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...
Residency
Applicants must provide proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.
Source
“Proof of Canadian citizenship, or proof of permanent resident status”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...
Other
Applicants must provide proof of authorization for employment in Canada.
Source
“Proof of authorization for employment in Canada”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...Applicants must provide a copy of registration for each midwifery registration held outside of Canada.
Source
“Copy of registration for each midwifery registration outside of Canada”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...Applicants must provide a copy of each professional registration other than midwifery from every jurisdiction where they are or have been registered.
Source
“Copy of registration for each professional registration other than midwifery, from every jurisdiction where you are or have been registered”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...Applicants must have competency assessment and/or bridging program results sent directly to the Registrar.
Source
“Competency Assessment and/or Bridging Program results sent directly to Registrar”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...Applicants must provide current certification in Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP).
Source
“Copy of current certification in Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP)”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...Applicants must provide current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Source
“Copy of current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...Applicants must provide current certification in Emergency Skills in Obstetrics (ESW).
Source
“Copy of current certification in Emergency Skills in Obstetrics (ESW)”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...Applicants must provide current certification in Fetal Health Surveillance (FHS).
Source
“Copy of current certification in Fetal Health Surveillance (FHS)”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages list requirements for applicants from another Canadian jurisdiction but do not state whether they can register based on their current licence without retaking the entry-to-practice exam or a competence assessment. Source
“Applicants from another Canadian Jurisdiction For Registration under this route, an applicant must:”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator
Exams
-
Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam (CMRE)
Source
“Provide proof of successful completion of Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam (CMRE)”
nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | $34.24 | $46.11 | $58.81 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $24.09 | $46.81 | $60.26 | — |
Midwives in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Licence required
Sources checked
- Licence Nurses and Midwives | Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator nsnmr.ca/explore-nsnmr/who-we-are/what-we-do/licence-nurses-and-mid... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Pathways to Midwifery Registration | Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/licensure-requirements-midwives/pat... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Midwifery Q&A Resource (September Information Webinar) | Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator nsnmr.ca/professional-practice/practice-support/practice-support-to... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Fees and Payments | Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/fees-and-payments · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a midwife in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Registration with Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator is required to practise in Nova Scotia.
Which exams are required?
Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam (CMRE).
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