How to Become a Mortgage Broker in Nova Scotia
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with Business Licensing Section, Service Nova Scotia (Government of Nova Scotia) to work as a mortgage broker in Nova Scotia or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Mortgage Broker
Show the source
“By law, you must have a Mortgage Broker Licence if you’re employed by a mortgage brokerage to act as an intermediary between a borrower and lender for a mortgage in Nova Scotia.”
From novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 6 steps, listed one-time fees $300
- Licensed in another province: 4 steps, listed one-time fees $300
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Business Licensing Section, Service Nova Scotia (Government of Nova Scotia)
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 6 done
- Listed one-time fees: $300
- 5 steps without a listed fee
-
You complete the Regulatory Information Program.
Source
“you complete the Regulatory Information Program (PDF)”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals -
You complete the Nova Scotia Mortgage Broker Education Program unless you are exempt.
Source
“you complete the Nova Scotia Mortgage Broker Education Program, unless you’re exempt”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals -
You get a criminal record check no more than 3 months before you apply.
Source
“you have a criminal record check no more than 3 months before you apply”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals -
You have held an Associate Mortgage Broker Licence for at least 12 of the 24 months immediately before applying, unless you are exempt.
Source
“you have held an Associate Mortgage Broker Licence for at least 12 of the 24 months immediately before applying, unless you’re exempt”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals -
The principal broker applies for the licence on your behalf.
- Licence: $300
Source
“The principal broker needs to apply for the licence on your behalf.”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals -
The Business Licensing Section notifies your employer when the licence is issued.
Source
“The Business Licensing Section notifies your employer when the licence is issued.”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $300
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $300 | 100% |
| One-time total | $300 | 100% |
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 4 done
- Listed one-time fees: $300
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
You complete the Regulatory Information Program.
Source
“you complete the Regulatory Information Program (PDF)”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals -
You get a criminal record check no more than 3 months before you apply.
Source
“you have a criminal record check no more than 3 months before you apply”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals -
The principal broker applies for the licence on your behalf.
- Licence: $300
Source
“The principal broker needs to apply for the licence on your behalf.”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals -
The Business Licensing Section notifies your employer when the licence is issued.
Source
“The Business Licensing Section notifies your employer when the licence is issued.”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $300
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $300 | 100% |
| One-time total | $300 | 100% |
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group.
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.
- Mortgage Brokerage Licence: $600
- Mortgage Broker Licence: $300
Requirements
Education
You must complete the Nova Scotia Mortgage Broker Education Program, unless you are exempt.
Source
“you complete the Nova Scotia Mortgage Broker Education Program, unless you’re exempt”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals
Experience
You must have held an Associate Mortgage Broker Licence for at least 12 of the 24 months immediately before applying, unless you are exempt.
Source
“you have held an Associate Mortgage Broker Licence for at least 12 of the 24 months immediately before applying, unless you’re exempt”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals
Police check
You must have a criminal record check no more than 3 months before you apply.
Source
“you have a criminal record check no more than 3 months before you apply”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals
Residency
You must be a Canadian resident.
Other
You need to be 19 or older to apply.
You must provide confirmation to the principal broker that you have read and understand the Mortgage Regulation Act and regulations and agree to follow all requirements.
Source
“you provide confirmation to the principal broker that you have read and understand the Mortgage Regulation Act and regulations and agree to follow all requirements”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individualsYour employer must have a Mortgage Brokerage Licence.
Source
“Your employer needs to have a Mortgage Brokerage Licence.”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
If you are currently licensed as a mortgage broker (or equivalent) in a recognized province, you are exempt from completing the Nova Scotia Mortgage Broker Education Program and from having held an Associate Mortgage Broker Licence for at least 12 of the 24 months immediately before applying. Source
“If you’re currently licensed as a mortgage broker (or equivalent) in a recognized province, you’re exempt from completing the Nova Scotia Mortgage Broker Education Program. You’re also exempt from having held an Associate Mortgage Broker Licence for at least 12 of the 24 months immediately before applying.”
novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Business Licensing Section, Service Nova Scotia (Government of Nova Scotia)
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Business Licensing Section, Service Nova Scotia (Government of Nova Scotia)
Exams
Not stated by the regulator Check with Business Licensing Section, Service Nova Scotia (Government of Nova Scotia)
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Business Licensing Section, Service Nova Scotia (Government of Nova Scotia)
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Business Licensing Section, Service Nova Scotia (Government of Nova Scotia)
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Business Licensing Section, Service Nova Scotia (Government of Nova Scotia)
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | $22.86 | $34.08 | $58.16 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $24.04 | $38.46 | $66.67 | — |
Mortgage brokers 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 Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Mortgage Broker Licence (for individuals) - Government of Nova Scotia novascotia.ca/mortgage-broker-licence-individuals · fetched October 10, 2026
- Mortgage Brokerage Licence - Government of Nova Scotia novascotia.ca/mortgage-brokerage-licence · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as a mortgage broker in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Registration with Business Licensing Section, Service Nova Scotia (Government of Nova Scotia) is required to practise in Nova Scotia, and to use the title Mortgage Broker.
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