Already or Previously Licensed in Another Province - Dental Assisting

Applications for registration and licensing are submitted through an online form.

Once your completed application has been received, we will arrange a licensing meeting and issue your licence within 5 business days.  The exception would be if the contents of the application require the Registrar to investigate further or obtain additional information.  An application is complete when all required documents have been submitted as outlined below and in the Checklist available at the bottom of this page.  If you need any clarification on the required documents please contact our office.

Your first step will be to create a profile within our system. To do this, you will need to follow the link below which will bring you to our “Login” window. There you will have to click on “Sign up” to start the process of creating your profile.

Once your profile is created, you can log in and you will see an area to apply for a licence. You will see an “Apply” button which you can click to begin your application. You will need to upload your supporting documents within the online application. You will be able to save your application and continue later if you find that you are missing documents or required information.

If you encounter technical difficulties, please email us at reception@nsrdda.ca. We will reply to assist within 2-3 business days.

To get started with your application process, click this link.

In order to be registered and licensed to practice dentistry in Nova Scotia, you will be required to upload the following documents within your online application:

1. A passport-style photo taken with the previous 12 months
2. An applicant must provide a certified photocopyof their Canadian birth certificate, Canadian citizenship card, or proof of permanent Canadian residency status.

If an applicant is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, the applicant must provide details about their current citizenship status and a certified copy of the authorization issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada which permits them to engage in the practice of dentistry in Canada.

3. Verification of  professional liability insurance (PLI) as set out in the Standard of Practice for Dental Assisting  
4. A Vulnerable Sector Search and a Criminal Record Check (Performed within the previous 12 months)
5. Two written character references from non-family members who have known you for the past four years – The reference letters must:

• be signed,
• be dated,
• indicate how long the person has known you, and
• have been written within the past 12 months.

8.  Verification of your certification in BLS obtained within the past 12 months (must be an in-person hands-on course from a recognized provider)
9.  A copy of your National Dental Assistants Examining Board (NDAEB) certificate

If you do not yet have an NDAEB certificate, you will be issued a Conditional Licence and you will have one year from your date of licensure to successfully complete the NDAEB exam and submit a copy of your certificate to the PDBNS. If you do not submit a copy of your NDAEB certificate within one year, your name will be struck from the dental assistants’ register and your employer will be notified.

Dental assistants with a conditional license are permitted to perform all the duties in the scope of practice for dental assistants.

10. Translation of documents (if applicable)

NOTE: You must request that a Certificate of standing be sent directly to our office from every jurisdiction where you are currently licensed.

If you are not currently licensed, you must:

• request that a Certificate of Standing be sent directly to our office from the last jurisdiction where you were licensed, and
• provide a letter from your last employer verifying currency of practice (defined as having practised intraoral dental assisting skills within the preceding 5 years).

An applicant who has not met the currency of practice requirement will be required to pass the Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE) administered by the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB).

Individuals who do not already have an NDAEB certificate will be required to pass the Written Exam prior to registration for the CPE.

When you submit your application, you will be sent an email asking you to pay a non-refundable application fee of $65, through our online portal, after which time your application will be reviewed. (This fee will be waived if you are currently licensed as a dental assistant elsewhere in Canada in compliance with the Nova Scotia Patient Access to Care Act.

Once your application has been approved, you will be required to pay the following fee(s):

• $324annual license fee (May 1 – April 30)

Note that the license fee is reduced to $162 if licensing after October 31.

• $65 initial registration fee (This fee will be waived if you are currently licensed as a dental assistant elsewhere in Canada in compliance with the Nova Scotia Patient Access to Care Act.

Also, please note the following:

• If you do not have all your documentation on hand, you may begin your online application, save it, and return to the application at a later time.
• If you are currently or have previously been licensed in another jurisdiction, you must request that a Certificate of Standing be sent directly to our office from each of those jurisdictions. 
• Applications will be deleted from our system if not completed within 3 months. After that time, applicants will be required to restart their application process.
• By submitting an application, you consent to the Registrar or PDBNS staff obtaining clarification of documents as deemed necessary.
• Information on certifying documents can be found on our website at this link.

Licensing Process

The application and supporting documentation are reviewed by Registrar.

Our office will contact the applicant to schedule an appointment to meet with the Registrar to discuss their application.

In circumstances where the Registrar needs to obtain additional information, the registration process will require additional time to complete.

Applicants cannot begin to practise without a licence.

Successful applicants who meet all of the licensing requirements will be entered into the Dental Assistants’ Register and issued a licence.

Applicants who have been declined licensure may appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Registration and Licensing Review. Details on the process and timelines can be found at this link