Taking a Leave or Leaving Practice
Are you taking parental or sick leave, retiring, changing careers, or moving out of Nova Scotia?
If you will not be practising dietetics or using the protected titles “dietitian” or “nutritionist” in Nova Scotia, you have two options: maintain your practising licence or surrender it.
NSRD does not have a non-practising roster or a part-time licence. If you want to remain licensed while taking a leave or not actively practising, you must maintain your practising licence and continue to meet its requirements.
If you will not be practising within the dietetic scope of practice or using the title “dietitian” or “nutritionist” in Nova Scotia for any reason, you have two options.
Option 1: Maintain Your Licence
If you maintain your licence while on leave or not actively practising, you must continue to meet all applicable requirements, including:
- Maintaining the required professional liability insurance
- Completing Continuing Competency Program (CCP) requirements
- Meeting the Currency of Practice Requirement of at least 500 hours of dietetic practice in the previous three years
- Renewing your licence and paying the annual licensing fee by the required deadline
If you do not want to maintain these requirements while away from practice, you may choose to surrender your licence.
Option 2: Surrender Your Licence
If you surrender your licence, you will no longer be licensed with NSRD. You must not practise dietetics or use the protected titles “dietitian” or “nutritionist,” or their abbreviations, in Nova Scotia unless and until you are licensed again.
You will not be required to complete CCP requirements while your licence is surrendered. If you later wish to return to practice in Nova Scotia, you must apply for re-licensure and receive approval from NSRD before practising.
To surrender your licence, email registration@nsrd.ca and include:
- A clear statement that you wish to surrender your licence
- The date you want the surrender to take effect
- A general reason for surrendering (e.g., taking a leave, retiring, changing professions, or leaving Nova Scotia)
Considering letting your insurance lapse? Before making changes to your coverage, check with your insurer about whether you need an extended reporting period (ERP). An ERP may be important if you have a claims-made policy and will no longer maintain your coverage.
If you are applying for registration with another regulatory body, you may need to provide verification of your registration with NSRD. Submit a request through the Registrant Portal. NSRD will complete the Verification of Registration Form and send it directly to the regulatory body. A fee applies.
Returning to Practice
To return to practice in Nova Scotia after surrendering your licence, you must apply for re-licensure. Requirements generally include:
- Completing the online re-licensure application through your NSRD profile
- Providing evidence of professional liability insurance
- Arranging verification of registration from each regulatory body with which you currently hold or have previously held registration, if applicable
- Meeting the Currency of Practice Requirement of at least 500 hours of dietetic practice in the previous three years
- Ensuring a valid Vulnerable Sector Check is on file with NSRD
- Paying the applicable application and licensure fees
You do not need to resubmit documentation that NSRD already has on file, such as transcripts, practicum completion letters, or CDRE results, unless updated documentation is required.
For details, see the Re-licensure page.
Currency of Practice Requirement
To maintain or obtain a practising licence, you must meet the Currency of Practice Requirement of at least 500 hours of dietetic practice in the previous three years, subject to the applicable policy requirements.
See the Currency of Practice Requirement policy for details.
