How to Become a Hunting and Fishing Guide in Nova Scotia
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the N.S. Department of Natural Resources to work as a hunting and fishing guide in Nova Scotia or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“It shall be an offence for a non-resident to hunt, take or kill wildlife or attempt to hunt, take or kill wildlife without being supervised by a registered guide or a resident who holds a special permit to guide.”
From novascotia.ca/Just/regulations/regs/wiguide.htm, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
- Not stated by the regulator Check with N.S. Department of Natural Resources
- Annual fees
-
- Registered guide licence fee: $12.48 (for each licence or combination of licences)
Source
“issue a Registered Fishing Guide Licence, a Registered Hunting Guide Licence, a Registered Master Guide Licence, or a combination of two or more of the licences at a fee of $12.48 for each licence or combination of licences”
novascotia.ca/Just/regulations/regs/wiguide.htm
- Registered guide licence fee: $12.48 (for each licence or combination of licences)
Your roadmap
The steps are not listed yet.
Check the current steps with N.S. Department of Natural Resources.
Requirements
Education
Hunting guide applicants must have a Wildlife Resources Card with a hunting certification on it or proof of having taken a recognized Hunter Education course from another jurisdiction.
Source
“1. Must have a Wildlife Resources Card with a hunting certification on it or proof of taken a recognized Hunter Education course from another jurisdiction.”
novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guides.aspMaster Guide applicants must have a Wildlife Resources Card with a hunting certification.
Master Guide applicants must have completed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course.
Master Guide applicants must have a Bow Hunting Certification.
Experience
Master Guide applicants must provide proof of ninety days of actual guiding experience.
Emerit certification candidates need 40 field days of hunting, volunteer or paid outdoor guiding activity over a minimum period of two years.
Source
“The required experience is 40 field days. This can be a combination of hunting in the field, volunteer or paid outdoor guiding activity over a minimum period of two years.”
novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guidecertification.asp
Residency
A special permit to guide may only be issued to a resident nineteen years of age and over who is certified to hunt with a firearm or bow.
Source
“A resident nineteen years of age and over may apply for a special permit to guide if the person is certified to hunt with a firearm or bow under the *Hunter Education, Safety and Training Regulations* made under the Act.”
novascotia.ca/Just/regulations/regs/wiguide.htm
Other
Hunting guide applicants must hold Emergency First Aid and Basic CPR.
Fishing guide applicants must hold Emergency First Aid and Basic CPR.
Master Guide applicants must hold Emergency First Aid and Basic CPR.
Master Guide applicants must provide a letter of recommendation from a Master Guide or Outfitter.
Source
“6. Letter of recommendation from a Master Guide or Outfitter”
novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guides.aspEach Emerit candidate must have a current certificate for Standard First Aid/Basic CPR, a Federal Possession and Acquisition Licence and a Nova Scotia Wildlife Resources Card with a hunting certification on it (HQ or HT).
Source
“Each candidate must have a current certificate for Standard First Aid/Basic CPR, Federal Possession and Acquisition Licence and a Nova Scotia Wildlife Resources Card with a hunting certification on it (HQ or HT).”
novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guidecertification.aspA person 16 years of age and over may apply for a registered guide licence if they have successfully passed the prescribed competency test.
Source
“A person 16 years of age and over may apply for a registered guide licence provided that the person has successfully passed a competency test as prescribed by the Minister.”
novascotia.ca/Just/regulations/regs/wiguide.htmGuide licence applicants must possess a valid Nova Scotia Wildlife Resources Card with a Guide Certification appropriate to the licence being requested.
Source
“Persons applying for a Guide Licence must possess a valid Nova Scotia Wildlife Resources Card (WRC) with a Guide Certification appropriate to the licence being requested (GF, GH, GQ, GT or GM).”
novascotia.ca/sns/paal/dnr/paal103.aspLicensed guides must hold current and valid Emergency First Aid and Basic CPR certifications while engaged in guiding activities.
Source
“It is the responsibility of all licenced Registered Guides to ensure that you hold current and valid Emergency First Aid and Basic CPR certifications while engaged in guiding activities.”
novascotia.ca/sns/paal/dnr/paal103.asp
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state how someone already licensed in another Canadian province or territory can register in Nova Scotia. Source
“Must have a Wildlife Resources Card with a hunting certification on it or proof of taken a recognized Hunter Education course from another jurisdiction.”
novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guides.asp
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with N.S. Department of Natural Resources
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with N.S. Department of Natural Resources
Exams
-
Written test (knowledge examination)
Source
“The knowledge examination has 125 multiple choice questions based on the Hunting Guide National Occupational Standards.”
novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guidecertification.asp -
Practical hunting test
Source
“Pass a practical hunting test and written examination administered by the Examination Board; or Successful completion of a practical test and the National Hunting Guide Certification test.”
novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guides.asp -
Written examination (hunting guide)
Source
“Pass a practical hunting test and written examination administered by the Examination Board; or Successful completion of a practical test and the National Hunting Guide Certification test.”
novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guides.asp -
National Hunting Guide Certification test
Source
“Pass a practical hunting test and written examination administered by the Examination Board; or Successful completion of a practical test and the National Hunting Guide Certification test.”
novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guides.asp -
Practical fishing test
Source
“Pass a practical fishing test and written examination administered by the Guide Examination Board.”
novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guides.asp -
Written examination (fishing guide)
Source
“Pass a practical fishing test and written examination administered by the Guide Examination Board.”
novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guides.asp -
Written examination (Master Guide)
Source
“7. Pass a written examination administered by the Guide Examination Board.”
novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guides.asp -
Competency test
Source
“The competency test may be taken by the applicant orally or in writing.”
novascotia.ca/Just/regulations/regs/wiguide.htm
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with N.S. Department of Natural Resources
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with N.S. Department of Natural Resources
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with N.S. Department of Natural Resources
Demand and pay
No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.
Huntings and fishing guides in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Guide Regulations - Wildlife Act (Nova Scotia) novascotia.ca/Just/regulations/regs/wiguide.htm · fetched October 11, 2026
- Guides/Special Permit to Guide | novascotia.ca novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guides.asp · fetched October 11, 2026
- Guide Training Requirements | novascotia.ca novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/guidecertification.asp · fetched October 11, 2026
- Nova Scotia Permits Directory-Department of Natural Resources-Guide Licence novascotia.ca/sns/paal/dnr/paal103.asp · fetched October 11, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a hunting and fishing guide in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Registration with the N.S. Department of Natural Resources is required to practise in Nova Scotia.
Which exams are required?
Written test (knowledge examination), Practical hunting test, Written examination (hunting guide), National Hunting Guide Certification test, Practical fishing test, Written examination (fishing guide), Written examination (Master Guide), Competency test.
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