Licensing guide · Nova Scotia

How to Become a Podiatrist in Nova Scotia

Last checked 2 sources checkedNOC 31209

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia to work as a podiatrist in Nova Scotia or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
Podiatrist, Podiatric Surgeon, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Pod
Show the source
“All podiatrists practising in Nova Scotia must hold a Podiatrist Licence. Only persons holding a Podiatrist Licence may use the designation ‘Podiatrist’, ‘Podiatric Surgeon’, ‘Doctor of Podiatric Medicine’, ‘Pod’ or any derivation or abbreviation of those designations.”

From cpsns.ns.ca/registrants/podiatrists/policies/podiatrist-licence-req..., checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia

Your roadmap

The steps are not listed yet.

Check the current steps with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Applicants must have graduated from an acceptable Podiatry Degree program and hold all examinations and/or certification required by the approved education program.

    Source
    “All other applicants for a Podiatrist Licence must have graduated from an acceptable Podiatry Degree program and hold all examinations and/or certification required by the approved education program.”
    cpsns.ns.ca/registrants/podiatrists/policies/podiatrist-licence-req...

  • Applicants need a recognized degree from a school listed in Appendix A of the College's policy.

    Source
    “You need a recognized degree from a school listed in Appendix A\* of the College’s policy.”
    cpsns.ns.ca/apply-for-licensure/podiatrists/podiatrist-license

Experience

  • Applicants must complete at least 450 hours of clinical practice in the scope of practice they intend to practise in Nova Scotia within the three years preceding their start date.

    Source
    “Complete at least 450 hours of clinical practice in the scope of practice you intend to practice in Nova Scotia within the three years preceding your start date in Nova Scotia.”
    cpsns.ns.ca/apply-for-licensure/podiatrists/podiatrist-license

Police check

Insurance

Good character

Residency

Other

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
“Candidates who were in practice and members of the Nova Scotia Podiatry Association as of April 1, 2024, are eligible for a Podiatrist Licence, upon completion of a College application.”
cpsns.ns.ca/registrants/podiatrists/policies/podiatrist-licence-req...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia

Exams

  • registration examination administered by the College of Chiropodists of Ontario (COCOO)

    Source
    “If you are a graduate of The Michener Institute of Education in Ontario, you are also required to have a pass standing in the registration examination administered by the College of Chiropodists of Ontario (COCOO).”
    cpsns.ns.ca/apply-for-licensure/podiatrists/podiatrist-license

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 31209, Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating. Wages for 2021 in Canadian dollars a year; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Nova Scotia and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Nova Scotia — — — Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $32,867 $56,800 $123,000 —

Wages in every province and territory

Podiatrists in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 7 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

  • 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 Not confirmed yet
  • Yukon Not confirmed yet
  • Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
  • Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare podiatrist licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Podiatrist licence: requirements and conditions | College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia cpsns.ns.ca/registrants/podiatrists/policies/podiatrist-licence-req... · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Podiatrist license | College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia cpsns.ns.ca/apply-for-licensure/podiatrists/podiatrist-license · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a podiatrist in Nova Scotia?

Yes. Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia is required to practise in Nova Scotia, and to use the title Podiatrist, Podiatric Surgeon or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.

Which exams are required?

registration examination administered by the College of Chiropodists of Ontario (COCOO).

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