How to Become a Registered Music Teacher in Nova Scotia
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association to work as a registered music teacher in Nova Scotia or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Registered Music Teacher, R.M.T.
Show the source
“Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association”
From novascotia.ca/lae/fair-registration-practices/regulatory-bodies.asp, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 2 steps
- Annual fees
-
- Registered Music Teacher (RMT) fee: $160 (for Registered Music Teacher members)
- Affiliate fee: $150 (for Affiliate members (not RMT))
- Auxiliary fee: $85 (for Auxiliary members (not RMT))
- Halifax Chapter Dues: $35 (for Halifax Chapter members)
- Valley Chapter Dues: $20 (for Valley Chapter members)
- Mandatory liability insurance: $60 (included in RMT and Affiliate fees; waived if you already have liability insurance)
Source
“*RMT and Affiliate fees include the $60 mandatory liability insurance. If you already have liability insurance, please contact the registrar at [email protected] to have the fee waived.”
nsrmta.ca/join-us
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $160 (for Registered Music Teacher members), $150 (for Affiliate members (not RMT)), $85 (for Auxiliary members (not RMT)), $35 (for Halifax Chapter members), $20 (for Valley Chapter members), $60 (included in RMT and Affiliate fees; waived if you already have liability insurance)
-
You fill out the online membership form or download and complete the application form.
Source
“If you are interested in joining the NSRMTA please fill out our online form (link below) or you may also download and complete our application form”
nsrmta.ca/join-us -
You email the application form along with your supporting documents to the registrar.
Source
“and email it along with your supporting documents to our Registrar at the following email address: [email protected]”
nsrmta.ca/join-us -
You pay the mandatory new member fee and the membership dues by e-transfer or cheque.
Source
“Membership payments can be made via e-transfer to [email protected] or can be mailed via cheque to Gillian Ezekiel”
nsrmta.ca/join-us
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Registered Music Teacher (RMT) fee: $160 (for Registered Music Teacher members)
- Affiliate fee: $150 (for Affiliate members (not RMT))
- Auxiliary fee: $85 (for Auxiliary members (not RMT))
- Halifax Chapter Dues: $35 (for Halifax Chapter members)
- Valley Chapter Dues: $20 (for Valley Chapter members)
- Mandatory liability insurance: $60 (included in RMT and Affiliate fees; waived if you already have liability insurance)
Source
“*RMT and Affiliate fees include the $60 mandatory liability insurance. If you already have liability insurance, please contact the registrar at [email protected] to have the fee waived.”
nsrmta.ca/join-us
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $160 (for Registered Music Teacher members), $150 (for Affiliate members (not RMT)), $85 (for Auxiliary members (not RMT)), $35 (for Halifax Chapter members), $20 (for Valley Chapter members), $60 (included in RMT and Affiliate fees; waived if you already have liability insurance)
-
If you are a CFMTA member in another province or territory, you email the registrar to set up a transfer.
Source
“Are you a CFMTA Member in another province or territory? Email our Registrar at [email protected] to set up a transfer!”
nsrmta.ca/join-us -
You present a Transfer of Membership Form as a member in good standing of another province's association.
Source
“is a member in good standing of a Registered Music Teachers’ Association of a Province, other than Nova Scotia, who presents a Transfer of Membership Form”
nsrmta.ca/join-us
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Registered Music Teacher (RMT) fee: $160 (for Registered Music Teacher members)
- Affiliate fee: $150 (for Affiliate members (not RMT))
- Auxiliary fee: $85 (for Auxiliary members (not RMT))
- Halifax Chapter Dues: $35 (for Halifax Chapter members)
- Valley Chapter Dues: $20 (for Valley Chapter members)
- Mandatory liability insurance: $60 (included in RMT and Affiliate fees; waived if you already have liability insurance)
Source
“*RMT and Affiliate fees include the $60 mandatory liability insurance. If you already have liability insurance, please contact the registrar at [email protected] to have the fee waived.”
nsrmta.ca/join-us
Trained outside Canada
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $160 (for Registered Music Teacher members), $150 (for Affiliate members (not RMT)), $85 (for Auxiliary members (not RMT)), $35 (for Halifax Chapter members), $20 (for Valley Chapter members), $60 (included in RMT and Affiliate fees; waived if you already have liability insurance)
-
You submit documentation and credentials from recognized institutions outside of Canada, which may be accepted the same way as Canadian credentials.
Source
“Documentation and credentials from recognized institutions outside of Canada will be received and potentially accepted in the same manner as Canadian credentials.”
nsrmta.ca/join-us -
If needed, your unique circumstances are assessed individually by the Internal Review Committee on a case by case basis.
Source
“Unique circumstances will be assessed individually (if needed) by NSRMTA's Internal Review Committee on a case by case basis.”
nsrmta.ca/join-us
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Registered Music Teacher (RMT) fee: $160 (for Registered Music Teacher members)
- Affiliate fee: $150 (for Affiliate members (not RMT))
- Auxiliary fee: $85 (for Auxiliary members (not RMT))
- Halifax Chapter Dues: $35 (for Halifax Chapter members)
- Valley Chapter Dues: $20 (for Valley Chapter members)
- Mandatory liability insurance: $60 (included in RMT and Affiliate fees; waived if you already have liability insurance)
Source
“*RMT and Affiliate fees include the $60 mandatory liability insurance. If you already have liability insurance, please contact the registrar at [email protected] to have the fee waived.”
nsrmta.ca/join-us
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.
- New Member & Reinstated Member Fee (Mandatory): $20 (mandatory for new and reinstated members)
Source
“New Member & Reinstated Member Fee (Mandatory) $20.00”
nsrmta.ca/nsrmta-new-membership-registration-form - Request for Registration Records fee: $25 (for applicants requesting access to their registration records after documentation has been submitted)
Source
“After documentation has been submitted, applicants may apply to the Registrar for access to their registration records. There will be a $25 fee for this service.”
nsrmta.ca/join-us
Requirements
Education
The applicant must pass recognition of certification with music degrees or diplomas equivalent to a teaching/performing associate or licentiate from a School of Music, Conservatory, or University.
Source
“3. passes recognition of certification (music degrees or diplomas equivalent to that of a teaching/performing associate or licentiate from any School of Music, Conservatory, or University); or”
nsrmta.ca/join-usThe applicant must submit copies of degrees and diplomas.
Experience
The applicant must have been teaching in a professional capacity for at least two years.
Source
“2. has been teaching in a professional capacity for at least two years; and”
nsrmta.ca/join-us
Police check
The applicant must provide a copy of a recent police check from within the last three months.
Source
“4. A copy of a recent police check (within the last three months)”
nsrmta.ca/nsrmta-new-membership-registration-form
Other
The applicant must be over eighteen years of age.
The applicant must provide two letters of recommendation from recognized industry professionals.
Source
“3. Two letters of recommendation from recognized industry professionals”
nsrmta.ca/nsrmta-new-membership-registration-formIf you do not have two references from Canadian RMTs, you should contact the association to discuss alternatives such as former professors, teachers or examiners.
Source
“If you do not currently have two references from Canadian RMTs, please contact us to discuss alternatives. Options may include former professors/teachers/examiners.”
nsrmta.ca/join-us
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
A member in good standing of a Registered Music Teachers' Association in another province or territory can register by presenting a Transfer of Membership Form and emailing the registrar to set up the transfer. Source
“is a member in good standing of a Registered Music Teachers’ Association of a Province, other than Nova Scotia, who presents a Transfer of Membership Form; or”
nsrmta.ca/join-us
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association
Exams
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association
Demand and pay
No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.
Registered music teachers in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Title protected
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Title protected
- 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
- Fair Registration Practices - Regulatory Bodies | novascotia.ca novascotia.ca/lae/fair-registration-practices/regulatory-bodies.asp · fetched October 9, 2026
- Join Us | Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association | Nova Scotia nsrmta.ca/join-us · fetched October 9, 2026
- NSRMTA New Membership Registration Form | Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers nsrmta.ca/nsrmta-new-membership-registration-form · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as a registered music teacher in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Registration with the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association is required to practise in Nova Scotia, and to use the title Registered Music Teacher or R.M.T.
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