How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Nova Scotia
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy to work as a respiratory therapist in Nova Scotia or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Respiratory Therapist
Show the source
“You may not practice respiratory therapy or identify yourself as a "Respiratory Therapist" in Nova Scotia until after you have been issued a certificate of registration.”
From nscrt.com/registration, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 6 steps (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)
- Licensed in another province: 7 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 7 steps
- Annual fees
-
- Annual Active-Practicing License Fee: $650
Source
“Annual Active-Practicing License Fee | $650 annually New registrant fees are prorated at $54/month for remaining months of licensing year”
nscrt.com/registration/annual-registration-fees - Renewal fee: $650
- Annual Active-Practicing License Fee: $650
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 6 done
- 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
- 5 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $1,300
- Listed time: 18 months (only 1 of 6 steps state a time)
-
Fill in all fields on the online application form and select the Conditional License option.
Source
“1) Online Application Form: Complete all fields on the online application form at https://members.nsrrt.ca/apply/initial. Select Conditional License from options.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/canadian-educated-graduate... -
Upload or mail official evidence of successful completion of the education program, such as a letter from the program director or official transcripts sent directly from the institution.
Source
“5) Education: Official evidence of successful completion of applicant's education program must be uploaded or mailed to the NSRRT. A letter from the program director is acceptable evidence or official transcripts sent directly from the educational institution to the NSRRT.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/canadian-educated-graduate... -
Successfully complete the online NSRRT Jurisprudence Exam found under the eLearning menu on the applicant's online profile.
Source
“6) Jurisprudence Exam: Applicants must successfully complete the online NSRRT Jurisprudence Exam. The exam is located under the eLearning menu on the applicant's online profile.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/canadian-educated-graduate... -
Pay the registration fee by credit card, with a one-time $75 application fee for new Nova Scotia applicants in addition to the registration fee.
- Application fee: $75 (New Nova Scotia applicants)
Source
“New Nova Scotia applicants are subject to a one-time $75 application fee in addition to the registration fee”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/canadian-educated-graduate...
Source
“7) Submission of registration fee: Fees are payable by credit card. (New Nova Scotia applicants are subject to a one-time $75 application fee in addition to the registration fee).”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/canadian-educated-graduate... - Application fee: $75 (New Nova Scotia applicants)
-
Once all requirements are met, applicants receive a Conditional Temporary Graduate License and can use the Graduate Respiratory Therapist designation.
Source
“Once all requirements have been met, applicants will be issued a Conditional Temporary Graduate License and will be able to use the designation of Graduate Respiratory Therapist (GRT).”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/canadian-educated-graduate... -
Within 18 months and 3 attempts of graduation, successfully challenge the HPTC examination approved by the NSRRT Board; after documentation is received, conditions are removed and a Practicing license is issued.
Time: 18 monthsTime source
“GRTs have 18 months (3 attmepts) to successfully challenge the examination approved by the NSRRT Board following graduation”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/canadian-educated-graduate...Source
“8) Exam: GRTs have 18 months (3 attmepts) to successfully challenge the examination approved by the NSRRT Board following graduation - the Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) examination. Graduate respiratory therapists will have their conditions removed and receive a Practicing license when documentation of successful completion of the HPTC exam is received.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/canadian-educated-graduate...
Listed fees for this route
1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $1,300 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Annual Active-Practicing License Fee: $650
Source
“Annual Active-Practicing License Fee | $650 annually New registrant fees are prorated at $54/month for remaining months of licensing year”
nscrt.com/registration/annual-registration-fees - Renewal fee: $650
Licensed in another province
0 of 7 done
- 7 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $1,300
-
Complete all fields on the online initial application form.
Source
“1) Online Application Form: Complete all fields on the online initial application form.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/respiratory-therapists-fro... -
Upload a Criminal Records Check/Vulnerable Sector Check obtained within the past 6 months from a local police agency, the RCMP, or a private screening organization.
Source
“2) Criminal Background Check, including a Vulnerable Sector check: Must accompany all new applications and be uploaded to the online profile. The Criminal Records Check/Vulnerable Sector Check must be obtained within the past 6 months and performed by a local police agency, the RCMP, or private organizations such as CSI Screening or My Backcheck.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/respiratory-therapists-fro... -
Upload a copy of a Canadian passport, birth certificate, permanent residency card, or work visa to the online profile.
Source
“3) Verification of identity/eligibility to work in Canada: A copy of applicant's Canadian passport, birth certificate, permanent residency card, or work visa uploaded to the online profile.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/respiratory-therapists-fro... -
If the applicant's first language is not English or their health care instruction was not in English, submit documentation supporting the required fluency status.
Source
“4) Language Fluency (if applicable): Applicants will need to submit documentation to support the required status of fluency if their first language is not English or relevant health care instruction was not in English.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/respiratory-therapists-fro... -
Complete section A of the Statement of Professional Standing form and have the regulatory body in each province of registration complete section B and forward it directly to the NSRRT.
Source
“5) Registration Verification: Applicants registered in another jurisdiction are required to complete the Statement of Professional Standing Form from the province where they are registered and any province they have previously been registered in.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/respiratory-therapists-fro... -
Successfully complete the online NSRRT Jurisprudence Exam located under the eLearning menu on the applicant's online profile.
Source
“6) Jurisprudence Exam: Applicants must successfully complete the online NSRRT Jurisprudence Exam. The exam is located under the eLearning menu on the applicant's online profile.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/respiratory-therapists-fro... -
Pay the registration fee by credit card.
Source
“7) Submission of registration fee: Fees are payable by credit card. Registration Fees can be found here.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/respiratory-therapists-fro...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy
7 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $1,300 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Annual Active-Practicing License Fee: $650
Source
“Annual Active-Practicing License Fee | $650 annually New registrant fees are prorated at $54/month for remaining months of licensing year”
nscrt.com/registration/annual-registration-fees - Renewal fee: $650
Trained outside Canada
0 of 7 done
- 7 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $1,300
- Listed time: 18 months (only 1 of 7 steps state a time)
-
Begin the application process by submitting the required documents, including a preliminary review of the online profile and document submissions by the NSRRT Credentials Committee.
Source
“When you submit an application, the NSRRT Credentials Committee will complete a preliminary review of your online profile and document submissions.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a... -
Have education and academic qualifications verified by a member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada, with a Course by Course Evaluation report forwarded directly to the NSRRT.
Source
“3. Credential Evaluation: You must have your education/academic qualifications verified by a member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (e.g. World Education Services (WES)). All reports must be forwarded to the NSRRT directly from the credential evaluation service provider. You are required to have a Course by Course Evaluation completed.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a... -
If registered as a respiratory therapist or in any other health profession in another country, submit a letter of good standing or the NSRRT Statement of Professional Standing form completed by the regulatory body.
Source
“4. Letter of Good Standing: If you have been registered/licensed as a respiratory therapist or in any other health profession in another country you must submit a letter of good standing from the regulatory body.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a... -
Source
“If your education is similar to that of a Canadian trained respiratory therapist you will be referred to the next stage of the process, a competency assessment performed by the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO).”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a... -
Once determined eligible for licensure, provide additional documents such as proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency status, or a valid work permit before a license can be granted.
Source
“8. Proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency status or a valid work permit (Not required to apply but must be provided before a license can be issued): Upload a copy of one of the following: birth certificate from a Canadian province or territory, valid Canadian passport, certificate of Canadian Citizenship, permanent residency card, or a valid work permit.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a... -
If competency is demonstrated in all required areas, the applicant is eligible for a Conditional License that allows practice in Nova Scotia under conditions and restrictions.
Source
“If you have demonstrated competency in all required areas, you are eligible for a Conditional License with the NSRRT. Conditional License holders are able to practice in Nova Scotia.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a... -
Depending on the conditions and restrictions on the conditional license, the registrant may be referred to the HPTC national certification examination, which must be successfully challenged within 18 months to obtain a Practising License.
Time: 18 monthsTime source
“Once elible to write the HPTC exam, it must be successfully challenged within 18 months to obtain a Practising License.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a...Source
“Registrants who hold this class of license may be referred to the Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) national certification examination, depending on what conditions and restrictions are on the license. Once elible to write the HPTC exam, it must be successfully challenged within 18 months to obtain a Practising License.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy
7 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $1,300 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Annual Active-Practicing License Fee: $650
Source
“Annual Active-Practicing License Fee | $650 annually New registrant fees are prorated at $54/month for remaining months of licensing year”
nscrt.com/registration/annual-registration-fees - Renewal fee: $650
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.
- Past deadline renewal fee: $50 (Registrants who do not renew prior to the March 15th deadline)
Source
“Past deadline renewal fee | $50 | Registrants who do not renew prior to the March 15th deadline will be responsible for an additional processing fee.”
nscrt.com/registration/annual-registration-fees - Reinstatement fee: $100 (Registrants who let their licence expire and reapply for licensure within the same fiscal year)
Source
“Reinstatement fee | $100 | Registrants who let their licence expire and reapply for licensure within the same fiscal year will be subject to a reinstatement fee in addition to the annual license fee.”
nscrt.com/registration/annual-registration-fees
Requirements
Education
Applicants must be graduates of an approved Canadian Respiratory Therapy program or have their formal education assessed as similar to Canadian entry-to-practice requirements.
Source
“To be eligible for a license with the NSRRT, internationally educated applicants who have not graduated from an approved education program must have an assessment of their formal education program and clinical experience to determine if it is similar to the entry to practice requirements for Canadian trained applicants.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a...Applicants who have been practising in an unregulated Canadian jurisdiction must provide proof of successful completion of a Canadian Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program and the HPTC exam, plus a letter of good character from their current employer with hours worked in the preceding 4 years.
Source
“- a) Proof of successful completion of a Canadian Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program - b) Proof of successful completion of the HPTC exam - c) Letter of good character from current employer, including a record of the hours worked in the 4 years preceeding the application”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/respiratory-therapists-fro...
Experience
Applicants returning after a lapse in practice must submit proof of at least 1500 hours practising respiratory therapy in the 4 years immediately before submitting an application.
Source
“you will be required to submit proof that you meet the legislated currency hours - a minimum of at least 1500 hours practising respiratory therapy in the 4 years immediately before submitting an application.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/respiratory-therapists-fro...
Police check
Applicants from other Canadian jurisdictions must submit a Criminal Background Check including a Vulnerable Sector check obtained within the past 6 months.
Source
“2) Criminal Background Check, including a Vulnerable Sector check: Must accompany all new applications and be uploaded to the online profile. The Criminal Records Check/Vulnerable Sector Check must be obtained within the past 6 months and performed by a local police agency, the RCMP, or private organizations such as CSI Screening or My Backcheck.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/respiratory-therapists-fro...
Good character
Applicants registered in another health profession or jurisdiction must submit a letter of good standing from the regulatory body.
Source
“4. Letter of Good Standing: If you have been registered/licensed as a respiratory therapist or in any other health profession in another country you must submit a letter of good standing from the regulatory body.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a...
Other
Applicants must provide proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency status, or a valid work permit before a license can be issued.
Source
“8. Proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency status or a valid work permit (Not required to apply but must be provided before a license can be issued): Upload a copy of one of the following: birth certificate from a Canadian province or territory, valid Canadian passport, certificate of Canadian Citizenship, permanent residency card, or a valid work permit.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state whether applicants from other Canadian provinces can register based on their current licence without retaking the entry-to-practice exam or a competence assessment. Source
“This section is intended for Canadian educated applicants who have never been registered/licensed with the NSRRT but have been practicing as a respiratory therapist in another Canadian jurisdiction.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/respiratory-therapists-fro...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy
Exams
-
NSRRT Jurisprudence Exam
Source
“Applicants must successfully complete the online NSRRT Jurisprudence Exam.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/canadian-educated-graduate... -
Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) examination
Source
“GRTs have 18 months (3 attmepts) to successfully challenge the examination approved by the NSRRT Board following graduation - the Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) examination.”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/canadian-educated-graduate... -
Competency assessment
Source
“a competency assessment performed by the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO)”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy
Supervised practice
Required
Graduate Respiratory Therapists must practise respiratory therapy only under the general supervision of a registered respiratory therapist. Source
“1. practise respiratory therapy only under the general supervision of a registered respiratory therapist; and”
nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/canadian-educated-graduate...
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | $30.22 | $40.22 | $45.42 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $30.16 | $41.00 | $51.00 | — |
Respiratory therapists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Registration - Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists nscrt.com/registration · fetched October 10, 2026
- 2. Canadian Educated Graduates - Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/canadian-educated-graduate... · fetched October 10, 2026
- 3. Applicants from Other Canadian Jurisdictions - Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/respiratory-therapists-fro... · fetched October 10, 2026
- 4. Internationally Educated Applicants - Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/internationally-educated-a... · fetched October 10, 2026
- NSRRT Annual Registration Fees - Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists nscrt.com/registration/annual-registration-fees · fetched October 10, 2026
- 1. Annual Membership Renewal - Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists nscrt.com/registration/new-registrations/online-membership-renewal · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a respiratory therapist in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Registration with Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy is required to practise in Nova Scotia, and to use the title Respiratory Therapist.
Which exams are required?
NSRRT Jurisprudence Exam, Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) examination, Competency assessment.
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