More health profession migrations: An update on Nova Scotia’s Regulated Health Professions Act

By Tyana Caplan & Jennifer Taylor

The midpoint of 2026 provides a timely opportunity to review which health professions in Nova Scotia have now migrated to the Regulated Health Professions Act (“RHPA”) regime.

This update follows our original overview of the RHPA from January 6, 2025, and our 2025 mid-year review, both of which are available here.

By way of background, the RHPA is a Nova Scotia statute establishing a shared regulatory framework that will eventually apply to all health professions and health professionals in Nova Scotia. Since the RHPA was enacted in 2023, health professions have been transitioning to the new regime in phases. The migration is expected to be complete within the next year.

One key change is that regulators formerly known as “Colleges” (or, sometimes, “boards” or “councils”) will, once migrated, be called “Regulators.” Beyond the title change, migration to the RHPA regime will mean new bylaws, regulations, and committee names and processes for each health profession, as well as the potential for increased ministerial oversight. These changes will affect regulators and regulated health professionals alike, touching everything from day-to-day governance to registration, licensing, and reinstatement; complaints and professional conduct (disciplinary) procedures; and fitness-to-practice programs.

Nursing and midwifery are the latest professions to migrate, as of June 30, 2026. Midwives and nurses (including Licensed Practical Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and Registered Psychiatric Nurses) are now regulated by the same regulatory body, the Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator, and are subject to the new Nursing and Midwifery Regulations.

The following professionals had previously migrated to the new regime:

• Audiologists are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
• Chiropractors are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Chiropractic and Naturopathic Regulator.
• Dental Hygienists, Dental Technicians, and Denturists are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism.
• Dentists and Dental Assistants are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting.
• Dietitians are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dietetics.
• Medical Imaging Technologists and Radiation Therapists are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy.
• Medical Laboratory Technologists are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Medical Laboratory Sciences.
• Naturopathic Doctors have now become a regulated health profession, regulated by the Nova Scotia Chiropractic and Naturopathic Regulator.
• Nutritionists are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dietetics.
• Occupational Therapists are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Occupational Therapy Regulator.
• Paramedics are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Paramedicine.
• Pharmacists are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator.
• Physiotherapists are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Physiotherapy.
• Psychologists are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology.
• Respiratory Therapists are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy.
• Speech-language Pathologists are now regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

Migration is expected later in 2026, or early in 2027, for:

• Counselling Therapists;
• Dispensing Opticians and Optometrists;
• Physicians, Surgeons, and Podiatrists; and
• Social Workers (the most recent professionals to be made subject to the RHPA).

This update is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance on how the Regulated Health Professions Act may affect you or your organization, please contact the authors, or a member of our Health Group.

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