Registration Requirements

The registration requirements for manual osteopaths who are interested in becoming a member of the Nova Scotia Osteopathic Association are listed below. The requirements are the same for all applicants – whether trained domestically or internationally.

Successful completion of the requirements for registration demonstrates that an applicant has fulfilled the essential competencies to become registered with NSOA.

Prospective members must complete the following before becoming registered with NSOA:

1. Graduate from an accredited WHO compliant osteopathic school (this requirement is non- exemptible);
2. Provide evidence of good character;
3. Be able to speak and write English or French with reasonable fluency;
4. Obtain a certificate in level C first aid and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR);
5. Maintain professional liability protection. 

Graduation from an Accredited Osteopathic School

In Nova Scotia (Canada), manual osteopaths work as autonomous health professionals who have the authorization to open their own independently owned private osteopathic clinics, see patients without a referral from a family physician, communicate an osteopathic diagnosis within the manual osteopathy scope of practice and perform osteopathic manual therapy (OMT). It is essential that registered manual osteopaths have the appropriate level of education required for this level of responsibility. The Nova Scotia Osteopathic Association (NSOA) is committed to defining international educational standards and ensuring their adoption and maintenance by accredited osteopathic schools.

 

 

Provide Evidence of Good Character

Applicants must provide evidence that their past and present conduct must afford reasonable grounds for belief that the applicant is mentally and physically competent to practice manual osteopathy, will practice manual osteopathy with decency, integrity, honesty and in accordance with the law, has sufficient knowledge, skill and judgment to engage in manual osteopathy and will display professional behaviour.

Applicants are required to demonstrate this good conduct and character by disclosing to NSOA all past offences, findings or professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity, and findings of malpractice or professional negligence. Applicants moving from another jurisdiction must provide a letter of good standing from all jurisdictions in which they have practiced manual osteopathy or been registered as a manual osteopath. All applicants sign a declaration that all information provided is true, complete and current.

Be Able to Speak and Write English or French with Reasonable Fluency

Applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum level of communication skill in either English or French as a requirement to providing effective care to the public of Nova Scotia. Fluency in either of these languages is demonstrated by successful completion of NSOA’s Legislation and Ethics Examination.

Professional Liability Protection

The requirement to be personally insured against professional liability applies to all health professionals in Nova Scotia. Manual osteopaths are required to maintain professional liability protection to protect themselves and patients from any possible acts of malpractice, professional negligence, professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.