RHPA Migration

Effective September 5, 2025, the Government of Nova Scotia approved new regulations for physiotherapy under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), and our name has changed from the Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists (NSCP) to the Nova Scotia Regulator of Physiotherapy (NSRPT).

Please note that updates to our content and logos are underway, and our commitment to protecting the public remains unchanged.

Approaching 90 Days Under the RHPA: An Update from the Registrar

As we approach 90 days of operating under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), the Nova Scotia Regulator of Physiotherapy (NSRPT) continues to make steady, deliberate progress in implementing the new legislative framework while ensuring stability for registrants and the public. The first three months have focused on establishing core RHPA requirements and preparing for the next phase of development.

Progress in the First 90 Days

Website and Communications Updates: Major updates have been completed to re-organize and refresh content for applicants and the public, ensuring clarity around RHPA processes and expectations. Work on updated physiotherapist (registrant) information is underway, with substantial additions planned for release in the next 90 days.
Registration Framework Implemented: The Practicing and Conditional Registers are fully operational, and RHPA-aligned registration pathways are now embedded in routine decision-making.
Committee Re-Organization in Progress: Work continues to transition statutory committees to RHPA-aligned structures, including updated mandates and terms of reference. This re-organization will continue into early 2026 as committees are re-established under the new requirements.
Professional Conduct Pathways Maintained: RHPA-based inquiry, investigation, and decision-making processes are active and in use. These pathways are being kept operational and updated as we go, with more formal and comprehensive work planned for future phases.
Quality Assurance Program (QAP): NSRPT has completed and submitted the provincial Regulator QAP survey—an important first stage in this new requirement. We now await validation and further direction from the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) as the process continues

What’s Coming in the Next 90 Days

The next phase of work will deepen RHPA implementation and help lay the foundation for NSRPT’s longer-term regulatory strategy:

Completion of Registrant Website Content: Updated guidance for physiotherapists—including standards, regulatory expectations, and duty-to-report information—will be added as the website redevelopment continues.
Committee Transition Work Continues: Finalizing committee structures, roles, and training materials will be a key focus as we prepare to stand up the RHPA-aligned committees through the winter.
Policy and Bylaw Alignment: Additional bylaw refinements and RHPA-aligned policy updates will be reviewed and advanced for Board consideration.
Strategic Planning Foundations: Insights from the RHPA transition and the initial QAP work are informing NSRPT’s upcoming three-year strategic planning cycle. Early progress has been made in the first 90 days; more substantial development is expected in the next 90 days.
NSRPT remains committed to protecting the public, supporting registrants through this transition, and building the structures required for a modern and effective RHPA-aligned regulatory system. Thank you for your continued professionalism as we move forward

Mark Williams, NSRPT Registrar/Executive Director