Establish Academic Eligibility by completing an approved dental technology program

Submit a transcript, or diploma sent directly from the dental technology educational program. Alternatively, you may submit a notarized* copy of your diploma or degree.

Or

Proof of graduation from the Technical Vocational High School with evidence of 600 experiential hours of post-graduation dental technology practice in any country.

Explanation: The educational requirement for licensure to practice dental technology in Nova Scotia is graduation from an approved dental technology program, currently George Brown College, Vancouver Community College, CDI College, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Technical Vocational High school and Cégep Édouard-Montpetit.

*Notarized: A Notary public, Commissioner of Oaths, or Lawyer to sign or seal the required documentation. Alternatively, original documents may be brought into the NSRDHDTD office in-person, where staff will authenticate documents. (If you wish to bring in your original document, please contact the NSRDHDTD office to schedule an appointment.) Contact: info@oralhealthns.ca or 902-444-7241.

Successfully complete the Dental Technology Entry-to-Practice Assessment (DTETPA). There are two parts, a knowledge-based assessment (KBA) and a performance-based assessment (PBA). As part of the required documentation, you must provide an original copy of your DTETPA certificate, verifying that you successfully completed both the written and performance based assessments. Alternatively, you may submit a notarized* copy of your DTETPA certificate.

Explanation: The DTETPA written and performance based assessment is delivered by the Canadian Alliance of Dental Technology Regulators (CADTR). This written and practical exam tests whether an applicant possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge, skills, attitude and judgment required for entry-level practice. The DTETPA Tab provides information on the exam objectives, eligibility criteria, application procedures (including accommodations for testing), development process, format, content, security measures, scoring and exam review application process. The list of examination sites and the deadlines for application to write the examination are posted on the CADTR website.

*Notarized: A Notary public, Commissioner of Oaths, or Lawyer to sign or seal the required documentation. Alternatively, original documents may be brought into the NSRDHDTD office in person, where staff will authenticate documents. (If you wish to bring in your original document, please contact the NSRDHDTD office to schedule an appointment. Contact: info@oralhealthns.ca or 902-444-7241.)

Complete the  registration and licensing application form, with the application fee

To register, start by contacting the NSRDHDTD for an application form.

• You must also submit the necessary documentation required to complete the application. You DO NOT have to submit all of the documents at once.
• Your application will not be reviewed until you submit the non-refundable application fee.
• The balance of the fees must be paid before your application will be considered complete. 
• The next steps provide further details on the required documentation. You will also find this information summarized in the application checklist, which is listed below. 

Registration and Licensing Application Checklist for Dental Technologists May 1, 2025 to Oct 31, 2025

There is no specific order that the documentation, listed below, must be provided. However, before your application will be considered complete, all applicable documentation must be received. 

A. Provide proof of identity, including verification that you are a Canadian citizen or legally allowed to work in Canada.

• Upload a passport-sized photo in a format appropriate for a regulator e.g., business casual clothing. This does not have to be an actual passport photo. This gives you an example of the image size and that it should be a full facial profile (head and shoulders). You may smile in your photo.
• Upload a copy of your birth certificate. If this is in a language other than English or French, please provide a translation.
• Legally authorized to work in Canada. If you were not born in Canada, please upload a Canadian passport, your employment visa, or permanent resident document.
• Name changes: If your current name differs from that on the birth certificate and/or transcript, upload evidence of a name change e.g., driver’s licence, passport, marriage licence, or other government issued ID.

B. Currency in Practice

Applicants must meet one of the following:

• Completion of a dental technology diploma within the 3 years immediately preceding the date the application for registration is received. (The document outlined in Step 1 is sufficient if you graduated less than three years ago);
• Provide evidence of practice as a dental technologist within the 3 years immediately preceding the date of the application for registration is received. If applicable, evidence of the 600 practice hours must be in the form of a signed letter from the employer (on letterhead), ROE (Record of Employment), or another acceptable alternative document, as determined by the Registrar. Dental Technologists registered with the NSDHDTD as of May 1, 2025 will have three (3) years to meet this requirement.

C. Have Currency in Continuing Education (Continuing Competence)

Applicants must meet one of the following:

• Completion of a dental technologist diploma within the 3 years immediately preceding the date the application for registration is received. (As noted in B, the transcript you provide is sufficient evidence);
• Provide evidence of having obtained 45 hours of continuing dental technologist education within the 3 years immediately preceding the date the application for registration is received. Dental Technologists registered with the NSDHDTD as of May 1, 2025 will have three (3) years to meet this requirement.

D. Upload the certificate verifying you have completed the Nova Scotia Jurisprudence Examination.
Applicants must successfully complete a jurisprudence exam for Nova Scotia which assesses an applicant’s understanding of the legislation, standards of practice, and other matters relevant to practicing in Nova Scotia. The new exam is currently under development. If you wish to take the exam, please contact the NSRDHDTD at info@oralhealthns.ca.

• Review the Act, Regulations and Bylaws on the Legislative Information and Standards of Practice page.

E. Demonstrate Good Conduct/Good Character  

Verification of Registration (evidence that you are in good standing in any previous jurisdiction) Complete the form provided by NSRDHDTD.

Follow these steps:

• Complete Part A of the form and send it directly to each jurisdiction where you are, or have been previously certified, licensed, or registered as a dental technician.
• The jurisdictional regulatory body must complete Part B and send the completed form directly to the NSRDHDTD.

• • Note: If you currently hold an unrestricted practising licence in another Canadian Jurisdiction, please go to the Tab entitled Applicants Currently Registered or Licensed in another Canadian Jurisdiction, and follow the application steps provided there.

    • Self-declaration: In addition to the good standing verification from other jurisdictions, as applicable, there are good character questions that you must self-declare on the application form.

F. Upload a permanent CPR Card/Certificate, completed at the level required by the Board, taken within the last 12 months. Must include both a classroom instruction and a practical component. See CPR Information and Courses for further details.

G. Upload your Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) policy(ies), as required by legislation and Board policy. You must have PLI for the full period for which you are applying for your initial practising licence. 

H. Evidence of English language proficiency, This is necessary for safe and competent practice. If there is no equivalent English proficiency requirement in the jurisdiction where you are currently registered, your primary language is not English and/or your program of study was conducted in a language other than English, you will be required to provide proof of English language competency. Please refer to the current English language requirements.

Complete registration and licensing process, including payment of final fees

Time Frames for Processing Applications

Applications are processed in the order in which they are completed. We do our best to process all applications in a timely manner. Typically, applications take about 4-6 weeks to be completed and for individuals to be placed on the NSRDHDTD Register and issued a practising licence. This timing depends on the length of time it takes the applicant to provide all of the necessary documentation and fees. During busier times, e.g., renewals and when multiple new graduates apply, this time frame may be extended. Please inform potential employers of this time frame, so that they can schedule your anticipated start date, accordingly.

Payment Methods
For all applications, we accept certified cheques or money orders, e-transfers, and credit card payments. When an invoice is generated, it will include further details on how to complete the methods of payment. 

To ensure you are appropriately credited, provide the following information for all payment forms: 

• the first name and last name of the individual who submitted the application form.
  • This must match the name on the initial application.
• the invoice number related to that payment. Please remember that the invoice for your registration and licensing fee will be generated later in the application process. Your application invoice fee will be generated as soon as you submit your application.  

We accept credit card payment through Plastiq. Using Plastiq, a third-party service provider, you can pay with MasterCard, Visa or American Express:

• Go to: https://request.plastiq.com/pay-college-of-dental-hygienists-of-nova-scotia and register with Plastiq to create an account.
• Tell Plastiq the amount you want to pay and when you want to send it.

Plastiq payments may take 3-5 business days to process and that a Plastiq service fee will be applied (up to 2.9% for credit cards, 1% for debit cards).

For more information about Plastiq, review Frequently Asked Questions About Plastiq

Applicants are required to meet with the Registrar, virtually.

This is the last step in the application process. An interview is not booked until the rest of the registration process is complete. Once an application is complete, the NSRDHDTD will contact you to schedule this interview.

The purpose of this structured interview is to ensure that newly licensing registrants understand their professional obligations regarding the practice of dental technology in Nova Scotia, including obligations under the Act and Regulations. There is no advance preparation required by the applicant.

The interview will highlight:

• Relevent sections of the RHPA, the Regulations, sections 12,14,16, 23, 24, and 26, and Bylaws, sections 21-24 and 36-39;
• the NSRDHDTD Dental Technology Continuing Competency Program Requirements document; and
• any other relevant information pertinent to the specific registrant.

During this interview, you are able to ask questions and obtain clarity on any area of the legislation, or elements of dental technology practice, that may be unclear.