Atlantic Registry

The Atlantic Registry allows for greater mobility of fully licensed physicians in Atlantic Canada. Eligible physicians can begin to opt in on May 1, 2023.

The creation of the Atlantic Registry is the result of a collaboration over several months between all four Atlantic provinces. It is built upon substantial agreement by all Colleges on the criteria for licensure and advances the spirit and intent of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to opt in to the Atlantic Registry, physicians must have their primary practice in an Atlantic province and hold a Full licence issued by one of the four Atlantic Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons.

Physicians must have a Full licence without:

  • conditions;
  • restrictions;
  • undertakings; and
  • supervision requirements.

Physicians must not:

  • have their licence revoked or suspended;
  • have restrictions or conditions imposed on their licence, including those conditions or restrictions agreed to by a physician in an agreement or undertaking;
  • be the subject of an open complaint which has been referred to a disciplinary panel or tribunal and a decision is pending; or
  • be undergoing monitoring or a quality assurance or fitness to practice review as a result of a concern raised regarding the physician’s health or competency to practice medicine.

Physicians are eligible when they meet all eligibility requirements and there are no other serious issues relating to their file identified by the Registrar.

Once licensed in each province by way of the Atlantic Registry, physicians can practice throughout the Atlantic region as of right.

Physicians who wish to opt in to the Atlantic Registry must advise their home College and provide their consent. A physician’s home College is where they hold a Full licence and in the jurisdiction where they practice the majority of the time.

The annual fee for the Registry is $500.00 and replaces all fees associated with temporary or locum licences for each of the Atlantic provinces.

How to Opt In to the Atlantic Registry

Opting in to the Atlantic Registry must be done through the College from which you hold your Full licence, and in the jurisdiction where you practice the majority of the time.

To opt in to the Registry, you must:

  • Download and complete the opt in form
  • Send your completed form
    • By Mail: 120 Torbay Road, Suite W100, St. John’s, NL, A1A 2G8
    • By Email: licensing@cpsnl.ca
    • By Fax: (709) 726-4725

Approval for Registration on the Atlantic Registry

Once the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador receives your completed opt in form, an internal review will be conducted to determine your eligibility. If approved, the College will recommend Full licensure to each of the other Atlantic Colleges upon payment of the associated fee.

When you have successfully opted in to the Atlantic Registry, the other Atlantic provinces will issue you a Full licence, and you may practice in those jurisdictions.

Remaining on the Registry

Renewal

Your participation in the Atlantic Registry will automatically renew as part of your annual licensing renewal with your home College, which is where you hold a Full licence and in the jurisdiction where you practice the majority of the time. You will not be expected to complete four renewals in four different provinces.

Unless you have been removed from the Atlantic Registry for not meeting the criteria for licensure, or you have submitted written notice to opt out, you will automatically be billed the $500.00 fee at the time of your annual licensing renewal. This fee is in addition to the annual licensing fee(s) and is non-refundable.

The outcome of your renewal will be reported to all Atlantic Colleges. As long as you continue to meet the criteria of the Atlantic Registry, your licence in all other Atlantic provinces will automatically renew.

Complaints

Any complaint initiated against you will be adjudicated in the province where the patient encounter took place.

Application of Policies, Standards, By-laws, Programs, and Provincial Laws

You are expected to abide by the College policies, standards, by-laws, programs, and/or provincial laws of the province where you are practicing. These include, but are not limited to continuing professional development requirements, currency of practice, and any quality and peer-review program.

Data Sharing

When you consent to opt in to the Atlantic Registry, you agree to share your information with all parties in the Atlantic Registry agreement. This includes the outcome of any renewals, or issues of conduct, capacity, or competence.

Fees

The fee to maintain licensure on the Atlantic Registry is $500.00 per year in addition to the annual licensing fees applied by your home College, which is where you hold a Full licence and in the jurisdiction where you practice the majority of the time.

This fee replaces all fees associated with temporary or locum licences for each of the Atlantic provinces.

Removal/Opting Out of the Atlantic Registry

You will remain licensed with all Atlantic Colleges through annual licence renewal with your home College, which is where you hold a Full licence and in the jurisdiction where you practice the majority of the time, unless:

  • you opt out;
  • your usual place of practice is no longer within an Atlantic province;
  • you fail to meet the requirements for licensure or renewal of licensure in your home College;
  • you fail to continue to meet the eligibility requirements of the Atlantic Registry; or
  • an Atlantic College identifies an issue with your conduct, capacity, or competence that no longer qualifies you for participation in the Atlantic Registry.

If you have any additional questions, please contact us at 709-726-8546.