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Licensure Update – January 2025

Licensure Update – JAN. 2025

Priorities of the Licensure Committee

  • Advocate for licensure of recreation therapy professionals in NS
  • Educate others about the profession
  • Educate others about the role of recreation therapy in the well-being of Nova Scotians
  • Engage with policy analysts, political parties, government and legal counsel

Highlights and Work to Date

Work completed includes:

  • Development of annual budget
  • Access to skilled legal counsel in health profession regulation
  • Regular communication with key individuals and organizations linked to goal of becoming licensed
  • Engagement with 21 FSP – Consultants that supported the work of the committee by doing outreach on behalf of NSTRA that included key stakeholders from Government (Seniors and LTC, DHW, Office of MH&A), WCB, HANS
  • One major recommendation was Brand Recognition (which has now shifted to the Marketing Committee)

Highlights of 2023-24:

  • As NSTRA continues to explore its options for statutory regulation, we have had a number of discussions with DHW representatives over this past year
  • At the moment, the DHW is focused on the implementation of the Regulated Health Profession Act (RHPA), and migrating existing regulators under new regulations
  • Our most recent communication with DHW is that they will resume discussions with us about regulation in the spring, and we have requested a meeting with them to further understand what this will look like
  • While the pace is slow, we are pleased we are having these continued discussions

Next Steps and How to get Involved

  • Meet with DHW for an update on our application
  • Follow-up with Legal Counsel to determine action plan and next steps for Spring 2025

Questions? Email the co-chairs at licensure@nstra.info.