The Continuing Competence Program (CCP) for all nurses in Nova Scotia is a regulatory program and quality assurance mechanism. Every nurse in Nova Scotia is required to successfully complete the CCP expectations for initial licensure or as part of their annual licensure requirement, regardless of their employment status.
Getting Started
The following components are required of all nurses:
- Self-assessment of individual competence
- Development of a professional growth plan to meet learning goals over the year
- Reflective evaluation of the impact of the professional growth plan
- Participation in the audit process, if selected, to confirm a nurse’s participation in the program
Program Tools to Help You be Successful
The following tools are available to help you meet your CCP requirements:
- CCP Guide for Nurses
- CCP Online Learning Module
- CCP Frequently Asked Questions
- CCP Professional Growth Plan Template
- NSCN Self-Assessment Tools
These tools have been created to assist you in being successful in your participation and completion of the CCP. It will be challenging to meet the program components and be successful without reviewing and using all of the tools noted above.
CCP Module in NSCN Registrant Portal
In January 2025, NSCN launched the CCP module in our registrant portal. The CCP module will allow you to develop your professional growth plan directly through the portal, as well as submit the plan if you are selected for audit.
2025 CCP Audit
Each year NSCN randomly audits a predetermined number of nurses to complete the Continuing Competence Program (CCP) audit process. The purpose of the verification process is twofold. Firstly, it enables NSCN to verify that you have met the requirements of the CCP. Secondly, it provides the public with the assurance that the nursing profession is committed to continuous learning and growth in an ever-evolving health system.
Information on the 2025 CCP Audit process was communicated to all nurses who were randomly selected to participate on February 14, 2025. Those selected have until April 22, 2025, to participate in the audit process.
Nurses can be selected to participate in one of the following two processes:
Declaration of Compliance
As part of the audit process, those selected are required to complete the four-question declaration of compliance, which indicates that you are in compliance with the CCP expectations. The declaration of compliance survey will be sent to those nurses who are randomly selected.
Professional Growth Plan Submission
The development and implementation of a professional growth plan is the blueprint nurses use to set, meet, and reflect on their professional development goals. As part of the audit process, those selected are required to submit their completed professional growth plan for review.
Submitting your Professional Growth Plan in the NSCN Registrant Portal
Those selected must submit the professional growth plan they developed last year (2024) to NSCN by April 22, 2025, via the NSCN registrant portal. NSCN staff will review professional growth plan submissions and you will be notified by e-mail when your plan has been reviewed. Response times vary depending on when you submit your documents, however, you can expect to have a response no later than May 23, 2025. Our website has all the resources you need to fill out your professional growth plan including the CCP Guide for Nurses and samples.
Regardless of the process you are selected to complete, we recommend that you review the many resources available above to support you in this process.
Have a Question?
Have you checked out the CCP Frequently Asked Questions or the CCP Guide for Nurses yet? If you cannot find the answer to your question, please reach out to us at ccp@nscn.ca.