CAREER GUIDE · NOVA SCOTIA

How to become a mortgage broker in Nova Scotia

A mortgage broker sits between the borrower and the lender. You take someone's full financial picture, figure out which lender's rules that picture actually fits, and carry the file through to funding. It's client-facing work with a flexible schedule and no ceiling on what you can earn — your income tracks the volume and quality of the files you close, not a pay band.

This guide is written by Rahul Bedi, a working Nova Scotia mortgage broker, and walks through the licensing path exactly as the province lays it out. We're hiring →

The two licence tiers in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia uses a two-tier system regulated under the Mortgage Regulation Act by Service Nova Scotia. You start as an associate under supervision, then move up to a full broker licence once you have the experience and education behind you.

The entry point

Associate Mortgage Broker Licence

You act as an intermediary between borrower and lender while supervised by a licensed mortgage broker.

Requirements

19 years of age or older
A resident of Canada
A criminal record check no more than 3 months old
Employed by a brokerage that holds a Mortgage Brokerage Licence — the principal broker applies on your behalf
Completion of the Nova Scotia Associate Mortgage Broker Course within the 2 years before you apply, unless you're exempt through an equivalent licence from AB, BC, MB, NB, ON, QC, or SK

Fee: $300
Processing: About 2 weeks to process
Renewal: Renew by October 31 each year

The full licence

Mortgage Broker Licence

The same base eligibility as the associate tier, plus experience and two additional education requirements.

Requirements

19 years of age or older, a resident of Canada, and a criminal record check no more than 3 months old
Employed by a brokerage that holds a Mortgage Brokerage Licence
Held an Associate Mortgage Broker Licence for at least 12 of the 24 months before applying, unless exempt
Completion of the Nova Scotia Mortgage Broker Education Program
Completion of the Regulatory Information Program

Fee: $300
Processing: About 2 weeks to process
Renewal: Renew by October 31 each year

The path, step by step

1
Get hired by a licensed Nova Scotia mortgage brokerage.
2
Get your criminal record check.
3
Complete the Nova Scotia Associate Mortgage Broker Course.
4
Your principal broker applies for your Associate Mortgage Broker Licence.
5
Work and learn under supervision for at least 12 of the next 24 months.
6
Complete the Nova Scotia Mortgage Broker Education Program and the Regulatory Information Program.
7
Apply for your full Mortgage Broker Licence.

Already licensed elsewhere in Canada?

If you hold an equivalent licence from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, or Saskatchewan, you're exempt from the Nova Scotia education requirement and from the 12-of-24-months associate experience rule. The rest of the eligibility — age, residency, criminal record check, and employment with a licensed brokerage — still applies.

Thinking about a career as a mortgage broker in Nova Scotia?

Team Active Mortgage — part of Mortgage Architects, based in Bedford, Nova Scotia and led by Rahul Bedi — is hiring. We're open to people working toward their Associate Mortgage Broker Licence as well as brokers who are already licensed. Both roles are below, and the full listing lives on our careers page.

Halifax / Bedford, NS

Mortgage Agent / Associate Broker — Nova Scotia

Join Team Active Mortgage under Rahul Bedi and learn the business hands-on — client files, lender submissions, and deal structuring — with direct mentorship from an experienced broker with 325+ 5-star reviews and access to 50+ lenders.

Requirements

19+ and a Canadian resident
Able to pass a criminal record check
Willing to complete the Nova Scotia Associate Mortgage Broker Course, or already holds an equivalent associate-level licence from another province
Based in, or willing to work, the Halifax/Bedford, NS area

How to apply: Email a resume and a short note about why you're interested to admin@activemortgage.ca.

Compensation and structure discussed in interview.

Halifax / Bedford, NS

Licensed Mortgage Broker — Nova Scotia

For an experienced, already-licensed mortgage broker (NS Mortgage Broker Licence or equivalent from another recognized province) looking to grow their business with more support — lead flow, systems, and a 50+ lender panel, under the Mortgage Architects / Team Active Mortgage brand.

Requirements

Current NS Mortgage Broker Licence, or equivalent from a recognized province (AB, BC, MB, NB, ON, QC, SK)
Clean regulatory record

How to apply: Email a resume and a short note about your book of business to admin@activemortgage.ca.

Compensation and structure discussed in interview.

Sources

Licensing requirements, fees, and timelines are set by the province and can change. Always confirm current details with Service Nova Scotia before applying.