With this Licence, there are two different ways to submit your application form: 

A) You can send in a hard copy. You can get a form by: 
       (1) downloading a form from our website; 
       (2) visiting any Access Nova Scotia Centre; or 
       (3) calling or writing the office listed above. 

B) You can fill it out on-line. To do this, you must be able to pay as follows: 
       (1) by Visa, MasterCard or American Express Credit Card; or 
       (2) with an already established positive balance account with the Nova Scotia Business Registry. 
       We cannot accept any form of Debit cards online at this time. 

If you wish to apply on-line, please make sure you have at hand the information listed below, then  click here to begin.

Information you will need to fill out your application form:

You can get a Licensing Guide from any Access Nova Scotia Centre or from the Business Licensing Section listed above.

Applications for a Collector Licence must be signed by the employer, who must be an officer (or designate) of a licensed collection agency. 

The completed application is submitted to the Department, along with the applicable fee (see Price below).

If you apply online, you will be mailed a completed version of the application form for you to sign and in order for you to have the Certificate of Employer or Sponsor section of the application completed by an officer (or designate) of the company you will be representing.  You may then return the application by mail, or in person to either the Business Licensing Section or to any Access Nova Scotia Centre.

The application process includes background checks and suitability evaluations.

If all requirements are met and the application is approved, the licence will be sent to the employer by mail.

(Please allow several extra days for mail delivery.)

Note: A Collector Licence can be issued immediately through the temporary licensing system to a person who presents a completed application, in person, at any Access Nova Scotia location and meet the license criteria.

Payment Options
Online
Payment for new applications only (not renewals) may be submitted online by visiting http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/nsbr/entry.asp
-credit card payment only - (Visa, Master Card or American Express), or with an already established positive balance account with the Nova Scotia Business Registry.

In person
Business Licensing Section - 8th Floor (South), 1505 Barrington St., Maritime Centre, Halifax
- Cheque, Bank Draft or Credit Card (Visa, Master Card or American Express)

Drop Off
Any Access Nova Scotia Centre
- Cash, Cheque, Bank Draft or Credit Card (Visa, Master Card or American Express)

By Mail
Business Licensing Section - P.O. Box 2723, Halifax, NS  B3J 3P7
- Cheque, Money Order, Bank Draft or Credit Card (Visa, Master Card or American Express)

All cheques, money orders and bank drafts should be made payable to the Minister of Finance.

Who is regulated under the Collection Agencies Act,?
1) Collection agencies : that is, any firm whose business is dealing with the debtor of another business (or person) by arranging for the payment of the debts which that debtor owes to that business (or person) -- or any firm which sells forms or letters that are a collection scheme;

2) Collectors : that is, any people employed by (or appointed by) a collection agency to (a) solicit business for the agency; or, (b) collect debts for the agency; or, (c) trace debtors.

What is regulated under the Collection Agencies Act,?
1) The activities of collectors in their dealings with debtors - A code of conduct is contained in the Act.
2) All forms and form letters used by Collection Agencies for the purpose of collecting debts.
3) The method by which monies received by Collection Agencies are maintained.
4) The level of expertise of managers / owners of Collection Agencies.