Any Consumer Reporting Agency operating in Nova Scotia which provides consumer reports for gain or profit. (This includes information about a consumer's identity, personal data, credit history, income / assets, health, and mode of living.) Such an agency is often called a Credit Bureau.

This licence does not apply to Commercial Credit Reporting.

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations

(902) 424-5552

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 at this time. 

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

Information you will need to fill out your application form:

Details are required if the applicant or any partner, officer or director has
	had a business licence had a licence refused, suspended or revoked been involved in a personal or corporate bankruptcy unpaid judgments outstanding been convicted of a offence under the law and not been pardoned
Name, address and date of birth for the applicant, partners and officers Three year employment history for the applicant, partners and officers

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

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

The application process includes background checks, a review of the dispute resolution process, and review and approval of the forms used by Consumer Reporting Agencies in their dealings with consumers.  The applicant must submit: 

(a) copies of all consumer-directed forms used by the agency, for approval;
(b) confirmation that they have a place of business in Nova Scotia;
(c) confirmation that they have at least 2 years direct consumer reporting experience;
(d) confirmation that a location exists in the province for private review of a consumer's file.

An inspection of the premises is included as part of the application assessment process.

If all requirements are met and the application is approved, the licence will be mailed to the applicant.

10 business days
Provided that all the items that must accompany the application have been received
(Please allow several extra days for mail delivery.)

This licence is valid for 1 year from the end of the month in which it was issued. It can be renewed; the Department will send out a renewal notice before the licence expires.

Initial Application: $119.96
Annual Renewal: $ 29.71

If you send in an application form, payment is by cheque or money order made out to the Minister of Finance. No credit or debit cards are accepted at this time. 

If you apply on-line, payment is (a) by Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card, or (b) with an already established positive balance account with the Nova Scotia Business Registry. No debit cards are accepted at this time.

The business must be registered with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies .

This licence does not apply to Commercial Credit Reporting.

What is regulated?
1) the process used for resolution of disputes;
2) the forms used by Consumer Reporting Agencies in their dealings with the public;
3) the level of expertise of the licence holder;
4) the information that can be stored, to whom it can be released, and consent / notification requirements.

Consumer Reporting Act, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989, Chapter 93