NSNP calculator: Nova Scotia Nominee Program eligibility
Nova Scotia doesn't score worker candidates on points, so instead of a score this checks your CELPIP levels and age against the minimums of each Nova Scotia Nominee Program worker stream, following the stream guides dated September 2026.
Your CELPIP levels
Don't know your TEER? The NOC code finder shows it from your job duties.
Nova Scotia worker streams
- Skilled Worker (CLB 5, age 21–55)Meets language and age
- Nova Scotia Graduate (CLB 5, age 19–55)Meets language and age
- Nova Scotia: Express Entry (work in Nova Scotia) (CLB 5, age 21–55)Meets language and age
Skilled Worker also needs:
- A permanent, full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer that has operated in the province for 2 years
- 12 months (1,560 hours) of paid work related to the job in the last 5 years; TEER 4 and 5 also need 6 months with that employer
- A high school diploma
- TEER 0–3 applicants whose first language is English or French don't need a test
Nova Scotia Graduate also needs:
- A job offer in NOC 32102, 32124, 33102 or 42202 that matches your field of study
- A program of at least 30 weeks (24 for nurse aides) completed at a Nova Scotia institution in the last 3 years
- Required certification from the Nova Scotia regulator
Nova Scotia: Express Entry (work in Nova Scotia) also needs:
- An Express Entry profile that selects Nova Scotia and meets a federal program
- 1,560 hours of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Nova Scotia in the 3 years before the EOI
- High school or post-secondary education, and settlement funds for your family size
Nova Scotia publishes no points score for these streams: it selects expressions of interest by occupation, region and labour market need, with health care and skilled trades first.
How Nova Scotia selects candidates
Every NSNP submission is an expression of interest (EOI) in a pool. Nova Scotia draws from it at its discretion, looking at labour market needs, occupation or sector priorities, how likely you are to stay, where in Nova Scotia you'll work, your immigration status in Canada, its allocation and the size of the pool. Selections are not first come, first served, and there is no cutoff score to beat.
Its published priorities put health care and skilled trades (TEER 0–4) first. A one-time expansion in July 2026 also considered candidates whose work permit expires in 2026 who graduated in Nova Scotia, live outside Halifax, or earn at least $27 an hour (or $20 an hour in a TEER 0–2 sales and service job).
| Month | Selected |
|---|---|
| January | 363 |
| February | 357 |
| March | 370 |
| April | 161 |
| May | 789 |
| June | 531 |
| July | 671 |
See the latest counts on Nova Scotia's EOI selection page and every stream on the Nova Scotia Nominee Program page.
Language minimums by stream
| Stream | TEER 0–1 | TEER 2–3 | TEER 4–5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | CLB 5 | CLB 5 | CLB 4 |
| Nova Scotia Graduate (four health and child care jobs) | Not open | CLB 5 | Not open |
| Nova Scotia: Express Entry (work in Nova Scotia) | CLB 7 | CLB 5 | Not open |
CELPIP General is accepted, and a CELPIP 5 in each skill is CLB 5. Skilled Worker applicants in TEER 0–3 whose first language is English or French don't need a test; TEER 4–5 applicants always do. The Physician and Letter of Interest categories follow their own rules, and the Entrepreneur stream needs CLB 5.
Where CELPIP fits
For Nova Scotia's worker streams your CELPIP result is a pass mark: one skill below the minimum rules you out, however strong the rest. Check every section with the free diagnostic, and if you're in Express Entry, see your CRS language points with the CELPIP score calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does the NSNP have a points calculator?
Not for workers. The Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Graduate and Nova Scotia: Express Entry streams have no published points grid or score. Nova Scotia selects expressions of interest from its pool by labour market need, occupation, region, likelihood of staying and immigration status. Only the Entrepreneur stream ranks candidates on points.
What are the NSNP streams in 2026?
Since February 18, 2026 there are four: Skilled Worker (which now includes the Critical Construction Worker, Physician and Occupations in Demand categories), Nova Scotia Graduate (formerly International Graduates in Demand), Nova Scotia: Express Entry (which absorbed Nova Scotia Experience and Labour Market Priorities) and Entrepreneur.
What CLB do I need for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program?
Skilled Worker needs CLB 5 in every skill for TEER 0–3 jobs and CLB 4 for TEER 4–5. Nova Scotia Graduate needs CLB 5. Nova Scotia: Express Entry for work in Nova Scotia needs CLB 7 for TEER 0–1 and CLB 5 for TEER 2–3. A CELPIP level is the same CLB level, and tests must be under two years old.
Which occupations does Nova Scotia select first?
Health care and skilled trades at TEER 0–4, for candidates abroad and temporary residents in Nova Scotia. Temporary residents already working in Nova Scotia are also considered in natural and applied sciences, education, law and social services, natural resources and agriculture, and manufacturing. TEER 5 jobs are not a priority at this time.
Does it cost anything to apply to the NSNP?
Submitting an expression of interest is free. Since September 1, 2026, Nova Scotia charges $1,000 for the worker streams ($2,000 for Entrepreneur) once you are selected, and the fee isn't refundable.
Does a higher CELPIP score help in Nova Scotia?
For the worker streams, language is a pass mark, not points: meeting the minimum is what counts. If you're in Express Entry, a higher score still adds CRS points, and a Nova Scotia nomination adds 600 more.
Other points calculators
- BC PNP points calculator (British Columbia)
- OINP points calculator (Ontario)
- MPNP points calculator (Manitoba)
- AAIP points calculator (Alberta)
- CELPIP score calculator (CLB and Express Entry CRS points)
- New CRS points calculator (Express Entry changes on November 3, 2026)
- NOC code finder (find the NOC 2021 code for your job)
This calculator is an estimate from the published Nova Scotia Nominee Program grid, not legal advice or an official assessment. The province scores your registration from the evidence you submit and can change its grid or draw rules at any time. CELPass is an independent CELPIP practice platform, not affiliated with any government or with Paragon Testing Enterprises.