Business, non-profit and self-employed
Registrations
How to register your business or non-profit with Registry of Joint Stock Companies. Most businesses and non-profits need to register before they start operating.
Register for bulk vendor status under the Your Energy Rebate Program to provide point-of-sale rebates.
Register as a vehicle appraiser with the Provincial Tax Commission. A licensed dealer is automatically recognized as a vehicle appraiser.
Accommodations marketing platforms (like Expedia and Airbnb) need to register with the Tourist Accommodations Registry if they facilitate the rental of tourist accommodations in Nova Scotia.
Most tourist accommodations need to register with the Tourist Accommodations Registry to operate in Nova Scotia.
Register as a supplier to supply Casino Nova Scotia with products and services.
Permits and licences
Apply for an Agent Agreement (Fuel Wholesaler) to wholesale gasoline, diesel oil and propane.
Apply for an Agent of Lender Permit to act as an agent for a lender in arranging loans for consumers in Nova Scotia.
Apply for a Cemetery and Cemetery Sales Licence if your company sells cemetery lots or cemetery lots and pre-need cemetery plans.
Apply for a Cemetery and Funeral Services Salesperson Licence to sell cemetery lots, pre-need cemetery plans or pre-arranged funeral plans.
Collection agencies need a Collection Agency Licence to employ people to collect debt in Nova Scotia on behalf of other companies.
Apply for a Collector Licence if you’re employed by a collection agency to trace debtors or collect debt in Nova Scotia.
Apply for a Consumer Reporting Agency Permit if your business provides consumer reports for gain or profit.
Retail stores on reserves need a Designated Tobacco Retail Vendor’s Permit to sell tobacco products tax-free to First Nation customers.
Apply for a Direct Seller Company Permit if your company has representatives making direct sales to people outside a retail outlet.
Businesses need a Film Exchange Licence to distribute videos and video games to retailers in Nova Scotia.
Bulk plants, bulk stations and terminals need a Bulk Vendor Permit to store gasoline or diesel oil in storage tanks.
Apply for a Funeral Home or Crematorium Licence to provide funeral services or merchandise to the public.
Apply for a Clearance Certificate to sell your entire tobacco inventory (stock) in a bulk sale.
Apply for a Hearing Aid Dealer Permit if you’re a company that tests, fits and sells hearing aids and accessories to the public.
Apply for a Hearing Aid Salesperson Permit to test, fit and sell hearing aids and accessories to the public.
Nova Scotia-based carriers operating motor vehicles in multiple jurisdictions need an IFTA Licence.
Apply for a Lender Permit if you lend money or provide financing to consumers in Nova Scotia.
Mortgage brokers need a Mortgage Broker Permit to do business in Nova Scotia.
Mortgage lenders need a Mortgage Lender Permit to do business in Nova Scotia.
Payday lenders need a Payday Lender Permit to offer, arrange or provide loans under $1,500 with a term of 62 days or less.
Tobacco wholesale vendors need a Permit to Purchase and Sell Unstamped Tobacco to buy and sell unmarked tobacco products.
Movie theatres and drive-ins need a Place of Amusement Licence to operate.
Apply for a Prearranged Funeral Plan Sales Company Licence if you’re a company that sells prearranged funeral plans to the public.
Tobacco manufacturers need a Tobacco Manufacturer Permit to manufacture tobacco products for distribution, sale or storage in Nova Scotia.
Retail stores need a Tobacco Retail Vendor’s Permit to sell tobacco products.
You need a Tobacco Wholesale Vendor’s Permit to sell, store and distribute tobacco products to retailers.
Fuel retailers need a Vendor Permit to sell gasoline, diesel oil and propane.
Alcohol licensing
Organizations with a Ferment-on-premises Licence need to submit an annual production report.
Businesses, societies and non-profits with a liquor licence need to apply for approval to renovate their establishment or make changes to the floor plan.
Eating establishments need a Caterer Extension to serve alcohol at an offsite event they’re catering.
Societies, non-profits and other organizations with club facilities need a Club Liquor Licence to serve alcohol to members and their guests.
Permanent Liquor Licence applicants and new managers at establishments with a Permanent Liquor Licence may need a criminal record check as part of the liquor licensing process.
Establishments with a Permanent Liquor Licence need to notify the Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division if they want to host entertainment.
Criteria that establishments with Permanent Liquor Licences need to meet to qualify for extending their hours of operation.
Facilities that allow their customers to produce their own beer, wine or cider onsite need a Ferment-on-premises Licence.
Licensed cabarets, lounges and beverage rooms need to apply to have an underage performer approved to perform.
Collection of forms and documents for liquor licences.
Businesses, societies and non-profits with a liquor licence need to apply for approval to move their liquor licence to a new location.
Approval process for assessing eligibility for a patio or patio extension for an establishment with a Permanent Liquor Licence.
Businesses, societies and non-profits need a Permanent Liquor Licence to serve alcohol by the glass.
Establishments with a Permanent Liquor Licence need to apply to have a new manager approved.
Criteria private clubs need to meet to qualify for a charitable lottery licence or permit.
When the Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division conducts public consultations and how the process works.
Apply to get approval to move a Ferment-on-Premises Licence to a new facility.
Individuals and organizations need a Special Occasion Liquor Licence to serve or sell alcohol at an event.
Permanent Liquor Licence holders need a Special Occasion Liquor Licence (class 4) to temporarily serve alcohol in an area adjacent to the licensed premises.
Societies, non-profits and other organizations with a Club Liquor Licence need a Special Occasion Liquor Licence (class 4) to temporarily serve alcohol in an area adjacent to the licensed premises or at a private event.
Collection of forms and documents for Special Occasion Liquor Licences.
How to get a Special Occasion Liquor Licence and what you need to know once you have one.
Businesses, societies and non-profits that buy a licensed establishment need to apply for approval to transfer the liquor licence to their name or company name.
Apply to transfer a Ferment-on-premises Licence to your name if you’re buying a facility where customers can make their own beer, wine or cider.
Types of events minors are allowed to attend where alcohol is served.
Gaming licensing
Apply for access to re-enter Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax and Sydney after voluntary exclusion (banning yourself).
Charitable Bingo Lottery Licence holders need to submit a Bingo Financial Report for a series of bingo games with total yearly prizes over $30,000 or a single bingo game with total prizes over $2,500.
Charities, religious organizations and non-profit community organizations need a Breakopen Ticket Licence to sell breakopen tickets.
Charities, religious organizations and non-profit community organizations with a Breakopen Ticket Licence need to submit a Breakopen Ticket Report each year.
Charities, religious organizations and non-profit community organizations need a Charitable Bingo Lottery Licence to run a series of bingo games with yearly prizes over $30,000 or a single bingo game with prizes over $2,500.
Charities, religious organizations and non-profit community organizations need a Charitable Bingo Lottery Licence to run a series of bingo games with yearly prizes under $30,000.
Charities, religious organizations and non-profit community organizations need a Charitable Bingo Lottery Licence to run a single bingo event with total prizes under $2,500.
Rules around ticket lottery prizes including what prizes qualify and how the value of the prize needs to be the same as advertised.
Charities, religious organizations and non-profit community organizations need a Games of Chance Lottery Licence to offer games of chance.
Commercial carnivals need a Games of Chance Lottery Licence to offer games of chance.
Collection of forms and documents for gaming licences.
How to get gaming licences and what you need to know once you have one.
Licensing conditions that organizations need to meet when running a chase the ace style lottery.
Seniors complexes and manors need a Manor Bingo Permit to run bingo games for residents and their guests.
Charities, religious organizations and non-profits running bingos on the radio or on TV with total yearly prizes over $30,000 need to submit a Media Bingo Monthly Report each month.
Guidelines that all ticket lotteries need to follow when running a ticket lottery.
Charities, religious organizations and non-profit community organizations need a Ticket Lottery Licence to run a ticket raffle with total prizes valued at over $4,000.
Charities, religious organizations and non-profit community organizations need a Ticket Lottery Permit to run a series of ticket raffles with total prizes valued at $4,000 and under.
Charities, religious organizations and non-profit community organizations need a Ticket Lottery Permit to run a single draw ticket raffle with total prizes valued at $4,000 and under.
What fundraising activities require a Ticket Lottery Licence or permit and how charitable and non-profit organizations can apply.
Charities, religious organizations and non-profit community organizations running raffles with prizes over $4,000 need to submit a Ticket Lottery Report within 30 days of the draw or each year.
Voluntarily ban yourself from Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax and Sydney by using the Voluntary Self-exclusion Form.
More information
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