Parent Information Program (PIP) in New Brunswick: How to Complete It

If you're going through a separation or divorce involving children in New Brunswick, the Parent Information Program (PIP) is a mandatory step in the court process. It's free, it's online, and it's not difficult — but you need to complete it and submit your Certificate of Completion before the court will process your parenting matter.

What PIP Is

The Parent Information Program is a free online course run by the New Brunswick Department of Justice and Public Safety. It's designed to help separating parents understand:

• How separation affects children at different developmental stages
• The new family law terminology (decision-making responsibility, parenting time)
• How to minimize conflict and protect children from parental disputes
• The court process and available support services
• Age-appropriate parenting schedule considerations
• Communication strategies to reduce exposure to parental conflict

The course uses video content developed in partnership with Nova Scotia (the two provinces share similar programs) and covers topics like co-parenting communication, the emotional impact of separation on children, and practical strategies for reducing family conflict.

The program is separate from mediation or legal advice — it's an educational requirement designed to ensure both parents understand the impact of separation on their children before the court processes their case.

How to Complete PIP

Step 1: Register Online

Access the PIP course through the New Brunswick Department of Justice website. Registration requires basic personal information and your court file number (if you have one). The course is entirely online — no in-person attendance required.

Step 2: Complete the Course Content

The program has three parts with video modules and educational content. You can complete it at your own pace, stopping and resuming as needed. Most parents finish within 2-4 hours.

Step 3: Pass the Quiz

At the end of the course, you take a multiple-choice quiz. The passing score is 60%. The questions are based directly on the video content and course materials — if you've watched the videos attentively, you should pass on the first attempt.

Step 4: Get Your Certificate

Once you pass the quiz, you receive a Certificate of Completion. File this certificate with the court as part of your family law proceeding. Both parents need to complete PIP independently.

When to Complete PIP

Complete PIP as early as possible in your separation process. The court requires it, and completing it early demonstrates to the court that you're taking the parenting transition seriously. It also gives you useful context for drafting your parenting plan — the course covers many of the same concepts (parenting schedules, decision-making, communication protocols) that you'll need to address.

Some parents find the course content genuinely helpful for understanding what their children need during separation, particularly the sections on age-appropriate parenting schedules and managing transitions between households.

Common Questions About PIP

Do both parents have to complete it? Yes. Each parent must complete the course independently and receive their own Certificate of Completion. You don't take the course together.

What if my ex refuses to complete PIP? The court can draw adverse inferences from a parent's refusal to complete the program. It doesn't look good when one parent takes the mandatory steps and the other doesn't. In some cases, the court may delay proceedings until PIP is completed.

Does PIP apply to common-law parents? Yes. If you're filing any parenting application through the Court of King's Bench, Family Division — whether you were married or not — PIP is expected as part of the process.

Can I complete PIP from outside New Brunswick? Yes. The course is entirely online, so parents who have moved out of province can still complete it.

What if I fail the quiz? You can retake it. The 60% threshold is not particularly difficult if you've engaged with the video content. Most parents pass on the first attempt.

PIP and the Broader Court Process

PIP is one piece of the NB family court process. For a complete roadmap — from initial filing through the Parent Information Program to your final parenting order — the New Brunswick Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide walks through every step with the forms, fees, and deadlines for both Rule 72 and Rule 81 judicial districts.

See more New Brunswick guides →