Parent Information Program (PIP) New Brunswick: What It Is and 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 free online program. In Rule 81 districts, completion certificates may be required before a trial date or final consent order; outside the Rule 81 model, PIP is recommended, but completion is not systematically tracked before trial.

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 program designed to help parents understand the impact of separation on their children.

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. 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.

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. In Rule 81 cases, completion certificates must be filed before a trial date or final consent order; outside the Rule 81 model, completion is recommended but not systematically tracked before trial. Each parent completes the program independently when completion is required.

When to Complete PIP

Complete PIP as early as possible in your separation process. In Rule 81 districts, early completion can prevent an administrative delay before a trial date or final consent order. Outside the Rule 81 model, it remains a recommended educational step. 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? In Rule 81 cases, both parents generally need to complete the course independently and receive their own certificates. Outside the Rule 81 model, completion is recommended but is not systematically tracked before trial. You don't take the course together.

What if my ex refuses to complete PIP? In a Rule 81 case, failing to complete the program can delay a trial date or final consent order until the required certificates are filed. Outside the Rule 81 model, PIP is not systematically tracked before trial.

Does PIP apply to common-law parents? If you're filing a parenting application in a Rule 81 district, PIP completion may be required before a trial date or final consent order, whether you were married or not. In other districts, PIP is recommended but not systematically tracked before trial.

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 Rule 73 standalone parenting applications, Rule 72 divorce proceedings, and Rule 81 judicial districts.

See more New Brunswick guides →