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Writer's pictureAlejandro Gonzalez

Navigating the Canadian licensing and accreditation process.

Updated: Jul 4

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An example of regulated profession is nursing, and skilled trade  such plumbing.
In Canada, there are regulated and not regulated occupations

Are you an engineer, lawyer, doctor, architect, accountant, nurse, physical therapist, odontologist, pharmacist, dentist, truck driver, human resources manager, early childhood educator, or heavy equipment operator and want to immigrate to Canada and practice your profession?


Steps to the accreditation process


Step 1. Understanding the Canadian Employment System:


To work in Canada, you must know if your occupation is regulated or not regulated.

According to Immigration Canada, a regulated occupation is an occupation that is controlled by provincial or territorial and sometimes federal law. The provinces or territories may designate a professional or regulatory body to govern the occupation.


So, you must have a license or certificate for that profession and be registered with the regulatory body to work and use a specific job title associated with that career.


Instead, to perform a non-regulated occupation means that you do not need accreditation or a certificate. Therefore, a license, certificate or professional registration is not required in non-regulated professions to work in that field.


Gladly, most occupations in Canada are non-regulated. The following is a list of some unregulated professions in Ontario:


  • Bookkeepers

  • Construction Estimators

  • Computer Programmers

  • Computer Systems Analysts

  • Economists Economic Policy Researchers, and Analysts

  • Financial and Investment Analysts

  • Financial Managers


Health care employments are in high demand in Canada
Health care employments are in high demand in Canada

In Canada, professions and trades are regulated in each province.


Consequently, there are regulatory bodies (organizations that control licenses and certificates) in each Canadian province and territory.


Be aware that getting a license or certificate is valid in that province. So, when you move to another province, you must apply for a license or certificate again.


Step 2. Find out which organization is responsible for assessing your qualifications and what documents are required to acquire a Certificate of Qualification.


To practice engineering in Canada, you must pass The Professional Practice Examination and get your license from one of Canada's provincial or territorial engineering regulators, and you can contact Canada's Engineering regulators.


Be advised that you can start working in engineering even if you haven’t been licensed by a regulator—as long as you are supervised by a licensed engineer who takes professional responsibility for your work. For more information click here


In Canada, nursing is a profession that includes 3 regulated nursing groups: Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)*, or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN).
In Canada, nursing is a profession that includes 3 regulated nursing groups: Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)*, or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN).


There are three kinds of nurses in Canada: Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs). To practice nursing, you must begin the initial assessment with the National Nursing Assessment Service.


On the other hand, if you are a lawyer you must contact the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA), to get your certificate of qualification, and apply for the bar at the Law Society of your preference.


Canada's legal system is a combination of civil law and common law
Canada's legal system is a combination of civil law and common law

If you are a pharmacist, you must enroll in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada

Once you get the certificate of qualification, you must follow the enrollment process with the province's regulatory body of your choice.



To become a licensed dentist in Canada, you must complete a Certification Process with the National Dental Examining Board of Canada’s (NDEB), and continue the pathway to licensing with the provincial regulatory body.

The average dentist salary in Canada is $208,091 per year or $107 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $126,142 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $225,691 per year.
The average dentist salary in Canada is $208,091 per year or $107 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $126,142 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $225,691 per year ( according to Talent.com)

Meanwhile, teaching credential assessments differ from one province to another. So, contacting the province of your choice would be best for the proper directions.


Here, you can see the Ontario province's process: Teacher in Ontario.

Teaching is a career in demand in Canada
Teaching is a career in demand in Canada

Are you a physiotherapist or assistant educated outside Canada and seeking to practice here? You must complete your assessment with The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) .


Last but not least, to work as a driver, you must have a commercial license, experience, and training for the job. If you are seeking work as a truck driver in Ontario, you must get an AZ license; more information: Drive in Ontario.


The process changes in each province or territory.

Women are seeing driving  buses and trucks in Canada
Women are seeing driving buses and trucks in Canada

Once you find out how to proceed, start gathering all the documentation you need to provide to that organization to be recognized, pay the fee and submit your application.


Be aware that for your credentials to be assessed or for you to obtain certification, it may take several months.


Be mindful that getting your credential assess may not grant you immigration status in Canada
Be mindful that getting your credential assessed may not grant you immigration status in Canada

Step 3. Immigrate to Canada.

Skilled immigrants and refugees worldwide can achieve career success and reach their goals in Canada.


Having your credentials assessed does not grant immigration status in Canada.


So, before embarking on a costly and lengthy process, you are advised to have an immigration consultation to determine your eligibility for one of the Canadian temporary or permanent visas.



We hope this article has been helpful.


 Schedule your immigration assessment:

 


Alejandro Gonzalez is our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Alejandro Gonzalez ( RCIC)

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