| 1. What is a regulated profession?
About 20% of people working in Canada (e.g. nurses, engineers, electricians, teachers) work in regulated occupations.
They are controlled by provincial and territorial (and sometimes federal) law and governed by a professional organization or regulatory body. The regulatory body creates entry requirements and standards of practice, to assess applicants' qualifications and credentials, to certify, register, or license qualified applicants, and to discipline members of the profession/trade. Requirements for entry usually consist of such components as examinations, a specified period of supervised work experience, language competency, etc. Sometimes the requirements are different in each province.
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2. Why are there regulated professions?
This system of regulation allows Canada to ensure the safety of the public by preventing those without proper training from taking jobs where they could cause harm. Another reason for regulation is so that a profession or trade can ensure that all of its members are adequately trained to the desired standards. This helps ensure public safety and consumer protection.
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3. Are regulated professions the same in each province/territory in Canada?
Each province has its own system for regulated professions. Provinces and territories sometimes expect different things from their regulated professionals. In some instances, this means that a person licensed in one province may have to re-apply for a licence in order to work in another province or territory. If you plan on moving to another part of Canada, make sure you find out about that region's system.
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4. How do I know if my profession is regulated?
The Government of Ontario provides an official list for regulated professions in Ontario. http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/working/licensed/ For other provinces, please refer to the provincial government websites.
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5. My profession is regulated. What do I need to do?
If you want to work in a regulated occupation and use a regulated title, you MUST have a licence or certificate or be registered with the regulatory body for your occupation. Some occupations are regulated in certain provinces and territories and are not regulated in others. You must apply to the regulatory body that regulates your profession. They will assess your qualifications. If you qualify, they will license, register, or certify you to practice your profession in Ontario. To find the regulatory body for your profession, please click here for a list.
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6. My profession is regulated. Can I work in my profession without registering or getting a licence?
In some professions, it is against the law to work or use the title of the profession if you are not registered with the regulatory body. In other professions, you can do the work of the profession such as accounting, but you must register if you want to use the title of a chartered accountant, for example.
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7. My profession is not regulated. What do I do to find work?
Please see the next question for information.
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8. What is a non-regulated profession?
About 80% of the Canadian workforce is employed in non-regulated (or unregulated) professions. When you look for work in these professions, it is not necessary for you to be registered or have a special licence from a professional organization.
However, some non-regulated professions have voluntary professional organizations that provide certification courses and registration that could be useful to get work in your profession. Membership in these organizations is not required, although membership can also help you get work in your profession. To find out whether it is useful to participate in these organizations or not, talk to an employment counsellor or someone in your profession.
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9. References and Links
Work Destinations http://workdestinations.org/paged_category_drilldown.jsp?categoryId=41&lang=en Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration -- Getting Licenced http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/working/licensed/ Ontario Regulators for Access http://www.regulators4access.ca/html/regbdylink.htm
Settlement.org -- Employment
http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4000174#reg Canadian Centre for International Credentials http://www.cicic.ca/en/page.aspx?sortcode=2.17.20#2
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