Ontario Immigration - Working in Ontario

Work in Your Profession

Academic Credential Assessment Services

Educational requirements differ for every profession and trade, and there are a number of different organizations that assess someone's schooling to ensure it meets Ontario's standards.

Each regulatory body in Ontario decides how to assess an applicant's academic credentials. Some educational institutions and occupational regulatory bodies have their own academic assessment processes. Some use the services of a Credential Assessment Service.

Before you apply to a professional regulatory body for licensure or certification, check with them about their requirements and how they assess academic credentials.

You should also check with potential employers and/or schools to see if they have a preferred credential assessment service.

Find your profession

Find your trade

Ontario Services

Foreign Credentials Referral Office

The Foreign Credentials Referral Office provides internationally trained and educated individuals authoritative and accurate information on the Canadian labour market and Canada’s credential assessment processes. It also provides path-finding and referral services to immigrants. These services are offered overseas and in Canada to help immigrants apply their skills and credentials in the Canadian labour market.

World Education Services – Canada

World Education Services – Canada (WES-Canada)
2 Carlton Street, Suite 1400
Toronto ON M5B 1J3
Tel: 416-972-0070 or 1-866-343-0070
Fax: 416-972-9004

WES-Canada converts foreign secondary and post-secondary educational qualifications into their Ontario equivalents. Document-by-document, course-by-course or customized reports are available for educational, immigration, licensing or employment purposes. Services and assessment reports are available in English and French.

Comparative Education Service

Comparative Education Service
School of Continuing Studies
158 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2V8
Tel: (416) 978-2400
Fax: (416) 978-2185

The Comparative Education Service (CES) of the University of Toronto provides assessments of international academic qualifications and compares them to those offered in Canada, which helps employers to better understand its clients' credentials. Evaluates credentials for employment purposes. Services are available in French, but assessment reports are available in English only.

International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS) of Canada

ICAS of Canada
Ontario AgriCentre,
100 Stone Road West, Suite 303
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5L3
Tel: (519) 763-7282
Toll Free (in Canada): 1-800-321-6021
Fax: (519) 763-6964

Evaluates all documents at any educational level for assistance with employment, educational or career planning. General, detailed and customized reports are available to meet all needs. Reports are available in English and French.

Credential Assessment Services – Other Links

Individuals who are applying to professional regulatory bodies for licensure or certification should contact the regulatory body for their profession or trade to check which assessment service is recognized.

Settlement.org: Evaluating Educational Credentials
This page, on Settlement.org's public web site, contains information on academic credential assessment.

Assessment and recognition of credentials for the purpose of employment in Canada
This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked questions to help individuals learn more about how to obtain assessment and recognition of their qualifications.

Back to the Work in Your Profession page

Do you have questions about working in your profession or trade? If so, ask OntarioImmigration.ca.

What is a temporary work permit and how can I get one?

Temporary work permits are used to give you permission to work for a specific period of time with an employer in Ontario. You must obtain this permit before entering Canada. Your Canadian employer will be required to consult with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You may also be interested in the Ontario's Multinational Employee Transfer.
How do I find a job in Ontario?

You can access job offers, wage information, job demand and skills requirements with the Working in Canada tool. You may also benefit from labour market information that will provide you with current market trends. Employment Ontario funds a variety of services to help you in your job search. Jobs are also advertised in newspapers, on websites and through local employment agencies.
How can I get my education, professional credentials and skills assessed?

You can find information on education and credential assessment on our site and learn about Ontario's professional licensing bodies. You may also want to know about apprenticeship program to work in the trades and about bridge training programs to enter the Canadian market.
Where can I get job-specific training?

The Ontario government supports Bridge Training programs to help newcomers get their license or certificate in their profession or trade, so that they can work in Ontario. Find out more about these job-specific training.
What jobs and professions are in demand in Ontario?

You can use the Working in Canada tool for wage information, job demand and skills requirements in Canada. You can also find labour market information for Ontario including current market trends.
What should I do if an employer wants to hire me to work in Ontario?

You must either be a permanent resident or have a work permit in order to work in Ontario. You are also required to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). It may also be necessary to have your international academic credentials assessed and recognized.
What are my rights in the Ontario workplace?

The Employment Standards Act, 2000, known as the ESA, is a law that sets minimum standards in employment for fair workplace practices in Ontario. You can find Employment Standards information on many languages. You may find the frequently asked questions and the Guide to the Employment Standards Act published on the Ministry of Labour's site very useful.
Where can I get information on professional associations and regulatory bodies?

In Ontario, each regulated profession has its own regulatory body. You will find informaton on regulated professions and their regulatory bodies on our site by choosing your profession in the left navigation bar.
Where can I go to improve my English?

Basic English language assessment and instruction for adults is available in Ontario. School boards also deliver English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for children and non-credit programs for adults. Use our language class wizard to find an English language training program near you.
What programs are available if I want to upgrade or improve my education?

Adults who want to earn a high school diploma in Ontario may do so by attending classes through local school boards. Adults may also earn a high school diploma by studying at home through the Ontario Government's Independent Learning Centre. Universities and community colleges accept mature post-secondary students and will often offer continuing education programs.