Ontario Immigration - Working in Ontario

Work in Your Profession - Multilingual Guide

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As a newcomer to Ontario, you may have many questions. This guide will help you learn more about:

How professions are regulated in Ontario
What is required to enter many professions
How your academic credentials will be assessed
How career maps and bridging training programs can help you
How Ontario is helping newcomers succeed.

Getting started

Most professions in Ontario are self-regulated. That means the professions themselves set their own standards and register members of the profession. Some professions are regulated by law. Doctors and lawyers are two examples of these ‘regulated professions’. Other professions, known as ‘unregulated’ or ‘voluntary’ professions are not regulated by law, but may have voluntary professional bodies.

Regulated professions

In Ontario, the most common method of regulating a profession is through legislation. This legislation establishes a professional body to govern the profession. These professional bodies are often called ‘colleges’. For example, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario governs the medical profession. These regulatory bodies protect the public by:

Setting standards of practice
Setting the requirements for entering the profession
Assessing the qualifications of those who want to enter the profession
Registering qualified members of the profession
Disciplining members, including the right to remove the right to practice the profession.

Regulated professions usually require:

Several years of university or college study
Practical experience under the supervision of a licensed worker in the profession
The successful completion of a licensing examination.

Helping newcomers succeed

The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration is implementing the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act 2006, which is designed to help newcomers enter Ontario’s regulated professions. Through the Act, Global Experience Ontario (GEO), a new Access Centre for Internationally Trained Individuals, has been created. GEO provides information, referrals and other important support to newcomers entering the regulated professions. For more information about GEO, visit the ‘Working’ section of OntarioImmigration.ca.

Entering the regulated professions

Each regulatory body sets its own requirements to enter the profession. These requirements often include:

Evidence of the person’s identity
Evidence of residence in Canada
Minimum educational qualifications
Language ability
Professional or supervised experience
Good character
Successful completion of an examination
Payment of a registration fee

Using professional titles

In some professions, it is illegal to practice the profession, or use the title of the profession, without being registered with a regulatory body. In other professions, there are no restrictions on who can practice the profession, but the professional title may not be used unless the individual is registered with the regulatory body. Some professions, such as engineering and architecture, do allow individuals to work without a license, as long as a licensed practitioner is responsible for the work.

Entering unregulated professions

Some professions are not regulated by law, but may have voluntary professional bodies. Many of these professional bodies offer certification courses, and registration. Registration is often valued within the profession, and is important to finding employment in the field.

Having your academic credentials assessed

Every profession has its own educational requirements. A number of different organizations can assess your schooling and ensure that it meets Ontario’s standards. Many international academic qualifications are assessed in Ontario by World Education Services Canada (WES). You can visit WES at: www.wes.org/ca. However, each regulatory body decides how to assess the qualifications of applicants. It is important to check first with the regulatory body, to see which assessment services are recognized.

Using career maps

Career maps have been developed by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, in partnership with regulatory bodies, to provide step-by-step information on entering a wide variety of occupations. Career maps can help you understand:

Qualifications required to enter the profession
Examinations which may be required
The costs of examination and registration
The work opportunities that exist in the profession

You will find career maps on the ‘Work in Your Profession’ page of OntarioImmigration.ca.

Bridge training: how it can help

Many newcomers to Ontario are highly skilled, and have postsecondary training or education. Bridge training programs have been developed by the government to help these individuals move more quickly into more than 100 trades and professions. Bridge training programs can help you to:

Assess your skills
Upgrade your skills and training
Get work experience in Ontario
Move into your profession without re-learning what you have already learned

These programs have helped to identify and eliminate many barriers for newcomers, and get into trades and professions more quickly. Usually, you will be charged a fee for these programs.

For more information about bridge training programs, visiting the ‘Work in Your Profession’ section of OntarioImmigration.ca.

Learning more

Are you interested in exploring a specific profession? Below is a list of the regulatory bodies for many professions in Ontario.

Architect
Ontario Association of Architects
Tel: 416/565-2724
e-mail: oaamail@oaa.on.ca
http://www.oaa.on.ca

Audiologist and Speech Pathologist
College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
Tel: 416/975-5347 Toll Free (in Ontario) 1-800-993-9459
Email: caslpo@caslpo.com
http://www.caslpo.com

Certified General Accountant
Certified General Accountants Association of Ontario
Tel: 416/322-6520
Email: info@cga-ontario.org
http://www.cga-ontario.org

Certified Management Accountant
The Society of Management Accountants of Ontario
Tel: 416/977-7741
Email: info@CMA-Ontario.org
http://www.cma-ontario.org

Chartered Accountant
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario
Tel: 416/962-1841 Toll Free (in Canada and the U.S.A.) 1-800-387-0735
Email: custserv@icao.on.ca
http://www.icao.on.ca

Chiropodist
College of Chiropodists of Ontario
Tel: 416/542-1333 Toll Free (In Ontario) 1-877-232-7653
Email: info@cocoo.on.ca
http://www.cocoo.on.ca

Chiropractor
College of Chiropractors of Ontario
Tel: 416/922-6355
Email: cco.info@cco.on.ca
http://www.cco.on.ca

Dental Hygienist
College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario
Tel: 416/961-6234 Toll free (in Ontario) 1-800-268-2346
Email: deputyregistrar@cdho.org
http://www.cdho.org

Dental Technologist
College of Dental Technologists of Ontario
Tel: 416/438-5003 Toll Free: 1-877-391-2386
Email: info@cdto.ca
http://www.cdto.ca

Dentist
Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
Tel: 416/961-6555 Toll Free: 1-800-565-4591
Email: info@rcdso.org
http://www.rcdso.org

Denturist
College of Denturists of Ontario
Tel: 416/925-6331 Toll Free: 1-888-236-4326
Email: info@denturists-cdo.com
http://www.denturists-cdo.com

Dietitian
College of Dietitians of Ontario
Tel: 416/598-1725 Toll free 1-800-668-4990
Email: information@cdo.on.ca
http://www.cdo.on.ca

Engineer
Professional Engineers Ontario
Tel: 416/224-1100 Toll Free (Ontario) 1-800-339-3716
Email: academics@peo.on.ca
http://www.peo.on.ca

Engineering Technician or Technologist
Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians & Technologists (OACETT)
Tel: 416/621-9621
Email: info@oacett.org
http://www.oacett.org

Forester
Ontario Professional Foresters Association
Phone: (705) 436-2226
Email: opfa@opfa.com
http://www.opfa.ca

Funeral Director
Board of Funeral Services
Tel: 416/979-5450
Toll Free in Ontario: 1-800-387-4458
Email: info@funeralboard.com
http://www.funeralboard.com

Geoscientist
Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario
Tel: 416-203-2746
Email: info@apgo.net
http://www.apgo.net

Insurance Broker
Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario
Tel: 416/365-1900 Toll Free: 1-800-265-3097
Email: vivian@ribo.com
http://www.ribo.com

Land Surveyor
Association of Ontario Land Surveyors
Tel: 416/491-9020 Toll free 1-800-268-0718
Email: admin@aols.org
http://www.aols.org

Lawyer
Law Society of Upper Canada
Tel: 416/947-3300 Toll Free: 1-800-668-7380
Email: lawsociety@lsuc.on.ca
http://www.lsuc.on.ca

Massage Therapist
College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
Tel: 416/489-2626 Toll Free: 1-800-465-1933
Email: cmto@cmto.com
http://www.cmto.com

Medical Laboratory Technologist
College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
Tel: 416/861-9605 Toll free 1-800-323-9672
Email: mail@cmlto.com
http://www.cmlto.com

Medical Radiation Technologist
College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario
Tel: 416/975-4353 Toll free (in Ontario) 1-800-563-5847
Email: info@cmrto.org
http://www.cmrto.org

Midwife
College of Midwives of Ontario
Tel: 416-640-2252
Email: admin@cmo.on.ca
http://www.cmo.on.ca

Naturopath
Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy-Naturopathy
Tel: (416) 866-8383
E-mail: office@bddth.on.ca
http://www.boardofnaturopathicmedicine.on.ca

Nurse
College of Nurses of Ontario
Tel: 416/928-0900 Toll Free 1-800-387-5526
Email: cno@cnomail.org
http://www.cno.org

Occupational Therapist
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
Tel: 416/214-1177 Toll Free in North America: 1-800-890-6570
Email: info@coto.org
http://www.coto.org

Optician
College of Opticians of Ontario
Tel: 416/368-3616 Toll Free in Ontario: 1-800-990-9793
Email: info@coptont.org
http://www.coptont.org

Optometrist
College of Optometrists of Ontario
Tel: 416/962-4071 Toll Free (in Ontario) 1-888-825-2554
Email: registration@collegeoptom.on.ca
http://www.collegeoptom.on.ca

Physiotherapist
College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
Tel: 416/591-3828 Toll Free in Canada/USA 1-800-583-5885
Email: info@collegept.org
http://www.collegept.org

Pharmacist
Council of the Ontario College of Pharmacists
Tel: 416-962-4861
Email: dcroteau@ocpharma.com
http://www.ocpinfo.com

Physician or Surgeon
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Tel: (416) 967-2603 Toll free 1-800-268-7096
Email: feedback@cpso.on.ca
http://www.cpso.on.ca

Psychologist
College of Psychologists of Ontario
Tel: (416) 961-8817 Toll free 1-800-489-8388
Email: cpo@cpo.on.ca
http://www.cpo.on.ca

Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Council of Ontario
Tel: (416) 207-4800 Toll free 1-800-245-6910
Email: registration@reco.on.ca
http://www.reco.on.ca

Respiratory Therapist
College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario
Tel: 416/591-7800 Toll Free: 1-800-261-0528
Email: crto@crto.on.ca
http://www.crto.on.ca

Social Worker
Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers
Tel: (416) 972-9882 Toll Free: 1-877-828-9380
Email: info@ocswssw.org
http://www.ocswssw.org

Teacher
Ontario College of Teachers
Tel: 416/961-8800
Toll Free: 1 888 534-2222
Email: info@oct.ca
http://www.oct.ca

Veterinarian
College of Veterinarians of Ontario
Tel: 519/824-5600 Toll free 1-800-424-2856
Email: inquiries@cvo.org
http://www.cvo.org

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.