Professional Licensing and Regulated Occupations in Canada: A Newcomer Guide
By WelcomeAide Team
Quick Summary
- About 20% of jobs in Canada are in regulated occupations that require a licence or certification
- Regulated occupations are governed by provincial or territorial regulatory bodies, not the federal government
- Common regulated professions include engineers, nurses, doctors, teachers, electricians, lawyers, and accountants
- Each regulatory body has its own application process, exams, and experience requirements
- Language proficiency (usually CLB 7 or higher) is required for most regulated professions
- Alternative career paths and bridging programs exist for those who face barriers to full licensure
What Are Regulated Occupations in Canada?
In Canada, a regulated occupation is a profession or trade where you must hold a licence, certification, or registration from a regulatory body before you can legally use a professional title or perform certain tasks. These regulations exist to protect public safety and ensure that professionals meet minimum standards of competence.
Approximately 20% of jobs in the Canadian labour market are in regulated occupations. If your profession is regulated, you cannot simply start working when you arrive in Canada. You must first go through the licensing process for your specific profession in the province or territory where you plan to work. This is separate from the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) required for immigration purposes.
Understanding whether your occupation is regulated in Canada, and what the licensing steps are, is one of the most important things you can do before or immediately after arriving. Many newcomers are surprised to learn that they cannot practise their profession right away, even with years of experience and a job offer.
Regulated vs. Non-Regulated Occupations
| Feature | Regulated Occupation | Non-Regulated Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Licence required? | Yes, from a provincial/territorial regulatory body | No licence required by law |
| Who sets the standards? | Provincial/territorial regulatory bodies | Employers set their own hiring standards |
| Can you use the professional title? | Only after licensing | No restricted title |
| Exams required? | Usually yes | Generally no |
| Examples | Doctor, nurse, engineer, electrician, teacher, lawyer, pharmacist | Software developer, graphic designer, project manager, marketing specialist, writer |
Did you know?
Some occupations are regulated in one province but not in another. For example, the requirements for certain trades and professions can differ between British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and other provinces. Always check the specific requirements in the province where you plan to work.
Common Regulated Professions by Province
Below is a list of commonly regulated professions and the types of regulatory bodies involved. Note that the specific regulatory body varies by province.
Healthcare Professions
| Profession | BC Regulatory Body | Ontario Regulatory Body |
|---|---|---|
| Physician / Doctor | College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC | College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario |
| Registered Nurse | BC College of Nurses and Midwives | College of Nurses of Ontario |
| Pharmacist | College of Pharmacists of BC | Ontario College of Pharmacists |
| Dentist | College of Dental Surgeons of BC | Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario |
| Physiotherapist | College of Physical Therapists of BC | College of Physiotherapists of Ontario |
Engineering and Technical Professions
| Profession | BC Regulatory Body | Alberta Regulatory Body |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) | Engineers and Geoscientists BC | APEGA |
| Architect | Architectural Institute of BC | Alberta Association of Architects |
| Land Surveyor | Association of BC Land Surveyors | ALSA |
Skilled Trades
Skilled trades in BC are regulated by the SkilledTradesBC (formerly the Industry Training Authority). Compulsory trades, meaning those that require certification to practise, include:
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Gas fitter
- Sheet metal worker
- Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic
- Steamfitter/pipefitter
Other trades, such as carpentry and welding, may not require mandatory certification in BC but having a Red Seal certification significantly improves your employment prospects and allows you to work across provinces.
Other Regulated Professions
- Teacher: Regulated by the BC Teacher Regulation Branch
- Lawyer: Regulated by the Law Society of British Columbia
- Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA): Regulated by CPA British Columbia
- Real estate agent: Regulated by the BC Financial Services Authority
- Immigration consultant: Regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) at the federal level
The Licensing Process: General Steps
While every regulated profession has its own specific requirements, the general licensing process for internationally trained professionals follows a similar pattern:
Step 1: Verify That Your Occupation Is Regulated
Use the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) to check if your occupation is regulated in the province where you plan to work. CICIC provides a searchable database of regulated professions and the associated regulatory bodies.
Step 2: Contact the Regulatory Body
Reach out to the regulatory body for your profession in your target province. Request information about their application process for internationally trained professionals. Most regulatory bodies have specific pathways and documentation requirements for international applicants.
Step 3: Submit Your Credentials for Assessment
The regulatory body will assess your education, training, and work experience against Canadian standards. This assessment is separate from the ECA you may have obtained for immigration purposes through WES or IQAS. The regulatory body may require you to provide additional documentation, such as course syllabi, clinical hours records, or detailed work experience descriptions.
Step 4: Meet Language Requirements
Most regulated professions require you to demonstrate English or French language proficiency. The minimum requirement is typically CLB 7 or higher, though some professions require CLB 8 or 9. You will need to take an approved language test such as IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, or TEF Canada.
| Profession | Typical Minimum Language Requirement |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | CLB 7 (IELTS 6.0 in each band) |
| Physician | Varies; many programs require IELTS 7.0+ |
| Professional Engineer | CLB 7 or demonstrated through work/education |
| Teacher | CLB 8 or equivalent |
| Pharmacist | CLB 8 (IELTS 6.5-7.0 per band) |
| Electrician | CLB 5-7 depending on province |
Step 5: Complete Required Exams
Most regulated professions require you to pass one or more licensing exams. These exams test your knowledge of Canadian standards, practices, regulations, and in some cases, the specific laws and codes of your province. Examples include:
- Engineers: Professional Practice Examination (PPE) covering Canadian law and professional ethics
- Nurses: NCLEX-RN (for registered nurses) or CPNRE (for licensed practical nurses)
- Physicians: MCCQE Part I and Part II
- Accountants: Common Final Examination (CFE)
- Electricians: Interprovincial Red Seal Examination
Step 6: Gain Canadian Experience (If Required)
Some professions require a period of supervised practice in Canada before granting full licensure. For doctors, this means completing a residency. For engineers, it may mean working under the supervision of a licensed P.Eng. Some regulatory bodies offer provisional or restricted licences that allow you to gain this experience.
Step 7: Receive Your Licence
Once you have met all requirements, the regulatory body issues your licence, certification, or registration. You can then legally practise your profession and use the protected professional title.
Tip:
Start the licensing process as early as possible, ideally before you arrive in Canada. Many regulatory bodies accept applications from abroad, and gathering documents from your home country is much easier while you are still there. Contact the regulatory body directly to ask about their international applicant process.
The Red Seal Program for Skilled Trades
The Red Seal Program is a national standard of excellence for skilled tradespeople in Canada. If you hold a Red Seal endorsement, your trade certification is recognized across all provinces and territories, allowing you to work anywhere in Canada without additional testing.
There are over 50 Red Seal trades, including electrician, plumber, welder, carpenter, cook, and automotive service technician. To earn a Red Seal, you must pass the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Examination. Internationally trained tradespeople can apply to write the exam through their provincial trades authority.
In British Columbia, SkilledTradesBC manages the trades certification process. They offer a Trade Equivalency Assessment (TEA) for internationally trained tradespeople to have their qualifications evaluated against BC standards.
Alternative Career Paths
The licensing process for regulated professions can be long and expensive. Many newcomers face barriers such as difficulty obtaining residency positions (for doctors), high exam costs, or the need for additional education. If full licensure is not immediately achievable, consider these alternative approaches:
Related Non-Regulated Roles
Many regulated professions have related roles that do not require the same level of licensing. For example:
| Regulated Profession | Alternative Non-Regulated or Lower-Barrier Roles |
|---|---|
| Physician | Clinical research coordinator, health policy analyst, medical lab technologist assistant, public health officer |
| Lawyer | Paralegal, legal researcher, compliance analyst, immigration case worker |
| Professional Engineer | Engineering technologist, project coordinator, technical writer, quality assurance analyst |
| Teacher | Teaching assistant, tutor, education program coordinator, ESL instructor (some positions) |
| Accountant (CPA) | Bookkeeper, accounts payable/receivable clerk, financial analyst (some positions) |
Bridging Programs
As described in our foreign credential recognition guide, bridging programs help internationally trained professionals meet Canadian licensing standards. These programs are often partially or fully funded by the government and can significantly shorten the path to licensure.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Some Provincial Nominee Programs have streams specifically for workers in high-demand occupations, including healthcare professionals and skilled tradespeople. A provincial nomination not only helps with permanent residence (adding 600 CRS points through Express Entry) but can also connect you with employer networks and settlement support. See our BC PNP guide for details.
Resources for Internationally Trained Professionals
- ESDC Foreign Credential Recognition Program: Federal funding and information for credential recognition
- Job Bank: Search for jobs and check occupation requirements by province
- ISSofBC: Settlement and employment services for newcomers in BC
- MOSAIC: Skills Connect and employment programs for internationally trained professionals
- WelcomeBC: Provincial settlement information including work and licensing guides
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming your licence transfers automatically: Professional licences from other countries are not automatically recognized in Canada. You must go through the licensing process for your province
- Confusing an ECA with professional licensing: An ECA from WES or IQAS is for immigration purposes. Professional licensing is a separate process through your profession's regulatory body
- Not researching before arriving: Research your profession's requirements before you move. This allows you to gather documents and start applications from your home country
- Ignoring alternative paths: If full licensure will take years, work in a related field to gain Canadian experience and income while pursuing your licence
- Not using free settlement services: Settlement agencies offer free employment counselling and can connect you with bridging programs and mentors in your profession
Important:
Be cautious of any person or company that promises to guarantee you a licence or fast-track the licensing process for a fee. The licensing process is managed by provincial regulatory bodies, and there are no legitimate shortcuts. If you need help, work with a regulated immigration consultant or lawyer, or contact your settlement agency. Read our job search guide for legitimate employment support resources.
Take the Next Step in Your Professional Journey
Understanding how regulated occupations work in Canada is essential for planning your career as a newcomer. The licensing process takes time and effort, but thousands of internationally trained professionals successfully obtain their Canadian credentials every year. Start by identifying your occupation's regulatory body, gathering your documents, and connecting with settlement agencies that offer employment support for newcomers.
WelcomeAide is here to help you navigate professional licensing and settlement in Canada. Our AI Newcomer Navigator can answer your questions about regulated occupations, credential recognition, and employment in your preferred language. Learn about our mission, explore our settlement programs, see our impact, or browse more newcomer guides on our blog. For your essential first steps in Canada, read our guide to your first weeks in Canada.