Non-regulated professions

A non-regulated profession is an occupation that has no requirement for a licence, certificate or registration with a regulatory body to work in that profession. Most occupations in Canada are non-regulated. For some non-regulated occupations, certification or registration with a professional governing body is available on a voluntary basis.

Applicants for non-regulated occupations must demonstrate to potential employers that they possess the experience, education and training required for the job. Even for non-regulated occupations, employers may require job applicants to be registered, licensed or certified with a relevant professional association.

To learn more about working in a non-regulated profession:

• Study the requirements for a variety of job descriptions in your non-regulated profession
• Research professional and industry associations and certifications required by employers
• Join a relevant professional immigrant network to network and learn from the experiences of other newcomers in your profession, industry or cultural group

If your work background is in a regulated profession and you intend to complete training, licensing or registration requirements before working in that profession, you may consider working in an non-regulated alternative profession.

Regulated professions

A regulated profession or trade is one that is controlled by government law, usually provincial and territorial but sometimes federal, and administered by a professional organization or a regulatory body. These professions – including physicians, nurses and lawyers, as well as skilled trades, like plumbers and electricians – not only require educational credential assessment, but also licensing, certification or registration with an appropriate regulatory body in order to practise that occupation and use a specific job title.

A regulatory body has authority to:

• Set requirements, like technical examinations, and standards of practice to assess a worker's qualifications and credentials
• Certify, register or licence qualified applicants
• Regulate those working in that occupation

 Find out if your profession or trade is regulated:

• The Office of the Fairness Commissioner oversees regulatory bodies in Ontario and provides a list of regulated professions and trades
• Global Experience Ontario provides a guide for determining whether your occupation is regulated
• Health Force Ontario provides information on how to obtain your license in health profession.
• Settlement.org provides a list of regulated professions with career maps.

It can take time to obtain the right to work in a regulated profession or trade if you were trained outside of Canada. Consider working in an unregulated but related job in your field as your complete your licensing requirements. This can provide a way to earn income, work in your field, gain Canadian experience and build a professional network.

An Immigrant Access Fund loan can help if you are struggling to pay for the costs that are associated with completing the licensing or training you need to work in your field in Canada.