Overview

In Ontario, the government sets rules and laws for over 100 professions and trades in the province. This helps to protect the health and safety of workers and the public.

We can help you get the qualifications you need to practice your profession or trade in Ontario through:

Definitions

Here are some terms you should know about professions and trades in Ontario.

Regulated professions

If your profession or trade is regulated, it means that to work and use your job title, you must:

  • have a license or certificate
  • be registered with the proper regulatory body

Check with the regulatory body for your profession or trade to find out if you’re allowed to do some work without a license or certificate.

Regulatory bodies

A regulatory body is an organization that oversees a regulated profession or trade. You must apply to one if you want to work in that profession or trade.

Regulatory bodies:

  • set the standards that all workers need to meet
  • assess the qualifications and credentials of applicants
  • register qualified applicants
  • discipline members who break the rules

Non-regulated professions and trades

Professions not regulated by law may have professional associations that you can join. These are not  mandatory to join.

These provide certification courses and registration that might allow you to find work more easily.

Programs and services

Ontario Bridge Training Program

Bridge training programs are for immigrants who have international training and experience.

These programs are designed to “bridge” your international training, education and experience with what you need to work in Ontario.

They help you get fast access to training and support so you can get a licence or certificate and find employment.

Find bridge training programs

Trade equivalency assessment

If you have work experience and training in a skilled trade from another country, you can have your experience and skills compared to an apprenticeship program in Ontario.

The Trade Equivalency Assessment process assesses your skills based on one of the more than 140 Ontario apprenticeship programs. If you meet all the training requirements of that apprenticeship, you will qualify to apply for certification in your trade.

Apply for an assessment

Health Force Ontario

Health Force Ontario serves internationally educated health care professionals.

They help you integrate into the Ontario health care system, with the goal to help you become trained, licensed and employed in your profession or an alternative career.

Visit Health Force Ontario

Global Experience Ontario

Global Experience Ontario (GEO) is an information and referral centre. They can help you learn how to become licensed or certified to work in a regulated profession or skilled trade if you’ve been trained in another country.

Global Experience Ontario does not include health care-related professions, such as nurses, doctors and dentists. Visit Health Force Ontario’s Access Centre for information and assistance.

Who should use Global Experience Ontario

Contact Global Experience Ontario (GEO) if you’re an immigrant in a regulated profession or skilled trade, before or after you arrive in Ontario.

Service providers who work with internationally trained immigrants can also contact Global Experience Ontario for information and support.

Services

Global Experience Ontario (GEO) offers webinars and workshops covering topics like:

  • the licensing or certification process for professions and trades
  • assessment of your credentials
  • employment and training programs
  • financial assistance
  • English and French language training
  • professional networks
  • mentorship and internship programs

Find GEO webinars

Contact us

Global Experience Ontario provides services by email at geo@ontario.ca or by phone:

You can also visit our Facebook page for more information.

Resources related to your profession, trade or sector

This resource list contains the names of regulatory bodies, organizations that oversee a profession or trade.

Under additional resources, you’ll find resources that explain the steps to become licensed or certified, such as webinars, career maps and fact sheets.

This list does not include all professions, trades or regulatory bodies. Search the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials directory for more. You can also check out bridge training program resources.

Resource list
Profession, trade or sectorRegulatory body
AccountingChartered Professional Accountants of Ontario
Agrology/Agriculture/Agri-foodOntario Institute of Agrologists
Alignment and Brakes TechnicianSkilled Trades Ontario
ArchitectureOntario Association of Architects
Audiology and Speech-Language PathologyAudiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
Auto Body and Collision Damage RepairerSkilled Trades Ontario
Auto Body RepairerSkilled Trades Ontario
Automotive Electronic Accessory TechnicianSkilled Trades Ontario
Automotive Service TechnicianSkilled Trades Ontario
BiotechnologyNot regulated
BusinessNot regulated
Chiropody and PodiatryCollege of Chiropodists of Ontario
ChiropracticCollege of Chiropractors of Ontario
Dental HygieneCollege of Dental Hygienists of Ontario
Dental TechnologyCollege of Dental Technologists of Ontario
DentistryRoyal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
DenturismCollege of Denturists of Ontario
DietitianCollege of Dietitians of Ontario
Electrician - Construction and MaintenanceSkilled Trades Ontario
Electrician - Domestic and RuralSkilled Trades Ontario
Employment CounsellingNot regulated
Engineering: Engineering and Applied Science Technicians and TechnologistsOntario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians & Technologists
Engineering: Professional EngineeringProfessional Engineers Ontario
EnvironmentSome are regulated. Contact Global Experience Ontario for more information
Financial ServicesSome are regulated. Contact Global Experience Ontario for more information
ForestryNot regulated
GeoscienceNot regulated
HairstylistSkilled Trades Ontario
Health careMore information at Health Force Ontario
Hoisting Engineer - Mobile Crane Operator 1Skilled Trades Ontario
Hoisting Engineer - Mobile Crane Operator 2Skilled Trades Ontario
Hoisting Engineer - Tower Crane OperatorSkilled Trades Ontario
HomeopathyCollege of Homeopaths of Ontario
Human ResourcesHuman Resource Professional Association
Information TechnologySome are regulated. Contact Global Experience Ontario for more information.
KinesiologyCollege of Kinesiologists of Ontario
Land SurveyingAssociation of Ontario Land Surveyors
Law (Lawyer and Paralegal)The Law Society of Ontario
Massage TherapyCollege of Massage Therapists of Ontario
Medical GraduatesCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
Medical Laboratory TechnologyCollege of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
Medical Radiation TechnologyCollege of Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists of Ontario
MidwiferyCollege of Midwives of Ontario
Motorcycle TechnicianSkilled Trades Ontario
NaturopathyCollege of Naturopaths of Ontario
NursingCollege of Nurses of Ontario
Occupational TherapyCollege of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
OpticianryThe College of Opticians of Ontario (COO)
OptometryCollege of Optometrists of Ontario
PharmacySkilled Trades Ontario
PhysiotherapyCollege of Physiotherapists of Ontario
PlumbersSkilled Trades Ontario
Project ManagementNot regulated
PsychologyCollege of Psychologists of Ontario
PsychotherapyCollege of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems MechanicsSkilled Trades Ontario
Residential (Low Rise) Sheet Metal InstallerSkilled Trades Ontario
Residential Air Conditioning Systems MechanicSkilled Trades Ontario
Respiratory TherapistThe College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario
Sales and MarketingNot regulated
Sheet Metal WorkerSkilled Trades Ontario
Social Service WorkSkilled Trades Ontario
Social WorkOntario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers
Sprinkler and Fire Protection InstallerSkilled Trades Ontario
SteamfitterSkilled Trades Ontario
Supply Chain/LogisticsNot regulated
TeachingOntario College of Teachers
Teaching: Early Childhood EducatorsNot regulated
Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and AcupuncturistsCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario
Transmission TechnicianSkilled Trades Ontario
Truck and Coach TechnicianSkilled Trades Ontario
Truck-Trailer Service TechnicianSkilled Trades Ontario
Veterinary MedicineCollege of Veterinarians of Ontario

Information in other languages

If you need the information on this page in another language, email us at geo@ontario.ca to request a copy in the language of your choice. We’ll send you a copy in approximately 10 business days.