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If you obtained your degree in another country and want to work in Canada, it will depend on whether your occupation is regulated or non-regulated.
Regulated professions require you to go through a Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) program, and you will need to get a license or certification before you can work here.
The foreign credential recognition process verifies that the education, job and skills you obtained in another country are equal to the standards established for Canadian workers. Each province or territory has its own regulatory body with its own criteria for recognizing your credentials.
The length of time and cost of the FCR process will vary depending on whether your education and/ or work experience are regulated or non-regulated.
Non-Regulated Professions
A non-regulated profession does not require a license, certificate, or registration before you can practice; however, further training or examination may be beneficial. These trainings will help you learn the Canadian standards and proper procedures for completing your job’s daily tasks. It is often considered an asset for potential applicants to obtain training for a non-regulated profession.
Regulated Professions
A regulated profession is governed by a provincial/ territorial or sometimes federal authority, in which certain entry requirements and standards of practice are used to assess the qualifications and certify, register or license an individual as a qualified applicant. Therefore, you must have a license and be registered with the regulatory body before you start practicing your profession.
Regulated occupations include nurses, doctors, dentists, optometrists, physiotherapists, psychotherapists, and some other healthcare occupations, as well as many non-healthcare professions (such as teachers, accountants and electricians).
If you have an education in a regulated profession, you must complete the foreign credential recognition process. This consists of four basic steps before you can secure employment in your profession:
- Credential Assessment: May include evaluation of foreign education and foreign experience in the field. This is done by regulatory bodies and organizations that are specialized in doing so in many streams of occupations, such as the World Education Service (WES) or the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) for professionals like teachers and child and youth education and training practitioners.
- Further Education/ Training: Learning Canadian methods, practices, laws, and ethics related to their field
- Examinations: that can include proof of qualifications from step 1 (your studies overseas), as well as step 2 (new training obtained in Canada in a post-secondary education)
- Licensing Fee: This can include more than one fee (association, membership, professional development, liability insurance – if applicable) and other potential fees.
Please note that not all four steps are mandatory in every regulated occupation. This overview is intended to give you a general idea. For detailed information specific to your profession, please consult with an accreditation specialist.
FCR Model
The Foreign Credential Recognition Model in Canada refers to the process of assessing and recognizing education, skills, and work experience obtained in another country, ensuring they meet Canadian standards for specific professions or trades. This model aims to help internationally trained individuals integrate into the Canadian workforce and address lab:our market needs.
Internationally Educated Health Professionals
Skilled immigrants who are Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) can advance their careers in Canada through innovative services that bridge them to (subsidized) Canadian work experience opportunities.
Active Career Connect and Engagement Project for Internationally Educated Health Professionals
ACCEP-IEHP is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program and helps Internationally-Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) integrate into the Canadian labour market at the pre-arrival stage and landed in Canada stage, using the FCR Model. The program also supports Canadian employers in the health sector by guiding them on how to build more diverse, welcoming, and inclusive workplaces.
This program offers:
1. Pre-Arrival Services for IEHPs
- Information sessions on program’s spectrum of services for Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs)
- One-on-one needs assessment to help IEHPs set achievable professional goals
- Webinars on available resources and support systems in Canada for IEHPs
- Profession-specific workshops on the navigation of Canadian credentialling & licensing procedures
- Bridging IEHPs to post-arrival support services in Canada
2. Services for Landed IEHPs
ACCEP-IEHP helps Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) integrate into Canadian health sector labour market by providing:
- 12 weeks or more of subsidized work experience
- Individualized accreditation and career plan
- Career and employment readiness training
- Canadian workplace culture, and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) workshops
- Mental health and wellness sessions
- 1-on-1 counseling & guidance
- Focused study groups
- Mentorship opportunities
Financial support to cover:
- Uniforms
- Nursing Shoes
- Criminal Record Check
- Standard First Aid
- Short-Term Certificates
You will also gain regionalization support, guidance and referrals and exclusive access to regular job opportunities posted on ACCEP-IEHP Job Bulletin.
What do I need to qualify for the program?
Pre-Arrival IEHPs:
- A valid Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) Visa
Landed IEHPs must:
- Be permanent residents, naturalized Canadian citizens, or persons granted refugee status in Canada
- Have a lack of Health-related paid Canadian work experience
- Be unemployed, or working less than 20 hours per week
- Be at CLB level 6 or above
Please contact the (ACCEP-IEHP) Ontario Service Centre to find out more. You can reach them at:
Email: [email protected] Phone: 437- 855- 2084
Last updated: July 31, 2025 4006664
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