Entry to Practice Requirements
To practise as a regulated health professional in Ontario, an individual must be a member of the regulatory college for their chosen profession, and hold a certificate of registration from their college. Regulated health providers are required by law to deliver competent, ethical and professional services, and are accountable to the public through their respective colleges for their professional behaviour and activities.
Being registered entitles the individual to practise in Ontario and to use the relevant protected title. For example, only individuals registered with the College of Respiratory Therapists can call themselves "respiratory therapists," offer services pertaining to respiratory therapy or hold themselves out as qualified to practise respiratory therapy in Ontario.
The following entry to practice requirements are common to all health regulatory colleges in Ontario, as required under the Regulated Health Professions Act:
- Successful completion of rigorous educational and training requirements for entry to the profession;
- Successful completion of required examinations to evaluate readiness for professional practice and knowledge of ethics and standards of practice;
- Fluency in English or French;
- Proof of professional liability insurance;
- No conviction for a criminal offence or an offence related to the regulation of the practice of the profession;
- No findings (and no current proceedings) of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in Ontario in relation to another health profession or in another jurisdiction in relation to the profession or another health profession;
- Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or authorization under the Immigration Act to practise the profession;
- Completion of application process and payment of an annual registration fee.
Once registered, individuals must:
- practise according to the laws governing health professionals in Ontario;
- practise according to the regulations, guidelines and standards of practice of the college and any other relevant bodies;
- comply with the quality assurance program to promote continuing competence.
Click on the desired health profession to learn more about entry to practice requirements specific to that category:
Disclaimer: It is important to note that the entry to practice requirements for the health regulatory Colleges provided on this website are for informational purposes only; they may not be complete. Contact the College directly for complete, up to date entry to practice requirements or refer to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 , the specific health profession Act you are interested in, and registration regulations made under that Act.
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Audiologists
Audiologists assess auditory function and treat and prevent auditory dysfunction from developing. They also maintain, rehabilitate, or augment auditory and communicative functions. Audiologists are concerned with the prevention, identification, assessment, treatment, and (re)habilitation of hearing difficulties in children and adults.
Entry to Practice Requirements:
- A professional master's degree in speech-language pathology or audiology or both from a university in Ontario, or a degree or diploma granted by a university outside Ontario that is determined to be equivalent to the Ontario degree by the Registration Committee;
- Proof of professional liability insurance.
College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists back to top
Chiropodists and Podiatrists
Chiropodists assess the foot and treat and prevent diseases, disorders or dysfunctions of the foot by therapeutic, orthotic or palliative means. Chiropodists are allowed to cut into the subcutaneous tissues of the foot, prescribe drugs designated in the regulations and administer by injection into the feet, a substance set out in the regulations.
Entry to Practice Requirements for Chiropodists:
- Successful completion of a post-secondary program approved by the Council of the College of Chiropodists of Ontario, whose curriculum includes courses in health sciences, chiropodial sciences, humanities and clinical education;
- Successful completion of a registration exam;
- Engaged in clinical practice for at least 3 months during the two years immediately preceding the date of the application.
Podiatrists assess the foot and treat and prevent diseases, disorders or dysfunctions of the foot by therapeutic, orthotic or palliative means. Podiatrists are allowed to communicate a diagnosis identifying a disease or disorder of the foot as the cause of a person’s symptoms, cut into subcutaneous tissues of the foot and bony tissues of the forefoot, administer by injection into feet a substance set out in the regulations and prescribe drugs set out in the regulations.
Entry to Practice Requirements for Podiatrists:
- Successful completion of a post-secondary program approved by the Council of the College of Chiropodists of Ontario, whose curriculum includes courses in health sciences, chiropodial sciences, humanities and clinical education;
- Successful completion of a registration exam;
- Engaged in clinical practice for at least 3 months during the two years immediately preceding the date of the application.
College of Chiropodists of Ontario back to top
Chiropractors
Chiropractors assess, diagnose, prevent and treat dysfunctions or disorders arising from the structures or functions of the spine, pelvis and joints of the extremities, and their effect on the nervous system.
Entry to Practice Requirements:
- Successful completion of a chiropractic education program accredited or recognized through reciprocal arrangement by the Commission on Accreditation of the Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory and Educational Accrediting Boards;
- Successful completion of exams set by the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) or approved by the Council as equivalent to the examinations set by the CCEB;
- Successful completion of the Legislation and Ethics Examination set by the College of Chiropractors of Ontario.
College of Chiropractors of Ontario back to top
Dental Hygienists
Dental hygienists are responsible for assessing the teeth, gums and mouth and providing treatment through preventive and therapeutic means. They are also responsible for the provision of restorative and orthodontic procedures and services.
Educational Entry to Practice Requirements:
- Successful completion of an accredited 2-year dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada or by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation or its equivalent as approved by the Registration Committee of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario;
- Successful completion of the Canadian National Dental Hygiene Certification Board Examination.
College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario
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Dental Technologists
Dental technologists are knowledgeable and skilled in the design, construction, repair or alteration of dental prosthetic, restorative, and orthodontic devices, which are prescribed by dentists, or other qualified health-care practitioners for their patients. Only a dental technologist can supervise the technical aspects of a dental laboratory operation.
Entry to Practice Requirements:
- Grade 12 and an approved dental technology program at a College of Applied Arts and Technology or an equivalent dental technology program completed at an institution outside Ontario, and a supervised apprenticeship of 1,950 hours
- Successful completion of a provincial exam
- Proof of professional liability insurance
College of Dental Technologists of Ontario
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Dentists
Dentists diagnose, treat, prevent and control disorders of the teeth, mouth, and related hard and soft tissues. Specifically, they examine teeth, gums and surrounding tissue to diagnose disease, decay, injury and then plan appropriate treatment; they restore, extract, and replace diseased and decayed teeth and provide cosmetic restorative services; they perform oral surgery, periodontal surgery and other treatments; they clean teeth and instruct patients on oral hygiene; and they correct abnormal positioning of the teeth and jaws by designing bridgework and fitting dentures.
Entry to Practice Requirements:
- A degree in dentistry of at least four years duration at a university-based dental school
- Successful completion of a national exam, provincial ethics and jurisprudence exam
- Proof of professional liability insurance
Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario back to top
Denturists
Denturists specialize in the field of removable oral prosthesis (dentures). In partnership with other health care professionals, they assess, design, construct, repair and insert complete dentures, partial dentures and removable implant retained dentures. Services include dentures, mouth guards, and anti-snoring devices.
Entry to Practice Requirements:
- Diploma denture therapy or denturism at George Brown College, or equivalent university program plus an internship from accredited program, or graduate degree from an accredited program, or equivalent
- Successful completion of a national exam
- Proof of professional liability insurance
College of Denturists of Ontario back to top
Dietitian
Dietitians assess, evaluate, plan and implement interventions designed for the treatment and prevention of nutritional related disorders by nutritional means.
Educational Entry to Practice Requirements:
- Completion of a four year accredited undergraduate university program in foods and nutrition in Canada or completion of a university program in the subject areas in foods and nutrition accepted by the College or an equivalent program approved by the College of Dietitians of Ontario (CDO)
- Completion of an accredited dietetic internship or its equivalent practical training as approved by the College
- Successful completion of the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination
College of Dietitians of Ontario
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Massage Therapists
Massage therapists assess the soft tissues and joints of the body and carry out the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function.
Educational Entry to Practice Requirements:
- A diploma in massage therapy from a private vocational school in Ontario or a College of Applied Arts and Technology, or a course in massage therapy at an educational institution outside of Ontario that the Registration Committee of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) considers to provide equivalent competencies to those taught in the approved Ontario massage therapy programmes, as determined by means of a prior learning assessment of the applicant;
- Successful completion of the CMTO’s Certification Examination;
- Graduation from a massage therapy program within the previous three years or completion of a refresher course within the previous fifteen months approved by the CMTO.
College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
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Medical Laboratory Technologists
Medical Laboratory Technologists perform laboratory investigations on the human body or on specimens taken from the human body and evaluate the technical sufficiency of the investigations and their results. The results assist with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Educational Entry to Practice Requirements:
- Successful completion of a diploma or degree in medical laboratory technology from a Canadian educational institution which has been approved by the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) or its equivalent as approved by the Registration Committee of CMLTO;
- Successful completion of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) examination
- Proof of active engagement in medical laboratory technology or successful completion of a refresher course approved by the Registration Committee.
College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
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Medical Radiation Technologists
Medical radiation technologists (MRTs) use ionizing radiation and other forms of energy to
produce diagnostic images and tests and for therapeutic applications. MRTs also engage in the evaluation of the technical sufficiency of the images and tests.
There are four speciality disciplines within the field of medical radiation technology:
- Radiography
- Radiation Therapy
- Nuclear Medicine
- Magnetic Resonance
Educational, examination and practice requirements for Entry to Practice:
- Evidence of successful completion of a medical radiation technology program:
o at an approved program in Ontario, or
o at a program offered outside Ontario equivalent to an approved Ontario program, or
o at a program offered outside Ontario that is considered by the Registration Committee to be substantially similar, but not equivalent, to an approved Ontario program in medical radiation technology
- Successful completion of an examination set or approved by the College’s Council;
- Clinical practice within five years immediately before the application, or successful completion of the program referred to above within this same period;
- Satisfactory evidence as to competence to practise as a medical radiation technologist, in the case of an applicant whose program is substantially similar, but not equivalent, to an approved Ontario program
College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario
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Midwives
A midwife provides primary care to women during pregnancy, labour, and birth, including conducting spontaneous normal vaginal deliveries and providing care to mothers and babies during the postpartum period.
Educational Entry to Practice Requirements:
- Successful completion of a 4-year baccalaureate degree in the Ontario Midwifery Educational Program (MEP) or International Midwifery Pre-registration Program (IMPP); or an equivalent program as approved by the College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO); or be a general registrant in good standing in another province of Canada;
- Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP);
- Current clinical practice consisting of active practice for at least two years out of the four years immediately prior to the application;
- Attendance of at least 60 births of which: 40 shall be as a primary midwife, 30 shall be attended as part of the care provided to a woman in accordance with the principles of continuity of care, 10 shall have been in hospital, and 10 shall have been in a residence or remote clinic or remote birth centre, of which 5 will have been as a primary midwife. The clinical requirements may be satisfied through participation in a midwifery education program or a CMO-approved supervised practice.
College of Midwives of Ontario
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Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists assist individuals in developing or maintaining life roles and activities at home and in the community when ability to function independently has been challenged by accident, handicap, emotional problems, developmental difficulties, or disease.
Entry to Practice Requirements:
- Graduation from an occupational therapy program from a school, college or university approved by the College (which involves 1,000 hours of clinical fieldwork)
- Completion of the current practice hours required by the College
- Successful completion of the National Certification Examination administered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
- Professional liability insurance, which includes a sexual abuse therapy and counselling fund endorsement
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario back to top
Opticians
Opticians are eye care professionals who dispense corrective eyewear (eyeglasses, contact lenses and subnormal vision devices such as low vision aids and prosthetic ocular devices) based on a prescription by an Optometrist or a Physician (i.e. Ophthalmologist). Opticians are educated in the theory and practical application of ophthalmic optics.
Entry to Practice Requirements
- Successful completion and graduation from one of the recognized Ontario opticianry programs or from a program that is deemed its equivalent by the Registration Committee of the College of Opticians of Ontario (COO);
- Successful completion of at least 1,000 hours of verified dispensing experience;
- Successful completion of a registration exam.
College of Opticians of Ontario
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Optometrists
An optometrist is an independent primary health care provider who specializes in the examination, diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention of disease and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as the diagnosis of ocular manifestations of systemic conditions.
Entry to Practice Requirements:
- Successful completion of the course in optometry at the School of Optometry of the University of Waterloo and the award of the degree of doctor of optometry by the university, or a course and degree outside Ontario determined to be equivalent
- Successful completion of a national exam and provincial jurisprudence exam within one year of application
- Proof of professional liability insurance
College of Optometrists of Ontario back to top
Pharmacists
There are two types of pharmacists in Ontario — community pharmacists and hospital pharmacists. Both types compound and dispense prescribed pharmaceuticals (drugs) and provide consultative services to both customers and health care providers.
Entry to Practice Requirements:
- Pharmacy degree from an accredited Canadian or U.S. university or a degree recognized by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) as eligible for writing the PEBC Evaluating Examination
- Successful completion of the PEBC Evaluating Examination and Qualifying Examination
- Successful completion of the Ontario College of Pharmacists' Jurisprudence Examination
Ontario College of Pharmacists back to top
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists improve and maintain functional independence and physical performance; prevent and manage pain, physical impairments, disabilities, and limits to participation; and promote fitness, health, and wellness.
Entry to Practice Requirements:
- A degree in physiotherapy;
- Successful completion of the Physiotherapy Competency Exam or registration as a physiotherapist in a Canadian jurisdiction
- Professional liability insurance that meets the requirements laid out in the College by-laws
- Reasonable grounds to show proof of mental competency to practice physiotherapy, a commitment to practice physiotherapy with decency, integrity and honesty and in accordance with the law, and an ability to communicate effectively with and will display an appropriate attitude towards patients and colleagues
- Professional liability insurance
College of Physiotherapists of Ontario back to top
Psychologists
Psychologists and psychological associates assess, treat and prevent behavioural and mental conditions. Psychologists diagnose neuropsychological disorders and dysfunctions as well as psychotic, neurotic and personality disorders and dysfunctions. In addition, psychologists and psychological associates use a variety of approaches directed toward the maintenance and enhancement of physical, intellectual, emotional social and interpersonal functioning.
Educational Entry to Practice Requirements:
- Doctoral degree for psychologists, or master’s degree for psychological associates, from a program of study with content that is primarily psychological in nature and approved by the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO), or satisfy professional training requirement as published by the CPO;
- Successful completion of oral and written examinations set by the CPO.
The College of Psychologists of Ontario
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Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists plan and implement a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures for patients suffering from a wide range of heart and lung disorders.
Entry to Practice Requirements:
- Graduation from a program in respiratory therapy that has been approved/accredited or considered equivalent by the College;
- Successful completion of the examinations approved by the Council of the College (currently the College accepts the Canadian Board of Respiratory Care National Certification Examination for entry to practice);
- No guilty findings of a criminal offence or an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) or the Food and Drugs Act (Canada);
- Proof of professional liability insurance.
College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario back to top
Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-language pathologists assess, evaluate, plan interventions, and implement treatment for people ranging in age from infants to adults who have problems with expressive and receptive language, voice, fluency, articulation or swallowing.
Entry to Practice Requirements:
- A professional master's degree in speech-language pathology or audiology or both from a university in Ontario, or a degree or diploma granted by a university outside Ontario, that is determined to be equivalent to the Ontario degree by the College's Registration Committee;
- Proof of professional liability insurance.
College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists back to top