At Temboh Immigration, we closely monitor policy shifts that impact health care professionals migrating to Canada. Recently, the province of Ontario has taken major steps to expand expedited licensing for regulated healthcare professions.
Ontario has proposed adding 16 more regulated healthcare occupations such as dentists, psychologists and dietitians into its “As of Right” framework.
Under the proposed legislation, practitioners who hold certification in another Canadian province would be eligible to practice in Ontario in as little as 10 days after credential validation.
A process that currently can take up to six months.
The province plans to implement these new regulations on January 1, 2026.
In addition, Ontario aims to enable physicians and nurses to become certified within just two business days.
The government’s stated aim is: “By making it easier for workers from across the country to get on the job faster, our government is driving economic growth and protecting our workers and communities,” according to Minister David Piccini.
The full “As of Right” framework is not limited to healthcare alone, but covers certification across more than 50 regulatory bodies and nearly 300 occupations in Ontario.
To learn more about working as a healthcare professional in Ontario, check out How to Get an Open Work Permit in Canada.
Additional Professions Being Added
Below is the list of the 16 professions proposed for inclusion in Ontario’s updated framework, with their likely National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:
| Profession | NOC Code |
| Audiologists / Speech-Language Pathologists | 31112 |
| Chiropodist | 31209 |
| Dental Hygienist | 32111 |
| Dental Technologist | 32112 |
| Dentist | 31110 |
| Denturist | 32110 |
| Dietitian | 31121 |
| Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologist | 32121 |
| Midwife | 31303 |
| Occupational Therapist | 31203 |
| Optician | 32100 |
| Optometrist | 31111 |
| Pharmacist / Pharmacy Technician | 31120 / 32124 |
| Physician Assistant | 31303 |
| Physiotherapist | 31202 |
| Psychologist | 31200 |
Existing “As of Right” Occupations The current framework already covers many medical professions, including
- Physicians
- Registered nurses
- Surgeons
- Respiratory therapists
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Nurse practitioners
Expedited Authorizations for Physicians and Nurses
The government is also working to enable automatic recognition for physicians and nurses registered (and in good standing) in other provinces or territories.
Through collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the College of Nurses of Ontario,
- Ontario aims to reduce application fees,
- Simplify documentation, and
- Issue certificates in as little as two business days.
“By taking a first in Canada approach to streamline the labour mobility process, we are making it faster and easier for both our health system partners and clinicians to provide the world-class care Ontarians need,” said Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones.
If you are a regulated healthcare professional looking to relocate to Ontario, our team at Temboh Immigration can guide you through every step of the process from credential assessment to licensing and work authorization. Schedule a free consultation today and let us help you move forward with confidence.
