On Labour Day, the Ontario government announced new measures to streamline the licensing process for out-of-province workers in regulated professions. This initiative, called the “As of Right” framework, will allow certified professionals from other provinces and territories to begin working in Ontario within just 10 business days—a significant reduction from the current timeline, which can take up to six months.
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What Is the “As of Right” Framework?
Starting January 1, 2026, the new labour mobility rules will enable workers in regulated occupations to:
- Begin working in Ontario within 10 business days of their credentials being validated by the relevant regulatory body.
- Work for up to six months while completing full registration with their Ontario regulator.
These changes apply to over 50 regulatory bodies and more than 300 certifications, covering professionals such as:
- Architects
- Engineers
- Electricians
This is a major shift in supporting labour mobility, especially given that 20% of Canadian occupations are regulated.
“With these historic measures, we’re tearing down barriers to create more opportunities for workers and businesses, building a stronger province and country,” said David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible Professions:
- Workers certified in another Canadian province or territory
- Workers in non-health and select health professions
Not Eligible:
- Workers in non-regulated professions
- Some regulated healthcare professions (e.g., pharmacists, dentists)
New Rules for Healthcare Professionals
Only specific health professionals are included in the “As of Right” changes. These include:
From other Canadian provinces/territories:
- Physicians and surgeons
- Registered nurses (RNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs)
- Nurse practitioners
- Respiratory therapists
- Medical laboratory technologists
From the United States:
- Board-certified physicians or surgeons
- Registered nurses, RPNs, or nurse practitioners
These professionals may start working immediately in Ontario without registering with a health regulatory college, provided they meet 10 eligibility conditions.
Steps to Work in Ontario Under the New Rules
If you’re certified in another province or territory, here’s how to take advantage of the new process for non-health regulated professions:
- Identify the relevant Ontario regulatory authority for your profession.
- Submit a labour mobility application as per that authority’s specific guidelines.
- Receive a decision on certification within 30 calendar days.
Reciprocal Mobility for Ontario-Certified Workers
The Ontario government has signed 10 interprovincial agreements allowing Ontario-certified professionals to work in other provinces or territories. These agreements aim to foster cross-country mobility by recognizing similar standards in regulated professions across jurisdictions.
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and Labour Mobility
For foreign nationals, Ontario also offers permanent residence pathways through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Many of the OINP streams align well with the new “As of Right” rules.
Employer Job Offer Streams (job offer required):
- Foreign Worker Stream
- International Student Stream
- In-Demand Skills Stream
Most occupations under these streams are regulated and could qualify under the new mobility framework.
Express Entry-Aligned Streams (no job offer required):
- Human Capital Priorities
- Skilled Trades
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker
As of 2025, Ontario has issued 8,799 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through its various immigration streams.
More Information and Resources
- These changes fall under the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009 (OLMA).
- A total of 59 regulatory authorities are included.
