Ontario, the province with the largest population and economy in Canada, has traditionally faced high demand for skilled workers in key sectors — from medicine and education to construction and engineering. However, interprovincial barriers in the form of lengthy certification recognition procedures have seriously restrained labour mobility.
At the beginning of September, the provincial government announced the launch of a fundamentally new system called “As of Right,” which will take effect on January 1, 2026. Its main goal is to simplify and accelerate access to work for specialists in regulated professions certified in other Canadian provinces, and in certain cases — in the United States.
Main provisions of the “As of Right” system
Key changes:
• Faster access: now workers will be able to start work within 10 business days after confirmation of their qualifications.
• Temporary permit: specialists will be able to work up to 6 months while simultaneously undergoing the full registration procedure with the Ontario regulatory body.
• Broad coverage: the system applies to 59 regulatory bodies and more than 300 professional certifications.
• Focus on regulated fields: approximately 20% of professions in Canada are regulated, which makes the reform large-scale and socially significant.
Comparative table:
Indicator | Previously | From 2026 |
Time for qualification recognition | 3–6 months | 10 business days |
Ability to work before full registration | Not provided | Up to 6 months |
Number of regulatory bodies | 59 | 59 |
Number of certifications | 300+ | 300+ |
Coverage of medical specialties | Limited | Doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists (partially — USA) |
Impact on the healthcare sector
Medical professions are at the center of this reform. This is where the shortage of personnel is most acute.
Professions covered by “As of Right”:
• From other Canadian provinces: doctors, surgeons, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, medical laboratory technologists.
• From the USA (states and District of Columbia): board-certified doctors and surgeons, registered nurses and nurse practitioners.
Note: pharmacists, dentists, psychiatrists and other specialties currently remain outside the scope of the system.
This opens the way for faster integration of qualified personnel into hospitals, clinics and other healthcare institutions.
Interprovincial mobility in the opposite direction
The reform has a two-way character. It allows not only foreign and interprovincial specialists to enter the Ontario labour market faster, but also provides Ontario workers with the opportunity to work more easily in other provinces of Canada.
The Ontario government has already signed 10 interprovincial agreements that ensure mutual recognition of qualifications. Thanks to unified standards in many fields, the process becomes simpler and more transparent.
Regulatory bodies: full list
Below is the list of all 59 bodies that fall under the “As of Right” system (according to the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009).
№ Regulatory body
1 Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario
2 Association of Chartered Industrial Designers of Ontario
3 Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario
4 Association of Ontario Land Surveyors
5 Association of Ontario Road Supervisors
6 Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario
7 Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario
8 Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario
9 Association of the Chemical Profession of Ontario
10 Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario
11 Bereavement Authority of Ontario
12 Building Services Administrative Authority
13 Charted Institute of Marketing Management of Ontario
14 Chartered Governance Institute of Canada
15 Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario
16 College of Early Childhood Educators
17 College of Veterinarians of Ontario
18 Electrical Safety Authority
19 Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario
20 Human Resources Professionals Association
21 Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Ontario
22 Institute of Municipal Assessors
23 Law Society of Ontario
24 Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism — Archaeologists
25 Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness — Nutrient Management
26 Ministry of Education — Supervisory Officers
27 Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks — Drinking Water Operators
28 Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks — Wastewater Operators
29 Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks — Water Quality Analysts
30 Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks — Well Contractors and Technicians
31 Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks — Pesticide Operators and Exterminators
32 Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks — Ozone Depletion Prevention
33 Ministry of Health — Emergency Health Services — Paramedics
34 Ministry of Natural Resources — Scalers
35 Municipal Law Enforcement Officers’ Association of Ontario
36 Ontario Association of Architects
37 Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists
38 Ontario Association of Home Inspectors
39 Ontario Association of Landscape Architects
40 Ontario Association of Property Standards Officers
41 Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians
42 Ontario Building Officials Association
43 Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
44 Ontario College of Teachers
45 Ontario Home Economics Association
46 Ontario Institute of Agrologists
47 Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council
48 Ontario Municipal Management Institute
49 Ontario Professional Foresters Association
50 Ontario Professional Planners Institute
51 Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association
52 Ontario Securities Commission
53 Ministry of Solicitor General — Private Security and Investigative Services
54 Professional Engineers Ontario
55 Real Estate Council of Ontario
56 Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario
57 Skilled Trades Ontario
58 Supply Chain Canada (Ontario)
59 Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Connection with Ontario immigration programs (OINP)
Innovations in the field of regulated professions directly intersect with the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
- Employer Job Offer Streams (require a job offer):
o Foreign Worker Stream: includes many regulated professions (engineers, electricians, healthcare specialists).
o International Student Stream: simplifies the path for graduates with regulated diplomas.
o In-Demand Skills Stream: covers trades, including those under Skilled Trades Ontario.
👉 New “As of Right” rules will allow employers to hire workers in these categories faster, since registration delays will be significantly reduced. - Express Entry-aligned Streams (job offer not required):
o Human Capital Priorities Stream: advantageous for engineers, architects and other regulated specialists with high CRS.
o Skilled Trades Stream: covers professions under Skilled Trades Ontario.
o French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream: additional opportunities for French-speaking specialists.
👉 In these streams, having an Express Entry profile is important, but accelerated confirmation of a professional license in Ontario will make candidates more competitive. - Statistics for 2025:
o A total of 8,799 ITAs were issued.
o Some of them were for professions that will now fall under “As of Right.”
Thus, immigrants from professions regulated in the province will have a double benefit: quick employment + the prospect of permanent residence through OINP.
Examples of professions and their connection with OINP
Category | Examples of professions | Regulatory body in Ontario | OINP streams where most relevant |
Medicine and healthcare | Doctors, surgeons, nurses, medical lab technologists, respiratory therapists | Ministry of Health — Paramedics; College of Veterinarians of Ontario; Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians | Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker; In-Demand Skills; partly Human Capital Priorities (EE) |
Education and social services | Teachers, early childhood educators, social workers | Ontario College of Teachers; College of Early Childhood Educators; Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers | Employer Job Offer: International Student; Human Capital Priorities (EE) |
Law and administration | Lawyers, notaries, municipal clerks, auditors | Law Society of Ontario; Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario; Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario | Human Capital Priorities (EE); French-Speaking Skilled Worker (EE) |
Engineering and technical specialties | Engineers, geologists, architects, land surveyors, building inspectors | Professional Engineers Ontario; Ontario Association of Architects; Association of Ontario Land Surveyors; Ontario Building Officials Association | Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker; Skilled Trades Stream (EE) |
Trades (Skilled Trades) | Electricians, mechanics, welders, HVAC technicians | Skilled Trades Ontario; Electrical Safety Authority; Technical Standards and Safety Authority | Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills; Skilled Trades Stream (EE) |
Finance and business | Accountants, auditors, financial consultants, brokers | Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario; Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario; Ontario Securities Commission; Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario | Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker; Human Capital Priorities (EE) |
Creative and specialized professions | Designers, translators, graphic specialists, music teachers | Association of Registered Graphic Designers; Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario; Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association | Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker; partly International Student Stream |
How it works in practice
- If an engineer is certified in Alberta, he will be able to start working in Ontario within 10 days while simultaneously applying for OINP Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream.
• If a nurse from Quebec plans to move to Ontario, she will be able to get employed immediately and use this as a basis to apply for OINP In-Demand Skills Stream.
• If a teacher from Manitoba already has work experience, he will be able to confirm certification with the Ontario College of Teachers and subsequently apply under the Human Capital Priorities Stream (EE-aligned).
Thus, “As of Right” creates a bridge between regulatory bodies and OINP immigration programs:
• it shortens the waiting time to enter a profession,
• allows employers to fill vacancies faster,
• and helps immigrants gain the necessary experience for permanent residence more quickly.
Recommendations
- For specialists: prepare in advance, collect confirmation of diplomas and certifications, and study OINP streams relevant to your profession.
• For employers: take advantage of “As of Right” to quickly fill vacancies in shortage sectors.
• For immigration consultants: pay attention to the integration of labour mobility with immigration procedures, as this will become a key argument for clients.
Conclusion
“As of Right” is not just a reform but a systemic transformation of Ontario’s labour market. It accelerates labour mobility, removes interprovincial barriers, helps eliminate shortages of personnel in healthcare and technical fields, and creates favourable conditions for immigrants through OINP.
For workers — it is a chance to start work within 10 days.
For employers — an opportunity to find qualified specialists faster.
For the province — a strategy to strengthen the economy and improve service quality.
