Skip Breadcrumb Links

How do I get my license as an internationally educated health professional?

The pathway to Canadian licensure for internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) can be complex. If you were trained as a doctor (physician)or nurse in another country, this is what you’ll need to practice in Ontario.

Nurses and physicians are regulated professionals, meaning you will need a license provided by one of the provincial regulators called “colleges.”

The college’s role is to ensure you have the training and language skills (in English or French) necessary to be successful in Canada. Before you get your license, they will also include exams to assess your clinical skills.

Nurses

Nurses in Ontario receive their licenses through the College of Nurses of Ontario. They provide licenses for both Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) (called “Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)" in all other provinces). But before you can apply for a nursing college, you must have your credentials assessed.

The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) Expedited Service reviews your international credentials for Canadian standards and sends you an advisory report.

If you are a nurse moving to Canada, you can also apply for pre-arrival services through the PASS Program. The program prepares you to find work faster once you arrive.

Physicians

All physicians in Ontario are licensed through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario; they are generalists or specialists.

Supports with Navigating your Career

The Internationally Educated Health Professionals in Canada (IEHPs-CAN) program is an online portal and community for essential resources to help internationally trained healthcare professionals in their transition to the Canadian workforce.

IEHP Canada offers a community where you can:

explore the pathways to practice
find resources
learn and connect through events
enroll in a mentorship program
get updates and news geared specifically to the IEHP community.

Understanding the Canadian Context

In addition to having strong clinical skills, you’ll also need to understand how the Canadian healthcare system differs from that in your own country.

The Ontario Health Access Centre: Resources for Internationally Educated Health Professionals offers resources and tools to help you better understand the Canadian healthcare landscape. By registering for the Access Centre, you will gain access to webinars like the Orientation to the Canadian Health Care System: Competencies, Culture and Communication that will teach you about:

A brief history and values of the Canadian Health Care System
The Canada Health Act
The roles of the federal, provincial and territorial governments
The delivery of health care and level of care
The importance of patient-centered and culturally competent care, ethical practice, inter-professional collaboration, and effective communication

Register for these resources by completing the Access Centre online registration form and start your free access to supports.

Many sector-specific community organizations across Ontario can help you prepare for employment. Settlement agencies have specialized employment programs to help you with communication skills and job-search support, like interviewing, preparing a Canadian-style CV or resume, and networking sessions with industry experts and employers.

To find free support in your community, visit the Find Services Near Me section of Settlement.Org and choose “Find a Job” from the dropdown menu and the city you are in.

When you understand the routes to licensure and tap into a support network, you’ll be in a great position to advocate for yourself and get working in the Ontario healthcare system.

For More Information

National Healthcare Language Program - helps internationally educated healthcare professionals across Canada develop the communication competencies they need to succeed in their fields. From the Immigrant Services Association in Nova Scotia (ISANS)