Foreign Credentials Referral Office
Helping foreign-trained workers succeed in Canada
Common menu bar links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This section offers answers to frequently asked questions about credential assessment and recognition in Canada.
FAQs — Foreign Credentials Referral Office
- What is the Foreign Credentials Referral Office?
- Why has the Government created the Office?
- What types of services are available on the Office website?
- What types of services are available on the Office toll–free line?
- What types of services are available at the Service Canada centres?
- Does the Office help me get my credentials recognized?
- Does the Office undertake credential assessments?
- Will the Office help me find a job in Canada?
FAQs — Internationally Trained and Educated Individuals
- Can the Office assess my credentials?
- How can I get qualifications that were obtained abroad recognized in Canada?
- How long will it take to get my credentials assessed, and how much will it cost?
- What is a regulated profession?
- What is a regulatory body?
- What do regulatory bodies do?
- Can I work in my profession without registering?
- How do I register?
- If I want to work in a regulated occupation, what can I do to get my qualifications assessed?
- What is a non-regulated occupation?
- If I want to work in a non-regulated occupation, what can I do to get my qualifications assessed?
- Do my documents have to be in English or French?
- Do I need to know English or French to be certified?
- Will work conditions and work expectations be different in Canada?
- Can I work right away?
- I need Canadian experience to get a job, but I can’t get a job without Canadian experience. What should I do?
- I don’t have access to a computer at home. Where can I go to access computers and free Internet service to search the Office website and the other resources available?
- What is a Social Insurance Number (SIN)? Do I need one?
- Do I need a bank account?
FAQs — Employers
- How do I know if the credentials presented by an internationally trained worker are valid?
- Will the Foreign Credentials Referral Office help internationally trained workers find the services they need to improve their ability to communicate in English or French?
- How can the Foreign Credentials Referral Office assist employers in making their workplaces more diverse, and therefore more productive?
- Will it cost more to train people who aren’t familiar with the Canadian workplace?
- How do I determine if internationally trained individuals can do the job?
- Why hire internationally trained individuals?
- What can I learn from other employers who have hired internationally trained individuals?
FAQs — Foreign Credentials Referral Office
- What is the Foreign Credentials Referral Office?
The Foreign Credentials Referral Office offers internationally trained and educated individuals authoritative and accurate information on the Canadian labour market and Canada’s credential assessment processes. It also provides path-finding and referral services to immigrants. These services are offered overseas and in Canada to help immigrants apply their skills and credentials in the Canadian labour market.
Overseas, the Office provides prospective immigrants with information on foreign credential assessment and recognition processes in Canada. In addition, the Going to Canada Portal helps prospective immigrants make informed decisions about coming to Canada and better prepare for the Canadian labour market prior to their arrival.
In Canada, Service Canada centres provide in-person and telephone services for individuals seeking information related to the assessment and recognition of their foreign credentials. These services help individuals identify the regulatory or assessment body appropriate for their needs.
The government’s existing Foreign Credential Recognition Program is also working in collaboration with the Office to further strengthen the foreign credential processes in regulated and non-regulated occupations.
- Why has the government created the Office?
The Office is filling critical gaps in the immigrant labour market integration process in Canada. The Office avoids duplication and overlap in services by building on existing programs and services offered by provinces and territories and a range of stakeholders. The Foreign Credentials Referral Office provides information sharing, pathfinding and referral services within the federal roles and responsibilities for immigration and labour market information. It does this through Service Canada's existing and extensive network of Service Canada centres across Canada, as well as provide services to prospective immigrants overseas.
The Office also collaborates with stakeholders to strengthen the capacity for foreign credential recognition across Canada.
- What types of services are available on the Office website?
The goal of the Foreign Credentials Referral Office is to provide information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained and educated individuals put their skills to work in Canada more rapidly. The Office website is one of three ways to obtain these services, along with a dedicated toll-free line and in-person services at Service Canada centres.
Along with offering general information about finding a job, the website is supported by an online search engine called the Working in Canada tool. This powerful tool provides individuals with credentials and experience obtained overseas with information about working in Canada. It will tell you what the current prospects are for your profession right across Canada. It offers information on essential skills, job descriptions, and work conditions and opportunities. It will also tell you whether your occupation is a regulated profession in Canada. It is the first of its kind to offer this service on a national level.
The Going to Canada Portal is also linked to the Office website. It will help prospective immigrants make informed decisions about coming to Canada and better prepare for the Canadian labour market prior to their arrival. - What types of services are available on the Office toll-free
line?
Call centre agents draw on the comprehensive information available on the Office website and the Working in Canada tool, which is a powerful online search engine that provides individuals with credentials and experience obtained overseas with information about working in Canada, and where to get important information about their occupation.
- What types of services are available at the Service Canada centres?
Starting in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver in May 2007, Service Canada centres are providing in-person services for individuals seeking information about where to go to get their credentials assessed in Canada. Service Canada agents help individuals identify more quickly their occupation’s appropriate regulatory and assessment body as well as provide important job-related information about specific occupations.
- Does the Office help me get my credentials recognized?
The Foreign Credentials Referral Office provides the information, path-finding and referral services needed to help you get your credentials assessed in Canada. Office services will be linked with provinces and territories that have primary responsibility for assessing and recognizing credentials as well as jurisdiction over the regulation of skilled trades and most professions. In collaboration with the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, the Office works to further strengthen the foreign credential recognition processes in regulated and non-regulated professions.
- Does the Office undertake credential assessments?
No. The provinces and territories have responsibility for assessments and recognition of credentials, as well as jurisdiction over the regulation of skilled trades and most professions. They have delegated to provincial regulatory bodies the authority to regulate and to determine licensing and certification requirements for most professions. However, the Government of Canada has an important role to play in ensuring that all people are able to use their talents, skills and resources to participate in the Canadian labour market.
- Will the Office help me find a job in Canada?
The process of finding employment requires different skills, competencies and qualifications. One important aspect of this process is getting your credentials assessed and recognized, especially if these credentials are acquired abroad. The Foreign Credentials Referral Office provides a range of information, path-finding and referral services that will assist you in putting your skills to work in Canada.
FAQs — Internationally Trained and Educated Individuals
- Can the Office assess
my credentials?
No, the Foreign Credentials Referral Office does not do assessment and recognition of internationally obtained credentials or experience. This is the responsibility of the provincial or territorial governments, and is done by the five assessment organizations that currently exist in Canada and by the regulatory bodies that govern the entry into regulated professions. The Working in Canada tool can help you find out if you work in a regulated or non-regulated occupation.
The Office provides authoritative information relating to working in Canada, and path-finding and referral services to organizations that do credential assessment and recognition. Through the Working in Canada tool, the Office provides important work-related information on specific occupations.
- How can I get qualifications that were obtained abroad recognized in Canada?
Even if you have years of experience, you do not automatically have the right to practise your trade or profession in Canada.
In most cases, you will need to have your credentials assessed to see whether you need more training, education or Canadian work experience before being qualified to practise.
In Canada, the provincial and territorial governments have jurisdiction and authority over credential assessment and recognition. About 20 percent of jobs are regulated (for example, nurses, doctors, engineers, teachers and electricians all work in regulated professions). People who want to work in regulated jobs need to get a licence from the regulatory body in the province or territory where they live.
Visit the Working in Canada tool to check if your occupation is regulated and find out where the regulatory body is in your province or territory.
The professions are self-regulating. They administer the provincial or territorial laws that apply to their profession. Rules for entering professions differ between provinces and territories. For most non-regulated professions, employment is left to the discretion of the employer.
In some cases, non-regulated occupations might require proof of academic achievement or certification. Credential assessment and recognition helps Canadian employers understand your qualifications. - How long will it take to get my credentials assessed, and how much will it cost?
The assessment of your educational and professional credentials can take anywhere from two to eight weeks. If you do not have all of your documents ready, it may take longer. Visit the Getting Started checklist which will help you prepare the documents you need. Contact the regulatory body for your profession in your province or territory to find out what you need and how long it might take. If you work in a non-regulated occupation, contact one of the credential assessment and recognition agencies.
The fee for having your credentials assessed also varies according to where you live and what the regulatory body for your profession requires. Fees usually start at about $100 for a basic assessment and can be more than $300.
- What is a regulated profession?
In Canada, some professions set their own standards of practice. These are called regulated professions. They set standards to protect the public.
In Canada, about 20 percent of jobs are regulated by the government to protect public health and safety. For example, nurses, doctors, engineers, teachers and electricians all work in regulated professions. People who want to work in regulated jobs need to get a licence from the regulatory body in the province or territory where they live.
Regulated professions are most commonly found in the following occupational fields:
- health care
- dental care
- financial services
- law and legal services
- engineering
If you want to work in a regulated occupation and use a regulated title, you MUST have a licence or certificate or be registered with the regulatory body for your occupation. Some occupations are regulated in some provinces or territories but not regulated in others.
- What is a regulatory body?
A regulatory body is an organization that sets the standards and practices of a profession.
For example, the College of Nurses of Ontario makes sure that its members are qualified to do a nurse's job. It also makes sure that members keep up their qualifications. - What do regulatory bodies do?
Regulatory bodies make sure that their members meet certain standards of practice. They have the authority to:
- set entry and training requirements
- set standards of practice
- assess qualifications
- register qualified applicants
- discipline members
Requirements for entry vary between the provinces and territories. They usually include examinations, a specified period of supervised work experience and an evaluation of language competency.
Regulation protects the health and safety of Canadians by ensuring that professionals meet the required standards of practice and competence.
- Can I work in my profession without registering?
It is against the law, in some regulated professions, to work or use the title of the profession if you are not registered with the regulatory body.
In other professions, you can do the work but must register if you want to use the professional title. For example, you may do the work of an accountant, but you must register to use the title of “chartered accountant.”
Other professions are not regulated by law, but have professional organizations. Some of these organizations provide certification courses and registration. Membership in these organizations is not required but is recommended because it may help you get work in your profession.
- How do I register?
Contact the regulatory body for your profession in your province or territory. Ask what you need to do. You can research your profession on the Working in Canada tool to determine if yours is a regulated profession.
- If I want to work in a regulated occupation, what can I do to get my qualifications assessed?
Each regulated occupation sets its own requirements for assessment, usually through the provincial or territorial professional association or regulatory body.
To qualify for practice in Canada, you may be required to undergo professional and language examinations, have your qualifications reviewed and undertake a period of supervised work experience.
You can find out more about the specific requirements to have your qualifications in your profession or trade recognized by contacting the regulatory body for your profession in your province or territory.
You should be aware that the recognition process is different in each province or territory and for each profession or trade. That’s why it is important to obtain all the information you need about the process and requirements before undertaking an assessment. - What is a non-regulated occupation?
A non-regulated occupation is a profession or trade with no legal requirement or restriction on practice. No licences, certificates or registration are required.
Most occupations in Canada fall into this category. For some non-regulated occupations, certification or registration with a professional body is available to applicants on a voluntary basis.
Applicants for non-regulated occupations must demonstrate to their potential employers that they possess the academic qualifications, experience and training required for the job.
Even when an occupation is not regulated, employers can still require that an applicant for a job be registered, licensed or certified with a professional association.
To find the professional association for your occupation, search the Working in Canada tool.
- If I want to work in a non-regulated occupation, what can I do to get my qualifications assessed?
For a non-regulated occupation, requirements for employment can vary greatly between employers.
You may be expected to demonstrate a certain level of skill and competence, to have years of education, and even to have personal characteristics suitable for the job.
Since these requirements are not regulated by provincial or territorial law, it is up to the employer to decide whether the qualifications you have earned outside Canada are equivalent to Canadian credentials required for the occupation.
Some employers will require, as a condition for employment, that applicants be registered or certified by the relevant professional association.
There are several ways to make the process easier for a potential employer:- Use the Getting Started page on this website to prepare for this process.
- Contact employers in your area of work experience to find out what the expectations are for employment in Canada. Search your occupation on the Working in Canada tool to see a job description and learn what skills are required to do this job in Canada.
- Check if there is voluntary certification or registration available and what the requirements are for certification. The Working in Canada tool can also help you with this.
- Do my documents
have to be in English or French?
Your education or certification documents must be available in English or French. Some community settlement agencies will translate your documents for free. This website can help you find a service near you. However, most translation services require that a fee be paid.
If you are submitting documents to regulatory or licensing agencies, credential assessment agencies or educational institutions, check with them to see which language is required.
Make sure that your documents are translated by a qualified translation service. To find a qualified translation service, contact the provincially approved credential assessment service in your province or territory.
- Do I need to know English or French to be certified?
Depending on where you live, you will need to know English or French. Some regulatory bodies give examinations in English only. Some may offer exams in both French and English.
- Will work conditions and work expectations be different in Canada?
That depends on where you come from and what field you were working in. Some things are different in Canada. For general information on working in Canada, visit the Going to Canada Portal.
- Can I work right away?
A Social Insurance Number is a mandatory requirement for anyone who wants to work in Canada. For temporary foreign workers, a work permit is also required.
If you want to work in a regulated profession, before you can start working, a regulatory body must assess your qualifications. The regulatory body might also ask for your résumé to assess your work experience. In most cases, you will have to write one or more examinations. You may also be asked to obtain some additional education.
- I need Canadian experience to get a job, but I can’t get a job without Canadian experience. What should I do?
If your work is a regulated profession in Canada, contact the regulatory body to see if there is an opportunity to gain Canadian work experience through an internship or through volunteer work.
Consider contacting potential employers and offer to volunteer. You will gain the Canadian work experience you need as well as a future reference from a Canadian employer.
- I don’t
have access to a computer at home. Where can I go to access
computers and free Internet service to search the Office website
and the other resources available?
Most public libraries have computers with Internet access. You can also visit your local settlement organization or a Service Canada Centre for access to computers and the Internet.
- What is a Social Insurance Number (SIN)? Do I need one?
Yes. A SIN is an important piece of identification. It is provided by the Government of Canada. You need a SIN to apply for services from the federal or provincial or territorial government, to get a job or to open a bank account. There are three ways to get a SIN:
- Visit any Service Canada Centre to pick up an application form. Find a Service Canada Centre near you.
- Find out more about getting a SIN through this website or call 1-800-206-7218. You can arrange to have an application form mailed to you.
- Download an application form
- Do I need a bank account?
Yes, you should open a bank account as soon as possible.
In most cases, you must have a bank account to cash a cheque made out in your name. Banks, trust companies and credit unions all offer bank accounts and many other financial services. Talk to different organizations to find out which one has the best services for you.
FAQs — Employers
- How do I know
if the credentials presented by an internationally trained
worker are valid?
There are five provincially mandated assessment agencies that provide assessment services across the country. In addition, many colleges and universities in Canada also offer academic assessment services. Also, in regulated occupations, regulatory or professional bodies have processes in place to assess the credentials of individuals leading to certification or licensing.
All of these institutions use rigorous processes to assess the credentials presented by an internationally trained worker. Ultimately, it is up to the employer to determine whether the paper credentials presented, and perhaps assessed by the appropriate institution, along with the competencies and work experience of an internationally trained worker meet the requirements of the job.
- Will the Foreign Credentials Referral Office help
internationally trained workers find the services they need
to improve their ability to communicate in English or French?
The Office website provides general information about free basic language training services offered by the Government of Canada as well as other language training services, offered by provinces and territories and immigrant-serving organizations. Visit the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada website for more information.
- How can the Foreign Credentials Referral Office assist
employers in making their workplaces more diverse, and therefore
more productive?
In a strong economy, labour shortages can reduce productivity. The Foreign Credentials Referral Office website offers employers links to practical human resources tools and resources and shows employers how their workplaces will benefit from having internationally trained workers integrated into their human resources strategies.
Employers can also learn about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Sector Councils, the Provincial Nominee Program, and other programs and initiatives that can assist employers in meeting their human resources demands while becoming more diverse.
- Will it cost more to train people who aren’t familiar with the Canadian workplace?
Internationally trained and educated individuals do not necessarily need more training than others to perform well in the workplace. In many cases, programs are available for internationally trained individuals at little or no cost. Local community groups, school boards and other organizations offer a wide variety of services for internationally trained individuals.
- How do I determine if internationally trained individuals can do the job?
Businesses need to find ways of assessing internationally trained individuals to be successful. Seventy-five percent of Canada’s work force growth now comes from immigration, and this is expected to be almost 100 percent before the decade ends.
Here are some ways to help determine whether an applicant is qualified to do a job and to help integrate internationally trained individuals into the workplace:
Credential assessment
The Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada can refer you to an organization that will complete an assessment of foreign credentials and help you make more informed decisions about hiring and recruiting. The organizations listed here are given authority by provincial and territorial governments to do foreign credential assessment and recognition.
Your local college or university might also be able to help evaluate internationally obtained credentials.
Internship programs
Internship programs are short-term employment programs that give applicants an opportunity to learn about the Canadian workplace while working.
- Employers benefit from the opportunity to determine a person’s capabilities without committing to a full-time position.
- Internationally trained individuals gain valuable experience and networking opportunities.
- Employers of interns have the first chance to hire qualified individuals for full-time positions before they’re hired by another company.
Mentoring
Mentoring is a good way to introduce and integrate internationally trained individuals into the work force. Businesses can often benefit from a smooth transition for internationally trained staff and also from the insight that the applicant may have gained from years of international experience.
Bridge training
Bridge-training projects offer individuals training, education and other supports for specific occupations or trades. These innovative projects help people move quickly into the labour market without duplicating what they have already learned elsewhere.
Contact your local immigrant settlement organization to see if they offer bridge-training programs.
- Why hire internationally trained individuals?
Any business that limits itself by not considering every qualified applicant is putting itself at a competitive disadvantage. Today, more than ever before, newcomers have high levels of education and training. Taking advantage of the pool of internationally trained individuals can provide a competitive edge.
Read a detailed business case for hiring internationally trained individuals.
- What can I learn from other employers who have hired internationally trained individuals?
There are many good sources of information on how companies have successfully hired internationally trained individuals.