How to certify your studies in Canada: Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) versus Certification and Licensing Processes

If you would like to come to Canada and work within your field, there are a few important steps to follow in order to make sure you are able to practice.

1. Determine whether your occupation is regulated or non-regulated in the province you wish to reside.

A regulated occupation is one that is controlled by provincial and/ or sometimes federal law and governed by a professional organization or regulatory body. Certification and Licensing regulations and procedures for a specific occupation are set by each institution so they vary from province to province. Some occupations may be regulated in some provinces while not in others.

2. If your occupation is non-regulated, it means your credentials can be accepted by an employer in Canada. In this case, we recommend you to obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is valid and equal to a Canadian one. If you have any questions regarding the ECA certification process, please contact us here.

3. If your occupation is in fact regulated, it means you will have to go through a Licensing or Certification Process set by the regulatory body of the province of your choice. Each profession and province have their own procedures. The first thing to do is to contact the provincial or federal authority in charge of the regulatory process.

Below you can find the regulatory bodies for some of the most sought-after occupations:

• - Nurses – visit https://www.nnas.ca/

- Engineers – visit https://engineerscanada.ca/become-an-engineer/for-internationally-trained-engineers

- Radiation Technologists – visit https://www.camrt.ca/certification-4/internationally-educated-medical-radiation-technologists-iemrts/

• Contact us for more information on other occupations or certification and licensing processes.