On Labour Day, the Ontario government announced upcoming changes to help out-of-province workers in regulated professions start working in the province more quickly.
Through the new “As of Right” framework, certified professionals will be able to gain authorization to work in Ontario in as little as 10 days, compared to the current process that can take up to six months.
Beginning January 1, 2026, these labour mobility rules will apply to a wide range of regulated professions. The changes will not apply to individuals working in non-regulated professions.
Ontario’s “As of Right” Framework: Key Rules Explained
Ontario’s new legislation will make it faster for certified professionals from other provinces and territories to begin working in the province.
Starting January 1, out-of-province professionals will be able to start working in Ontario within 10 business days once their credentials are validated by the appropriate regulatory authority. They may then work for up to six months while completing the full registration process with the Ontario regulatory body for their profession.
Currently, workers often wait several months—sometimes up to half a year—before being fully registered and allowed to work.
The “As of Right” framework applies to more than 50 Ontario regulatory bodies and over 300 certifications, affecting professions such as architects, engineers, and electricians. With nearly 20% of Canadian professions regulated, the impact is expected to be significant.
“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, in a September 1 news release.
A Guide to Ontario’s New Labour Mobility Framework
Certified professionals from other provinces or territories who wish to work in non-health occupations in Ontario will need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Find the regulatory authority responsible for your profession or trade in Ontario.
Step 2: Submit a labour mobility application according to the authority’s specific requirements and guidelines.
Once your application and all required documents have been submitted, the regulatory authority must issue a certification decision within 30 calendar days.
What the New Rules Mean for Healthcare Workers
The new labour mobility legislation applies only to specific healthcare professions. Under the “As of Right” regulations, eligibility extends to:
From other Canadian provinces and territories:
- Physicians
- Surgeons
- Registered nurses
- Registered practical nurses
- Nurse practitioners
- Respiratory therapists
- Medical laboratory technologists
From U.S. states or the District of Columbia:
- Board-certified physicians or surgeons (certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association)
- Registered nurses, registered practical nurses, or nurse practitioners
Other regulated healthcare professions—such as pharmacists, dentists, and psychiatrists—are not included under the new rules starting next year.
Certified healthcare workers who qualify can begin working in Ontario almost immediately, without first registering with an Ontario health regulatory college, provided they meet 10 specific conditions.
How Ontario Workers Can Practice in Other Provinces
Ontario-certified professionals who wish to work in another province or territory will also benefit from upcoming regulatory changes.
The Government of Ontario has already signed 10 agreements with provinces and territories across Canada to support reciprocal labour mobility, allowing workers to transfer their certifications more easily.
Because most regulated professions share similar occupational standards across the country, certification from one jurisdiction can be more readily recognized in another.
These new rules apply to professions overseen by Ontario’s regulatory bodies under the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009 (OLMA).
For more information, workers, employers, or regulators can refer to the labour mobility FAQ webpage.
Guide to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) allows foreign nationals to apply for Canadian permanent residence through a variety of provincial immigration streams, enabling them to live and work in Ontario.
Most OINP streams require applicants to have either a valid job offer or relevant work experience. Three specific streams are job-offer based:
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
- Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
Applications for these three streams are managed through the Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Many of the eligible occupations under the Foreign Worker and In-Demand Skills streams are regulated professions that may also benefit from Ontario’s new “As of Right” labour mobility rules.
Other OINP streams are aligned with Express Entry, including:
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- Skilled Trades Stream
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
For these Express Entry-aligned streams, a job offer is not required, but candidates must have a valid Express Entry profile to be considered.
So far in 2025, the OINP has issued 8,799 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across its different streams.
