Get your credentials recognised

Three things to figure out first

1. Is your profession regulated? Some jobs in Ontario require a licence (doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, electricians). Most don't (managers, software developers, marketers, drivers).
2. Do you need an academic credential evaluation? Many employers and licensing bodies want a Canadian assessment of your foreign degree.
3. Is bridging or retraining needed? If yes, there's funding available.

Step 1 — Find out if your profession is regulated

Use the official Job Bank Canada tool — search your job and it tells you if it's regulated and which body licenses it.

Job Bank credential tool →

Common regulated professions in Ontario:

• Health: doctor (CPSO), nurse (CNO), pharmacist, dentist, physiotherapist, lab technologist
• Engineering: Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO)
• Teaching: Ontario College of Teachers
• Law: Law Society of Ontario
• Skilled trades: Skilled Trades Ontario — electricians, plumbers, HVAC, welders, mechanics
• Accounting: CPA Ontario
• Social work: OCSWSSW

Step 2 — Get your foreign degree evaluated

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) compares your foreign degree to a Canadian equivalent. You usually need one for immigration, employer applications, or licensing. The most common providers:

• World Education Services (WES) — the most widely used; required by many regulators and employers. Cost: about $250 + courier.
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
• International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
• Comparative Education Service (University of Toronto)
• ICES (BC-based, accepted nationally)

Pick whichever your target regulator or employer specifies. WES is the safest default if no specific provider is named.

Step 3 — Bridging programs in Northern Ontario

Bridging programs help internationally-trained professionals fill the gap between their existing skills and Canadian standards. Many are subsidised — sometimes free.

• Confederation College (Thunder Bay) — bridging programs in nursing, business, IT, and trades. Has a dedicated International Education department.
• Lakehead University International (Thunder Bay) — graduate-level bridging and PR pathway programs.
• Cambrian College (Sudbury), Sault College, Northern College (Timmins, Kirkland Lake), Canadore College (North Bay) — all run bridging streams.

For internationally-trained nurses (IENs) and medical graduates (IMGs), the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses and HealthForceOntario programs run virtually and accept Northern Ontario residents.

Step 4 — Fund your retraining: Windmill Microlending

Windmill Microlending is a national charity that lends newcomers money to cover credential recognition costs — exam fees, courses, licensing, and even living expenses while you study.

• Loans up to $15,000
• Fixed interest: 5.95% (or 4.45% for healthcare professionals)
• Interest-only payments while studying — pay back the principal after you're licensed and earning
• Free career coaching and mentorship included
• 20+ years operating; 13,500+ skilled immigrants supported; clients triple their income on average

Take Windmill's 1-minute eligibility quiz on their website to see if you qualify before applying.

Other funding to know about

• Ontario Bridge Training Program — Ontario.ca lists subsidised programs by profession (nursing, engineering, teaching, etc.)
• Second Career / Better Jobs Ontario — funding for laid-off workers retraining (some newcomers eligible)
• Canada Apprentice Loan — interest-free loan for skilled trades apprentices
• Foreign Credential Recognition Loan Pilot — federal pilot, ask Windmill about latest rounds

Northern Ontario only — Skilled Newcomer Career Loan

If you live in the Nipissing district (North Bay and surrounding area), the Northeastern Ontario Multicultural Centre (NOMC) runs a local Skilled Newcomer Career Loan to help skilled newcomers cover the cost of credential upgrading — exam fees, course costs, and related expenses. It's smaller and more local than Windmill, and sometimes a faster fit for North Bay-area applicants. Contact NOMC at 705-495-8931 or info@neomc.ca to ask about current eligibility and intake.

What to expect — realistic timelines

Profession	Typical time to license
Foreign-trained doctor (IMG)	3–6 years (residency + licensing)
Foreign-trained nurse (IEN)	1–2 years
Engineer (P.Eng)	1–3 years (Confirmatory Examination Program + experience)
Teacher	6 months–2 years (depends on province + ECA)
Electrician / red seal trade	~1 year (challenge exam + experience verification)
Accountant (CPA)	1–2 years

Many newcomers work in their field at a different level while they re-credential — e.g., as a Personal Support Worker while pursuing nursing licensure, or as a teaching assistant while registering with the Ontario College of Teachers.

Common newcomer pitfalls

• Waiting to start the process — start your ECA before you arrive if you can. WES accepts applications from anywhere.
• Not knowing your profession is regulated — and applying for jobs you can't legally hold without a licence.
• Avoiding bridging programs because of cost — Windmill exists exactly for this.
• Settling for "survival jobs" without a plan — the survival job is fine; the lack of a recredential plan is what hurts long-term.
• Going through a paid "consultant" who isn't a regulated immigration advisor — most ECA and licensing applications you can do yourself or with free settlement help.

Last reviewed: April 2026. Confirm current eligibility, fees, and timelines on each provider's official site before applying. Windmill rates and Ontario Bridge Training programs update annually.