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My Occupation Is Regulated

In a regulated profession, you must have a license or certificate from the appropriate regulatory body that governs the occupation you want to work in. Each regulatory body evaluates educational qualifications, work experience, and professional skills in different ways. Many internationally trained professionals decide to find employment in non-regulated professions because of the the cost and time needed to re-license.

Mutual Recognition

Some certifications from other countries are recognized in British Columbia through a Mutual Recognition Agreement. If the certification for your occupation is recognized in British Columbia, this is the easiest way to get certified.

  • For Example: Engineers registered in Australia, Hong Kong and Ireland can apply to be engineers in Canada under a streamlined process because of a Mutual Recognition Agreement.

If there is no Mutual Recognition Agreement, find out about other paths to certification under “Certification Process” below. Often there are specific paths to recognition for internationally trained professionals.

Certification Process

Contact the organization responsible for certifying your occupation to find out more about mutual recognition agreements and other paths to certification.

Find out if you need certification and find links to certifying organizations.
Find out if there is a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for your occupation.
Certification may require an examination of your education and experience.
Guide to the certification process.

Get Help

Provides support for immigrants to become certified in regulated occupations.
Provides access to loans to cover the costs of registering for certification and guidance on how to best navigate the process.
Current and upcoming funding opportunities for government grants and contributions that help support jobs, training, and social development.
Low interest lending to help pay for registering for certification.

Alternative Careers

Applying for certification can be a long and expensive process and may require additional training. If you are unable to successfully apply for certification, or while you are waiting to complete the certification process, you may be able to use your skills in other occupations.

For Example:

  • If you are trained as a counselling psychologist but are unable to certify with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia you may be able to work as a counsellor.
  • If you haven’t been licensed as a Professional Electrical Engineer you may be able to do electrical engineering work under the supervision of an electrical engineer.
Other careers that may fit with your skills and education.
Learn how to apply your skills to a new career.
Provides support for immigrants to get further training and to find alternative careers.

Useful Websites

View the process for working in regulated occupations.