Ontario is set to expedite the licensing process for healthcare professionals from other provinces, starting January 1, 2026. This initiative will add 16 more regulated professions to Ontario’s ‘As of Right’ rules, enabling qualified individuals to obtain licenses in as little as 10 days, a significant reduction from the previous waiting period.
Newly Added Professions:
Profession: NOC Code
- Audiologist / Speech-Language Pathologist: 31112
- Chiropodist: 31209
- Dental Hygienist: 32111
- Dental Technologist: 32112
- Dentist: 31110
- Denturist: 32110
- Dietitian: 31121
- Medical Radiation & Imaging Technologist: 32121
- Midwife: 31303
- Occupational Therapist: 31203
- Optician: 32100
- Optometrist: 31111
- Pharmacist / Pharmacy Technician: 31120 / 32124
- Physician Assistant: 31303
- Physiotherapist: 31202
- Psychologist: 31200
In addition, Ontario will permit doctors and nurses who are already licensed in other provinces to commence work within two business days, a move welcomed by Labour and Immigration Minister David Piccini. This change is aimed at addressing healthcare staffing shortages and bolstering Ontario’s workforce. The ‘As of Right’ framework now encompasses more than 300 regulated occupations across 50 professional bodies.