Ontario has recently proposed expanding the list of regulated healthcare professionals eligible for expedited work authorization. The province plans to include 16 additional healthcare occupations, such as dentists, psychologists, and dietitians, under its ‘As of Right’ regulations. This move aims to streamline the process for practitioners certified in other provinces to practice in Ontario, potentially reducing the authorization timeline from six months to just 10 days. The new regulations are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, with provisions for quicker certification for physicians and nurses. The government’s goal is to facilitate faster workforce integration, fostering economic growth and ensuring community well-being. The ‘As of Right’ framework extends beyond healthcare, covering 50 regulatory bodies and nearly 300 regulated professions in Ontario.
Additional Professions
The following table outlines the 16 professions proposed for inclusion in Ontario’s ‘As of Right’ framework, along with their corresponding National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:
| Profession | NOC code |
|---|---|
| Audiologists / Speech-Language Pathologist | 31112 |
| Chiropodist | 31209 |
| Dental Hygienist | 32111 |
| Dental Technologist | 32112 |
| Dentist | 31110 |
| Denturist | 32110 |
| Dietitian | 31121 |
| Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologist | 32121 |
| Midwife | 31303 |
| Occupational Therapist | 31203 |
| Optician |