Get more information about the Directory of Occupational Profiles

This on-line directory is maintained by CICIC in consultation with the provincial/territorial ministries and departments responsible for education in Canada.

Information included in the directory

It is a comprehensive on-line information system of CURRENTLY regulated and a number of non-regulated occupations in the provinces and territories of Canada.

The directory includes:

• all regulated occupations and their regulatory bodies;
• some non-regulated occupations and their professional associations, for which there is voluntary certification, licensing, or registration;
• some mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) in specific occupations that may facilitate international mobility of individuals.

It is continually updated to reflect the latest available information.

Information not included in this directory

We do not publish:

• a complete list of non-regulated occupations;
• a list of PREVIOUSLY regulated and/or non-regulated occupations in the provinces and territories of Canada.

With continual regulatory changes, it is also possible that the latest available information is not yet in CICIC's information systems. We always recommend that you contact us or the regulatory authority in the province or territory in which you wish to work to obtain a confirmation.

If you are unable to find your intended occupation in this directory, it has no bearing on your eligibility for immigration to Canada.

List of terms specifically used in the directory

1. Regulated occupations: An occupation controlled by provincial and territorial (and sometimes federal) law, and governed by a regulatory body. About 20 per cent of jobs are in regulated occupations. These include regulated professions (e.g., nursing) and skilled trades (e.g., plumbing).

   The law requires you to obtain a certificate, licence, or registration to use the reserved title for the occupation or obtain the exclusive right to practise the occupation. These regulations are intended to protect the health and safety of Canadians by ensuring that professionals meet the required standards of practice and competency.

   There are two types of regulation:
   
   1. Exclusive right to practise: A profession whose members are the only ones who can engage in the profession's activities and use the title allowed them by law. The law defines, among other things, the professional activities strictly reserved for the members of each regulatory body.
   2. Reserved title: A profession where only members of a regulatory body can make use of specific titles and abbreviations allowed them by law. Individuals who are not members of that regulatory body may practise the occupation, but they may not use any of these titles or allow others to believe (by using a similar title or abbreviation) they are members of a regulatory body.



2. Non-regulated occupations: A profession or trade for which there is no legal requirement or restriction on practice with regard to licences, certificates, or registration.