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:

• 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.
• 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.

A profession or trade for which there is no legal requirement or restriction on practice with regard to licences, certificates, or registration.

• Voluntary certification, licence, or registration: The province or territory in which voluntary certification, licensing, or registration is available but not required by law..
• No certification, licence, or registration exists