1 Confirm your occupation

Receptionists (1414)

Description

Receptionists greet people arriving at offices, hospitals and other establishments, direct visitors to appropriate person or service, answer and forward telephone calls, take messages, schedule appointments and perform other clerical duties. They are employed by hospitals, medical and dental offices and in other offices throughout the public and private sectors. Telephone operators are included in this group.

Skill Level C

Skill Type 1

National Occupational Classification (NOC)

Other titles

admitting clerk
answering service operator
appointment clerk
business receptionist
charge operator - telephone system
chief telephone operator
clerk switchboard operator
clerk, hospital admissions
collect call operator - telephone system
dental office receptionist
dental receptionist
doctor's office receptionist
emergency admitting clerk
front desk clerk (except hotel)
hospital admissions clerk
hospital admitting clerk
hospital receptionist
information desk clerk
international exchange operator - telephone system
long distance telephone operator
mail and message distribution clerk
medical clinic receptionist
medical office assistant
medical office secretary-receptionist
medical receptionist
office reception clerk
office receptionist
operator - telephone system
operator, switchboard
operator, telephone answering service
reception clerk
reception clerk, office
reception desk clerk (except hotel)
receptionist
receptionist, hospital
receptionist, medical clinic
receptionist-clerk
receptionist-secretary
receptionist-switchboard operator
receptionist-telephone operator
receptionist-typist
secretary-receptionist, medical office
service assistant - telephone system
switchboard operator
switchboard operator, clerical
telephone answering service operator
telephone clerk
telephone operator
telephone operator, long distance
telephone service analyst
telephone service assistant
telereceptionist
toll operator
voice communication system operator

Related Occupations

2 Confirm the occupational regulations

Regulations and laws

Regulations and laws governing specific occupations are fixed by provincial and territorial governments around specific occupations.

Occupations in the tourism/hospitality industry are not regulated in Canada. This means that you are not required to register with one of the provincial or territorial regulatory authorities to be authorized to practise occupations in the tourism industry anywhere in Canada.

	Regulated		Non-regulated
	Mandatory certification, licence, or registration		Voluntary certification, licence, or registration	No certification, licence, or registration exists
	Exclusive right to practise	Reserved title	Available	None
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon

Definition

Regulated occupation:

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.

Non-regulated occupation:

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

3 Learn about credential assessment and recognition

It is strongly recommended that you gather all supporting documents and arrange for them to be sent while you are still in the country in which they were issued. It is very important to submit documents for assessment following the specific process required by the provincial/territorial regulatory authority (see list below). This will greatly facilitate the assessment and recognition process.

Use the tabs below to find information on credential assessment and any mobility agreements in place.

Occupational assessment

Additional certification (voluntary)

The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC), in collaboration with provincial/territorial associations, offers voluntary certification through the emerit professional certification programs. This voluntary certification can be completed on-line prior to your arrival in Canada.

Internationally trained individuals

Prior to your arrival in Canada, consult the following Web sites:

These on-line tools may assist you in identifying the required skills and ideal pathway to recognition in Canada.

Immigration

Immigration to Canada

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the department responsible for immigration to Canada.

For more detailed information on IRCC's requirements for immigration programs, visit their Web site.

Immigration to Quebec (Canada)

Under the Canada-Québec Accord on immigration, Quebec establishes its own immigration requirements and selects immigrants who will adapt to living in Quebec.

To obtain more information on Quebec's immigration programs and eligibility criteria, please consult the Web site of the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Diversité et de l'Inclusion du Québec (MIDI).

Additional information

Whether or not you obtain certification and/or licensure to pursue work in your occupation, if you later choose to pursue work in a non-regulated occupation, employers may request that you provide them with a formal assessment of your academic credentials.

Before undertaking an academic credential assessment for general purposes, it is extremely important to verify that the employer requires and will accept an assessment report issued by one of the six members of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC).

If so, contact one of the academic credential assessment services below to obtain detailed information on:

application forms;
how to submit your international academic credentials for assessment;
timelines and fees for obtaining an academic credential assessment report.

An academic credential assessment for general purposes can take between several weeks to several months to obtain. It is strongly recommended that you begin this process prior to your arrival in Canada.

Although assessment services offer expert advice on how qualifications obtained outside Canada compare with those obtained in Canada, their assessments are advisory only. In Canada, they do not guarantee recognition of your qualifications for:

admission at an educational institution;
certification, licensing, or registration in an occupation; and/or
general employment.

All six members of the Alliance adhere to the Pan-Canadian Quality Assurance Framework for the Assessment of International Academic Credentials, and their assessments are used by many organizations. For more information on the Alliance, please visit its Web site, or use the information below to connect directly with its members.

British Columbia

International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)

3700 Willingdon Avenue Burnaby, British Columbia V5G3H2 Canada

icesinfo@bcit.ca

Telephone : (+1) 604-434-5734

Fax : (+1) 604-435-7033

Ontario

World Education Services - Canada (WES)

1400 - 2 Carlton Street Toronto, Ontario M5B1J3 Canada

Telephone : (+1) 416-972-0070

Fax : (+1) 416-972-9004

Comparative Education Service (CES)

162 St. George Street, University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Toronto, Ontario M5S2V8 Canada

ces.info@utoronto.ca

Telephone : (+1) 416-978-2400

Fax : (+1) 416-978-2185

International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)

102 - 100 Stone Road West Guelph, Ontario N1G5L3 Canada

info@icascanada.ca

Telephone : (+1) 519-763-7282

Fax : (+1) 519-763-6964

Quebec

Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et Intégration du Québec (MIFI)

Service de l’analyse des diplômes internationaux (SADI), 285 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, 4e étage Montréal, Quebec H2Y 1T8 Canada

Telephone : (+1) 514-864-9191

Mobility

International mobility

Find out more about international mobility and MRAs.

Financial assistance

Internationally trained professionals may have access to financial assistance to complete the assessment process that will allow them to work in their intended occupations. These micro-loan programs are offered to citizens or permanent residents of Canada who were trained outside Canada and do not have sufficient credit history to borrow from a Canadian financial institution.

To learn about participating provinces and territories, and determine your eligibility, use the information below to find an organization close to you offering micro loans.

Windmill Microlending
Suite 709, 7015 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary Alberta
T2H2K6 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 403-228-9981
Suite 2020 (Scotia Place Tower 1) 10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton Alberta
T5J3R8 Canada
Bureau 710, 5455 Avenue de Gaspé
Montréal Quebec
H2T3B3 Canada
220 - 20th St W. Suite 219, Second Level
Saskatoon Saskatchewan
S7M0W9 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 306-974-4856
Suite 300, 165 Avenue Rd
Toronto Ontario
M5R3S4 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 416-360-4445
Suite 709, 7015 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary Alberta
T2H2K6 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 403-228-9981
Suite 2020 (Scotia Place Tower 1) 10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton Alberta
T5J3R8 Canada
Bureau 710, 5455 Avenue de Gaspé
Montréal Quebec
H2T3B3 Canada
220 - 20th St W. Suite 219, Second Level
Saskatoon Saskatchewan
S7M0W9 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 306-974-4856
Suite 300, 165 Avenue Rd
Toronto Ontario
M5R3S4 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 416-360-4445
Suite 709, 7015 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary Alberta
T2H2K6 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 403-228-9981
Suite 2020 (Scotia Place Tower 1) 10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton Alberta
T5J3R8 Canada
Bureau 710, 5455 Avenue de Gaspé
Montréal Quebec
H2T3B3 Canada
220 - 20th St W. Suite 219, Second Level
Saskatoon Saskatchewan
S7M0W9 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 306-974-4856
Suite 300, 165 Avenue Rd
Toronto Ontario
M5R3S4 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 416-360-4445
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. - Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Loan Project
238 - 8131 Westminster Hwy
Richmond British Columbia
V6X 1A7 Canada
Supporting Employment and Economic Development (SEED Winnipeg) Inc. SEED
80 Salter Street
Winnipeg Manitoba
R2W4J6 Canada
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia ISANS
ISANS Desmond, Bayers Road Professional Centre, 7071 Bayers Road, Suite 164 (Desmond Avenue entrance)
Halifax Nova Scotia
B3L2C2 Canada
Main office, 2120 - 6960 Mumford Road
Halifax Nova Scotia
B3L4P1 Canada
ISANS Joseph Howe, 2717 Joseph Howe Drive, Second Floor
Halifax Nova Scotia
B3L4T9 Canada
WIL Employment Connections - Internationally Trained Workers
141 Dundas Street, 4th Floor
London Ontario
N6A 1G3 Canada
Canada Microcredit Educators Group - Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Pilot Project
420 University Ave, Suite 200, P.O. Box 1551
Charlottetown Prince Edward Island
C1A 7Z5 Canada
Microcrédit Montréal
319 - 3680 rue Jeanne Mance
Montreal Quebec
H2X 2K5 Canada

Alberta

Windmill Microlending
Suite 709, 7015 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary Alberta
T2H2K6 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 403-228-9981
Suite 2020 (Scotia Place Tower 1) 10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton Alberta
T5J3R8 Canada
Bureau 710, 5455 Avenue de Gaspé
Montréal Quebec
H2T3B3 Canada
220 - 20th St W. Suite 219, Second Level
Saskatoon Saskatchewan
S7M0W9 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 306-974-4856
Suite 300, 165 Avenue Rd
Toronto Ontario
M5R3S4 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 416-360-4445

British Columbia

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. - Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Loan Project
238 - 8131 Westminster Hwy
Richmond British Columbia
V6X 1A7 Canada

Manitoba

Supporting Employment and Economic Development (SEED Winnipeg) Inc. SEED
80 Salter Street
Winnipeg Manitoba
R2W4J6 Canada

New Brunswick

Multicultural Association of Fredericton
28 Saunders Street
Fredericton New Brunswick
E3B 1N1 Canada
Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area
22 Church St, Suite C170
Moncton New Brunswick
E1C 0P7 Canada
YMCA of Greater Saint John
191 Churchill Blvd.
Saint John New Brunswick
E2K 3E2 Canada

Newfoundland and Labrador

AXIS Career Services, Association for New Canadians
A/S Association for New Canadians, 10 Smithville Crescent, P.O.Box 2031, Stn. C
St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador
A1C 5R6 Canada

Nova Scotia

Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia ISANS
ISANS Desmond, Bayers Road Professional Centre, 7071 Bayers Road, Suite 164 (Desmond Avenue entrance)
Halifax Nova Scotia
B3L2C2 Canada
Main office, 2120 - 6960 Mumford Road
Halifax Nova Scotia
B3L4P1 Canada
ISANS Joseph Howe, 2717 Joseph Howe Drive, Second Floor
Halifax Nova Scotia
B3L4T9 Canada

Ontario

Windmill Microlending
Suite 709, 7015 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary Alberta
T2H2K6 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 403-228-9981
Suite 2020 (Scotia Place Tower 1) 10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton Alberta
T5J3R8 Canada
Bureau 710, 5455 Avenue de Gaspé
Montréal Quebec
H2T3B3 Canada
220 - 20th St W. Suite 219, Second Level
Saskatoon Saskatchewan
S7M0W9 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 306-974-4856
Suite 300, 165 Avenue Rd
Toronto Ontario
M5R3S4 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 416-360-4445
WIL Employment Connections - Internationally Trained Workers
141 Dundas Street, 4th Floor
London Ontario
N6A 1G3 Canada
Ottawa Community Loan Fund OCLF
2211 Riverside Dr., Suite 308
Ottawa Ontario
K1H7X5 Canada
Achēv
Brampton East, 263 Queen Street East, Unit 14
Brampton Ontario
L6W4K6 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 905-595-0722
Brampton South, 7700 Hurontario Street, Unit 601
Brampton Ontario
L6Y4M3 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 905-457-4747
Mississauga - Malton, 7420 Airport Road, Suite 104
Mississauga Ontario
L4T4E5 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 905-677-0007
Mississauga - City Centre, 50 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Suite 300/410
Mississauga Ontario
L5B3C2 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 905-949-0049
Head Office, 90 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Suite 210
Mississauga Ontario
L5B3C3 Canada
Oakville, 690 Dorval Drive, Suite 100
Oakville Ontario
L6K3X9 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 905-875-3851
Pickering, 1099 Kingston Rd, #240
Pickering Ontario
L1V1B5 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 905-420-1919
Richmond Hill,420 Hwy 7 East #204B
Richmond Hill Ontario
L4B3K2 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 855-330-8655
North York, 1090 Don Mills Road, Suite 406
Toronto Ontario
M3C3R6 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 416-444-8744
Toronto, 100 Lombard St. Suite 400
Toronto Ontario
M5C1M3 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 416-964-9797

Prince Edward Island

Canada Microcredit Educators Group - Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Pilot Project
420 University Ave, Suite 200, P.O. Box 1551
Charlottetown Prince Edward Island
C1A 7Z5 Canada

Quebec

Windmill Microlending
Suite 709, 7015 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary Alberta
T2H2K6 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 403-228-9981
Suite 2020 (Scotia Place Tower 1) 10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton Alberta
T5J3R8 Canada
Bureau 710, 5455 Avenue de Gaspé
Montréal Quebec
H2T3B3 Canada
220 - 20th St W. Suite 219, Second Level
Saskatoon Saskatchewan
S7M0W9 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 306-974-4856
Suite 300, 165 Avenue Rd
Toronto Ontario
M5R3S4 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 416-360-4445
Microcrédit Montréal
319 - 3680 rue Jeanne Mance
Montreal Quebec
H2X 2K5 Canada

Saskatchewan

Windmill Microlending
Suite 709, 7015 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary Alberta
T2H2K6 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 403-228-9981
Suite 2020 (Scotia Place Tower 1) 10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton Alberta
T5J3R8 Canada
Bureau 710, 5455 Avenue de Gaspé
Montréal Quebec
H2T3B3 Canada
220 - 20th St W. Suite 219, Second Level
Saskatoon Saskatchewan
S7M0W9 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 306-974-4856
Suite 300, 165 Avenue Rd
Toronto Ontario
M5R3S4 Canada
Telephone : (+1) 416-360-4445

5 Contact professional associations

Membership-based organizations provide services to paying members, but you are not required by law to join them. They provide services that may include voluntary certification, publications, professional networking opportunities, continuing education programs, and advocacy.