As fairness commissioner, my job is to make sure that licensing in the professions is fair.
Last year, I began to assess the licensing practices of the regulatory bodies. The purpose of assessment is lasting improvement … translating the principles of the fairness law into actions.
Now, my staff and I are at the mid-way point in our assessment.
We have found more commendable practices than inadequate ones. Let me mention a few:
- Early Childhood Educators: The college surveyed its members who received a Certificate of Registration between September 1, 2010, and June 16, 2011, to get feedback regarding their experiences during their registration process. More info.
- Geoscientists: Internationally trained applicants and geoscientist-in-training applicants can download applications and register online. The regulatory body also provides online self-assessment tools for minimum knowledge requirements and work experience requirements. More info.
- Opticians: An excellent flow chart on the college website explains the registration process for domestic and international applicants. More info.
- Lawyers: The Law Society has its own program for helping applicants financially. More info.
- Physiotherapists: The college explains clearly why each of its registration requirements is needed to practise the profession in Ontario and posts this information. More info.
- Psychologists: The college has removed the registration requirement for three reference letters. More info.
I am pleased that regulators are implementing our recommendations. Our system for improvement is showing results. Because of our work, qualified individuals will have faster, fairer access to their professions.
Elsewhere on this site, you may read about the assessments we have done so far.
January 31, 2012
