Encouraging Continuous Improvement
2011-12 Assessment of Professional Licensing
In 2011, the Office of the Fairness Commissioner embarked on an ambitious endeavour: the first comprehensive assessment of professional registration practices to be conducted in Canada.
Between September 2011 and August 2012, the OFC completed 37 assessments. While the process found regulators to be generally working in good faith to adhere to their fair-access duties, it highlighted 12 key areas for further improvement and made wide-ranging recommendations.
Internationally trained applicants struggle to take their place in Ontario professions. Applications and membership both climbed at slower rates for internationally trained applicants than for Ontario applicants.
Since the introduction of the fair-access law, the number of internationally trained professionals licensed to practise in Ontario has grown almost 20%. Nevertheless, applicants continue to experience challenges with regard to recognition of international training and experience, as well as the length, cost and complexity of the registration process.
A Fair Way to Go: Access to Ontario's Regulated Professions and the Need to Embrace Newcomers in the Global Economy
12 key areas for further improvement
| Top 12 areas for improvement | How improvements contribute to fair access |
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To ensure no one is excluded unfairly, regulators must be able to explain why requirements are necessary and relevant for safe and competent professional practice. Assessment needs to be more flexible, going beyond a narrow focus on academic credentials to recognize the variety of ways individuals develop professional knowledge and skills. |
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More accessible information and efficient processes would help all qualified professionals both begin and complete the registration process without unnecessary expense or delay. |
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Well-trained decision-makers ensure consistent, fair and impartial assessments and registration decisions. |
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Improved information and better access to records for applicants are critical to ensuring effective access to appeals. |
Summaries of Assessment Reports
Click on the links below to read the summaries.
- Ontario Association of Architects
- College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario
- College of Chiropodists of Ontario
- College of Chiropractors of Ontario
- College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario
- Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
- College of Dental Technologists of Ontario
- College of Dietitians of Ontario
- College of Early Childhood Educators
- Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists
- Professional Engineers Ontario
- Ontario Professional Foresters Association
- Certified General Accountants of Ontario
- Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario
- Association of Ontario Land Surveyors
- Law Society of Upper Canada
- Certified Management Accountants of Ontario
- College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
- College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
- College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario
- College of Midwives of Ontario
- College of Nurses of Ontario
- College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
- College of Opticians of Ontario
- College of Optometrists of Ontario
- Ontario College of Pharmacists
- College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
- College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
- College of Psychologists of Ontario
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario
- Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
- Ontario College of Teachers
- College of Veterinarians of Ontario
Summary of actions regulatory bodies have taken as of May 31, 2013, to address recommendations in the assessment reports.
| Profession | Implementation complete by May 31, 2013 (Y/N) | 2012 total membership |
| Architects | Y | 3,324 |
| Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists | Y | 3,606 |
| Chartered Accountants | Y | 36,301 |
| Chiropodists | N | 606 |
| Chiropractors | N | 4,356 |
| Dental Hygienists | Y | 12,722 |
| Dental Surgeons | Y | 8,941 |
| Dental Technologists | Y | 545 |
| Dietitians | N | 3,451 |
| Early Childhood Educators | Y | 41,462 |
| Engineering Technicians and Technologists | Y | 16,870 |
| Engineers | N | 75,981 |
| Foresters | N | 776 |
| General Accountants | N | 21,889 |
| Geoscientists | N | 2,132 |
| Land Surveyors | N | 598 |
| Lawyers | N | 44,652 |
| Management Accountants | Y | 20,614 |
| Massage Therapists | N | 11,200 |
| Medical Laboratory Technologists | Y | 7,684 |
| Medical Radiation Technologists | Y | 6,784 |
| Midwives | Y | 638 |
| Nurses | Y | 162,585 |
| Occupational Therapists | Y | 5,062 |
| Opticians | N | 2,546 |
| Optometrists | Y | 2,072 |
| Paralegals | not applicable (no recommendations) | 4,912 |
| Pharmacists | Y | 13,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | Y | 1,023 |
| Physicians and Surgeons | Y | 37,684 |
| Physiotherapists | Y | 7,615 |
| Psychologists | N | 3,538 |
| Respiratory Therapists | Y | 2,873 |
| Social Service Workers | Y | 1,795 |
| Social Workers | Y | 13,726 |
| Teachers | Y | 237,249 |
| Veterinarians | N | 4,400 |
Please note that assessments and deadlines for action plans were staggered.
