Ontario to Welcome 16 New Healthcare Fields Under Faster Licensing Plan

Ontario is taking big steps to make it easier for healthcare professionals from across Canada to work in the province. The government plans to expand its “As of Right” rules to include 16 more regulated health professions. These include dentists, psychologists, dietitians, physiotherapists, and optometrists.

The proposed change will help certified professionals from other provinces get authorization to work in Ontario within just 10 days after their credentials are verified. Right now, that same process can take up to six months. The government expects the new rules to start on January 1, 2026.

Helping Workers Join the System Faster
Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, David Piccini, said the move will make a big difference for both healthcare workers and communities. “By making it easier for workers from the rest of the country to get on the job faster, our government is driving economic growth and protecting our workers and communities,” he said.

The government also wants to make the process even faster for doctors and nurses. Under the new plan, they could be certified to work in just two business days once they are confirmed to be in good standing in their home province.

More Professions to Benefit
The expansion covers a wide range of healthcare jobs. The 16 new professions include:

• Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
  
• Chiropodists
  
• Dental Hygienists, Technologists, Dentists, and Denturists
  
• Dietitians
  
• Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists
  
• Midwives
  
• Occupational Therapists
  
• Opticians and Optometrists
  
• Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
  
• Physician Assistants
  
• Physiotherapists
  
• Psychologists
  

These additions join the list of professionals already covered by the “As of Right” regulations, such as physicians, surgeons, registered nurses, practical nurses, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, and medical laboratory technologists.

A Step Toward Stronger Healthcare Access
The full “As of Right” system extends beyond healthcare. It includes around 300 regulated occupations across 50 provincial regulatory bodies. But healthcare remains a top priority due to the growing need for medical staff across Ontario.

Ontario is working with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the College of Nurses of Ontario to make this happen smoothly. The plan includes lowering application fees, cutting paperwork, and issuing certificates much faster.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said the new approach will make a real impact on healthcare delivery. “By taking a first-in-Canada approach to streamline the labour mobility process, we are making it faster and easier for both our health system partners and clinicians to provide the world-class care Ontarians need, when and where they need it,” she said.