Professional credential recognition policies, reports and decisions

Learn more about policy and direction for the Office for International Credential Recognition, including exemptions for regulatory authorities and annual reporting requirements. 

On this page

• Policy and direction
• Exemptions
• Reporting to the superintendent
• Annual report to minister

Policy and direction

Standards and practices for fair and transparent international credential assessments are set by the Superintendent of International Credential Recognition.

Once policies and direction are established, they will be posted in this section.

• Learn how the act and regulations are applied

Exemptions

Request an exemption

Regulatory authorities can apply for an exemption from the prohibition on requiring Canadian work experience. Exemption applications can be submitted to the superintendent after January 1, 2025.

When making decisions about granting an exemption, the superintendent must consider: 

• If the Canadian work experience is relevant to assessing competence
• If there are other ways to assess competence
• If the competence can be gained outside of Canada
• The impact on the applicant versus public protection
• Any other relevant information

Exemptions are considered based on criteria set out in section 5 of the International Credentials Recognition Regulation.

Revoking or amending exemptions

The superintendent may revoke or amend an exemption if:

• New information comes up that was not available when the exemption was granted, or
• Circumstances change that affect the need for an exemption

Posting exemption decisions

Information about decisions in relation to exemption applications must be posted on both the superintendent’s website and the regulatory authority’s website.

Information about each exemption granted, amended or revoked will be published in this section.

Reporting to the superintendent

Section 20 of the International Credentials Recognition Act (ICRA) states that regulatory authorities must each submit a report to the superintendent annually. These reports will include summary data, specified by the superintendent, about their respective international credential assessment processes.

Regulatory authorities must submit their reports to the superintendent by April 1 each year.

Annual report to the Minister

Section 11 of the International Credentials Recognition Act requires the superintendent to submit an annual report on their activities under the Act.

This report must be submitted to the Minister by May 31 each year.

Annual reports from the superintendent to the Minister will be published in this section when they are available.