Many Canadians work in regulated occupations. Regulated occupations include professions and trades. An occupation is regulated in order to protect the health and safety of the public. Examples include nurses, engineers, electricians, and teachers.
In Manitoba, as in all provinces of Canada, there are legislated regulatory bodies responsible for establishing the entry requirements for the occupations under their mandate, for recognizing education, training, and experience, and for issuing licences required to work.
For example, to work as a nurse, your education and experience must first be evaluated by one of the professional regulatory bodies in Manitoba before you are licensed (registered) to work as a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or registered psychiatric nurse (RPN).
The qualification recognition (QR) process varies for each profession and trade. While some steps in the QR process can be completed outside of Manitoba/Canada, the process is typically completed in Canada. When you apply to a regulatory body you will be required to meet certain criteria. Examples include:
- provide documentation of professional qualifications and work history
- provide language proficiency test results (which may differ from those required for immigration)
- complete additional studies if regulator identifies gaps in education / training
- perform a supervised internship / work experience / clinical
- write a series of examinations and/ or a final entry-to-practice examination
The QR process leading to professional registration (licensure or certification) can be very complex. It requires a commitment of time, effort, and money. Being well informed will help you to plan your career path in Manitoba.
- Read the Question & Answer Guide to Regulated Professions and Trades to gain a better understanding of qualification recognition in Manitoba.
- Research your profession or trade (listed below) through the links and Fact Sheets provided.
- If your occupation is not listed below, refer to the Question & Answer Guide to find: Which professions and trades are regulated in Manitoba? Who regulates each profession and trade?
- Review information on Financial Supports to learn about the types of financial supports which may be available to you as you pursue your profession, trade, or related occupation in Manitoba.
- After you arrive in Manitoba, register at Manitoba Start to gain the support of career counsellors who are knowledgeable in QR processes and career planning.
Regulated Professions – Regulatory Bodies – Fact Sheets
While there are many regulated professions in Canada, the most common professions in Manitoba are listed below.
Each profession links to the professional regulatory body (regulator) responsible for regulating the profession in Manitoba.
For some professions, a Fact Sheet has been developed by the Province of Manitoba, Immigration and Economic Opportunities Division. Each Fact Sheet directs users to information, tools, and resources to help better understand the professional registration process in Manitoba.
Note: The Fact Sheets serve as a guide and will be updated periodically. When researching information on professional registration policies and procedures, always refer to the regulator to ensure accurate, up-to-date information.
- Accountant – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Agrologist – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Architect – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Audiologist and speech-language pathologist
- Child care worker – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Dental hygienist
- Dentist – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Dietitian – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Engineer – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Engineering / applied science technician and technologist – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Geoscientist – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Land surveyor
- Lawyer – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Medical laboratory technologist – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Occupational therapist
- Optometrist – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Physiotherapist – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Respiratory therapist
- Social worker– Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Teacher (K-12) – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
- Veterinarian – Fact Sheet (Updated December 2019)
To learn about professional career opportunities and qualification recognition, including the licensing steps in Manitoba, visit Job Bank > Explore Careers > Education & Job Requirements: Manitoba tab: Information for Newcomers, being sure to select Manitoba as your location.
There are over 55 designated trades in Manitoba (see the designated trades fact sheet for more information). While trades are regulated occupations, only nine (9) trades have compulsory certification:
- Construction Electrician
- Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator
- Industrial Electrician
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Sprinkler Fitter
However, to be a journeyperson in any of the 55+ designated trades in Manitoba, individuals must be a certified journeyperson. Employers generally demand certified tradespersons. See the designated trades fact sheet for more information.
To apply to immigrate to Manitoba, Canada, you do not require a certificate of qualification in your trade; however, you must satisfactorily demonstrate that your education/training and work experience make you qualified to work in your trade in Manitoba.
There are two paths to trades certification: through supervised training called apprenticeship; and, for experienced tradespeople, by challenging the trades qualification exam.
Foreign nationals who write and pass the qualification exam in their trade will be issued a certificate of qualification by the Manitoba government trades office, Apprenticeship Manitoba. To write the exam and be issued a certificate of qualification you require a Manitoba address.
This is the three-step procedure for applying for a Certificate of Qualification in your trade:
- Determine if you have the work experience, training, knowledge and skills required to be eligible to write the qualification exam by reviewing the work experience form for your trade at Apprenticeship Manitoba.
- Submit to Apprenticeship Manitoba your trades qualification application (along with your completed work experience form, employer letter(s) and copies of previous trades certification) only if you meet all requirements to write the qualification exam in your trade.
- Wait for a reply from Apprenticeship Manitoba (Application review takes about six weeks.) Approval of your application means you are eligible to write the exam.
For non-regulated occupations, there are no set requirements and there is no legal requirement to obtain a licence. The employer will set the required standards.