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Newcomers to Alberta can learn how to get licensed to work in a regulated occupation.
Foreign Qualification Recognition (FQR) is the process of verifying that the education, skills and experience obtained in another country meet the licensure standards for safe and competent practice in Canada.
Many occupations in Alberta are regulated, which means you need to be licensed by a provincial Professional Regulatory Organization (PRO) to work in that occupation. Other common terms that mean the same thing as regulated are 'certified' and 'registered'.
PROs assess if you have the necessary qualifications to meet the licensure requirements to work in Alberta. These include:
Your PRO will inform you if there are gaps that need to be addressed, or examinations you need to take before you can be licensed.
A license is not required to work in a non-regulated occupation. Employers can hire anyone they choose in occupations that are not regulated.
The licensure process can be lengthy, complex, and may involve associated fees. It may take months or even years to be licensed to work in your occupation. The amount of time needed will depend on your personal circumstances and the individual PRO licensure process.
We strongly recommend starting the licensing process before you arrive in Alberta.
Use the alis website to find out if your occupation is regulated. This website also provides:
If your occupation is not regulated, learn more about working in Alberta. To prove you are suitable for the job in a non-regulated occupation, you will need to explain your international education to your employer. Most employers should accept your Educational Credential Assessment, but we recommend asking your employer if the assessment you have is acceptable when applying for a non-regulated job.
Your PRO is the best source of information to answer questions about applying for a license in Alberta. It is important to ask your PRO for clarification if there is anything you do not understand.
Each regulated occupation has different requirements, but most PROs require:
If you are unable to get all required documents, contact the PRO and ask what you should do.
Check if the issuing authority should send your transcripts directly to the PRO.
Ask the PRO if you need to use an approved translation service, or have original documents or translations notarized.
Check your PRO website or contact them directly to learn about costs associated with the licensure process.
A PRO will not start the licensure process until all required documents and application fees are received.
If your PRO requires you to take examinations, check the available dates to make sure you don’t miss exams scheduled shortly after you arrive in Alberta.
Your PRO will assess your documents and give you an interim assessment decision. If you do not meet the requirements, you may have to complete additional steps after you arrive in Alberta, which could include:
The interim assessment decision may include issuing of a conditional license, which will allow you to practice under supervision or with a limited scope.
If you do not meet the requirements for a license or find limited job opportunities in Alberta, you may want to consider alternative jobs which allow you to use your skills and education.
For example, you may work in a job:
Choosing an alternative job allows you to start working while gaining Canadian work experience, awaiting licensure or upgrading your skills.
To find out more about alternative job options:
Links to websites with information and resources for various occupations. PROs may also have resources in their specific occupations.
The following programs provide low-interest microloans to Alberta newcomers to help with expenses related to occupational licensing and certification, including training, examinations, textbooks and study materials, skills upgrading, and licensing fees.
These websites provide useful information for employers that want to hire and integrate newcomers into their workplaces.
The Alberta Immigrant Mentorship Innovation Grant provides funding for projects that support the development of career mentorship opportunities for immigrants.
The Government of Alberta plays a leadership and coordinating role in the FQR process and recognizes the critical role of stakeholders such as:
This collaboration helps ensure that Alberta has the right processes, information and resources to fairly and accurately recognize the knowledge, skills and experience of immigrants. A Foreign Qualification Recognition Plan for Alberta (2008) identifies collaborative and strategic actions that helps Alberta make significant progress towards improving the labour market success of immigrants.
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