This is a guide to the overall process for obtaining a license.  The description and the questions provided in each step will give you an idea of what to look for as you do your research.  At the end of each step, there is a list of questions to ask your regulatory body.  We have put this information into a checklist that you can download here.

Each regulated health care profession has its own requirements for granting a license to practice in Saskatchewan.  The following steps are a guideline only.  Contact your regulatory body for the requirements specific to your profession.

Each regulated health profession has a list of requirements for licensure and a specific application process.  Requirements include successful completion of a training program in the profession that is acceptable to the regulatory body.  There may be one or several application forms to complete and these are either available on the regulatory body's website or will be mailed to you upon your request. 

Click here to find the regulatory body for your health occupation.

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Documents:  Each regulatory body has a list of documents they require.  Check with the regulatory body first.  These may include:

• Records from your secondary school, college or university such as notarized copies of degrees, diplomas and certificates.  Program descriptions, transcripts or detailed course information can also be useful.  In most cases, these records must be sent directly from the institution to the regulatory body or the credential assessment agency.  Check with the regulatory body first.
• Documents that explain your past work experience, such as job descriptions, employment records, performance evaluations, letters from employers and work supervisors, résumés and descriptions of training that you have completed. 
• A letter from your current licensing body verifying your registration and good standing.

Translation:  If your documents are not in English, you will likely be required to provide an official translation.  You will have to pay for translation.  It must usually be done by a qualified translation service recognized by the regulatory body and the results are usually sent directly to the regulatory body.  If you are already living in Saskatchewan, you may be able to find a qualified translation service through the local immigrant serving organizations.  

Evaluation of Educational Credentials:  Some regulatory bodies evaluate your educational credentials themselves.  Others require you to have your educational credentials evaluated by one of the recognized assessment agencies in Canada and that the evaluation report be sent directly to the regulatory body.  Click here for the list of recognized credential assessment agencies.  Your regulatory body can tell you which agency you can use to evaluate your credentials. 

English Proficiency:  If your professional training was in English, you may be asked to have confirmation sent from the training institution.  This may be accepted as proof of language proficiency or you may be required to take a test.  If your professional training was not in English, you will likely be asked to show proof of language proficiency.  Getting proof, such as language test results, will cost you money.  Some regulatory bodies only accept certain types of tests and may require that the results be sent directly from the testing organization.  Check with the regulatory body before you take a language assessment test. 

It is important to send all the necessary documents in the way they are required.  If not, the regulatory body may not be able to assess your application and the process will be delayed.  If you cannot get a specific document, contact your regulatory body to see if there are any options.

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Assessment of professional skills usually involves one or more examinations.  Some exams are administered by a national organization for the profession and some by the provincial regulatory body.

Some professions require proof of a specific number of hours of practice spent in the recent past.  Others require a clinical assessment of your skills. 

Some professions ask for a completed application form so that your documents and credentials can be assessed to determine if you are eligible to write the exam.  Others require you to pass the exam first and then submit the application form.  Check with your regulatory body.

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You may be required to take additional training to be eligible to take the exam and/or to qualify for a license.  This will be based on the assessment done by your regulatory body.  Bridging or upgrading programs are available in some professions but are limited in Saskatchewan.

Licenses:  There are a number of different licenses (i.e. provisional, graduate, temporary, restricted, etc.).  These are specific to each profession.  Contact your regulatory body for details.

Fees:  There is a fee, usually annual, for licensing.  In addition, there may be a voluntary professional association you can join.  You will need to pay a separate annual fee to join.

Appeal Process:  Each regulatory body has an appeal process that may be accessed by those who are unsuccessful in obtaining a license and who disagree with the decision.

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