Working

If your profession is regulated in Saskatchewan, then you will require a licence to practise before you can work.  Before granting you a licence, the regulatory body must assess your qualifications.  In most cases, you will have to write one or more exams before you can work in Saskatchewan.  You may also be required to take some additional education. 

Descriptions of the regulated health professions in Saskatchewan and the requirements for licensing are available here.

The first step is to contact your regulatory body in Saskatchewan, usually through its website, and ask what you need to do.  The regulatory body will provide you with a list of requirements and costs.  The requirements differ with each profession. 

The following chart provides you with a general idea of the types of activities that are normally part of getting a licence.  In some professions the steps may occur in a different order.  Descriptions of the regulated health professions in Saskatchewan and the requirements for licensing are available here.

There is also a Guide to help you as you do your research.

The licensing process takes time and it will cost you money.  Each profession is different.  Ask your regulatory body for specific details on your profession.  It is important to understand how the licensing process works for your profession so that you can make good choices about applying. 

You will need to have savings in place to care for you and your family while you wait.  Other immigrants have found they needed enough money to live for 6-18 months.  You may want to consider other options, such as finding temporary employment in another occupation while you go through the licensing process.  (Read more about Patricia's experience.)

It can take several years to get a licence to practise in your health care profession.  Some internationally educated professionals are never able to get a licence.  Your English language skills, where you obtained your training, the number of years since you have worked in your occupation and your Canadian work experience may all impact whether you obtain a licence in Saskatchewan.

If you are unable to get a licence to practise your profession, or if you decide that pursuing a licence is not practical at this time, there are other options available for you to work in health care.  Visit the Working in Health Care section to learn more.

First, find out if your health occupation is regulated in Saskatchewan.  If it is regulated you can learn about the requirements for obtaining a licence by reading the information provided for your occupation.

Then contact your regulatory body.  Most regulatory bodies have a website where you can start your research.  We have developed a guide that you can use to help you do your research and write down the information that you learn. 

The regulatory body for your profession can give you specific and valuable information on what you can do before you arrive.  For example, you may be able to arrange to have your educational credentials evaluated.  In some cases, you can write qualifying exams outside Canada.

Before you move, if possible, make all the necessary arrangements for the documents you will need.