Applicants Educated Outside Canada

To practice respiratory therapy in Ontario, you must hold a certificate of registration (license) as a Respiratory Therapist with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO). 

If you have not graduated from an approved Canadian program you will likely not be immediately eligible for registration with the CRTO. However, the following options are available:

  • Pathway 1: This pathway will assist a Respiratory Therapist educated outside of Canada whose respiratory therapy program is substantially equivalent and who is lacking only some particular competencies, to complete specific education. On completion of the process the applicant will be considered as meeting the CRTO’s educational requirement for registration. Please note that this pathway applies only to graduates of respiratory therapy programs.

  • Pathway 2: The supported integration model will assist eligible Internationally Educated Respiratory Therapists and/or other Internationally Educated Health Care Professionals, in gaining advanced standing for previous study and integrating into existing full-time respiratory therapy diploma programs. This model will enable learners to access Ontario financial aid support. Two community college RT programs have partnered with the CRTO; Conestoga College in Kitchener and Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. These educational partners will set aside dedicated spaces for eligible candidates. On completion of the program the IERT/IEHP will be a graduate of an approved Canadian RT program and therefore will meet the CRTO’s educational requirement for registration.

  • Pathway 3: Internationally Educated Respiratory Therapists and/or other Internationally Educated Health Care Professionals who have not completed a substantially equivalent respiratory therapy program and who are not eligible for advanced standing will be recommended to apply for regular entry into any of the six full-time respiratory therapy programs in Ontario. If accepted, the student will be eligible for Ontario financial aid and on completion of the program the applicant will be considered as meeting the CRTO’s educational requirement for registration.

In order for the CRTO to determine which Pathway applies to you, you must go through the CRTO’s Pre-Registration process. To begin, complete the Pre-Registration form, and submit this form, and required documentation, to the CRTO office. You may also be required to undergo a Pre-Registration Competency Review and, if you have completed a program in Respiratory Therapy, have the program reviewed for equivalency.

Applicants who have obtained their education in respiratory therapy (or a related field) outside of Canada must have their academic qualifications verified by World Education Services Canada (WES). WES will attest to the authenticity of the documents reviewed and prepare a course-by-course evaluation report as required by the CRTO. WES will send the evaluation report to the College and the applicant. The applicant is responsible for the cost of the report and will be charged directly by WES for its services. To have your academic qualifications attested by WES, please contact WES at www.wes.org/ca.
 

For information on the application process, documentation required and the registration requirements please review the Pre-Registration Guide. 

 

You may not work as a Respiratory Therapist or in any way hold yourself out as a person qualified to practice respiratory therapy in the province of Ontario until after your application for registration has been approved by the CRTO (i.e., you have been issued a certificate of registration).

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the 
Manager of Registration.

 

For information on immigrating to Canada or obtaining a work permit, visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada. For more information on living and working in Ontario, visit Ontario Immigration and HealthForceOntario.


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