THE PROFESSIONAL ORDERS
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Sites of the professional orders
Québec's 347 000 professionals are supervised by 46 professional orders. Listed below you will find each regulated profession and its corresponding professional order.
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Admission to a professional order
Note : Information provided here does not replace the official text of laws, regulations and decrees.
Individuals who wish to practise a profession or use a title regulated by Québec's Professional Code must:
- obtain a permit from the order
- be entered on the roll of the order once in possession of the permit
Once these steps have been competed, the person is a member of the Order.
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Obtaining a permit
Obtaining a permit
A professional order is required by law to verify the competence of individuals applying for a permit to practise a profession. The permit therefore constitutes official recognition of its holder's competence. It is issued to candidates who fulfill the following conditions:
- possess:
- a diploma recognized as giving access to a permit
or
- a diploma or training recognized as equivalent to the recognized diploma
or
- legal authorization to practice the profession in another jurisdiction appearing on a list established by regulation; - satisfy, if applicable, additional conditions of a professional order (training period, supplemental training, or professional examination);
- possess sufficient knowledge of the French language for the practise of the profession.
Applications for a permit must be made to the relevant professional order in accordance with the order's prescribed procedure.
- possess:
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The regular and the special permit
Candidates may apply for a regular or a special permit. The conditions for the issuance of permits by professional orders are set out in laws passed by Québec's National Assembly and regulations approved by the government.Holders of a regular permit may practice all the activities associated with the profession.
The special permit is issued only in the cases and under the conditions covered by regulation. It is offered to candidates who possess a diploma or training that is not recognized as completely equivalent to the diploma giving access to a permit. Candidates' diplomas or training may, however, be sufficient for the practise of some of the activities associated with the profession. The special permit is in essence a permanent restrictive permit vesting its holder with the right to practice certain activities of the profession on a permanent basis.
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Educational requirements
More than 380 diplomas are presently designated by regulations of the Government of Québec as giving access to 51 permits issued by 46 professional orders.
Depending on the permit, a secondary school, college or university diploma in the relevant professional discipline constitutes the minimum educational requirement. The university diploma usually required is a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree, however, is required for the issuance of certain permits.
The government regulation respecting diplomas recognized as giving access to a permit can be accessed on the Web. The professional orders also inform candidates about educational institutions offering programs leading to these diplomas (Useful links).
A candidate who does not hold a valid diploma may still meet educational requirements if he or she holds a diploma or training recognized as equivalent. (Equivalence of diplomas or equivalence of training)
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Specific conditions
In addition to the required diploma or training, regulations may require that candidates successfully complete training period, supplemental training or a professional examination. Specific conditions vary depending on the profession.
They are the same, however, for all candidates, regardless of whether their diploma or qualifications were obtained in Québec or elsewhere.
The professional order will inform candidates about the specific conditions associated with obtaining the desired permit.
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Training periods
A period of professional training is generally a period of workplace-based training that allows trainees to put their studies to practical use. Depending on the profession, different conditions and terms may apply for registration in a period of professional training. For example: prior acquisition of a diploma recognized as giving access to a permit, payment of registration fees, and acquisition of a temporary permit from the order authorizing the trainee to practise certain activities of the profession in the course of the training period.
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Supplemental training
Supplemental training generally consists in one or more courses, possibly grouped together as a “professional training program” to bring candidates up to the level of knowledge and skills required for practicing the profession. Depending on the case, such training may be offered by the order or by a recognized educational institution.
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Professional examination
The professional examination is used to validate the acquisition and integration of required knowledge and skills acquired during the initial program of study, and, in some cases, during a training period or supplemental training course.
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Knowledge of the French language
Québec is a mainly French-speaking society. In this regard, the National Assembly of Québec passed the Charter of the French Language designating French as the official language. Pursuant to this law, individuals must possess an adequate knowledge of French to obtain a permit from a professional order.
Someone who has completed three years of study in French at the secondary or post-secondary level is considered to possess sufficient knowledge of the language.
If this is not the case, candidates must obtain a certificate from the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF). The certificate is issued to anyone who passes the OQLF examination, which assesses knowledge of French based on the following four criteria: written comprehension, oral comprehension, written expression, and oral expression.
A professional order may issue a temporary permit to someone who does not completely meet the requirements for knowledge of the French language, but is considered apt to practice the profession. To obtain the permit on a permanent basis, the individual must pass the OQLF examination before the temporary permit expires.
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Equivalence of diplomas and equivalence of training (recognition of credentials; prior-learning assessment and qualifications recognition)
Candidates not holding a diploma recognized as giving access to a permit may still satisfy educational requirements of a professional order if their credentials, experience or training are recognized as equivalent. This includes credentials obtained in another country.
A diploma equivalence certifies that knowledge and skills acquired in completing a course of studies leading to a diploma are equivalent to those of a person holding a diploma recognized as giving access to a permit.
A training equivalence certifies that knowledge and skills acquired in a training program or work experience are equivalent to those of a person holding a diploma recognized as giving access to a permit.
Regulations passed by the Government of Québec prescribe the equivalence standards to be applied by each order in assessing applications for recognition of credentials and prior learning. In their processes and methodology, the professional orders apply recognized principles and draw on best practices in the area of prior learning assessment (see Principles for the recognition of equivalence of credentials and training acquired outside Québec and Survey of good practices for the recognition of equivalence of credentials and training acquirend outside Québec).
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Required documents
To obtain recognition of a diploma or training equivalence, a written application must be addressed to the professional order, which will then send the candidate a copy of its equivalence regulation, the procedure for obtaining an equivalence, and, in some cases, an application form.
The candidate must transmit to the professional order all the documents needed to support an application for equivalence and pay the fees related to the examination of the application. Depending on the profession, fees may amount to roughly $100.00 and are not refundable.
The candidate may be required to submit the following documents (this is not an exhaustive list and it will vary depending on the profession):
- diplomas, educational certificates and other academic transcripts
- course marks
- description of completed courses and training periods
- proof of employment and work experience
In general, submitted documents must be original official documents or certified copies. Some of these documents may be submitted directly to the professional order by an educational institution or competent authority. Only duly completed applications that are accompanied by all the required documents will be examined.
The candidate must furnish a translation when these documents are in a language other than French or English. In some cases, a translator’s sworn statement may also be required.
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Decision and issuance of permit
The order’s decision will be sent to the candidate within a prescribed period. If an equivalence is refused, the order will inform the candidate of the courses of study recognized as giving access to a permit or training activities necessary to obtain an equivalence.
In addition, a professional order may ask a candidate to successfully complete a course, training period, or examination to obtain full equivalence recognition.
Note that recognition of an equivalence does not exempt a candidate from specific conditions for obtaining a permit, such as a training period, supplemental training or a professional examination. (Specific conditions).
A candidate who does not hold a valid diploma may still be issued a permit if he or she holds a diploma or training recognized as equivalent. Equivalence is decided by the order based on the profession's fixed training requirements. The fixed training requirements are made the subject of a regulation, and thereby receive government sanction.
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Review
Candidates can generally request a hearing for the purpose of convincing a professional order to revise its decision if they have been refused recognition of an equivalence of their credentials or training, in whole or in part.The professional order renders its decision and informs candidates in writing. The order's decision is final and not subject to review.
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Temporary restrictive permit
As part of their process with the professional order and in cases where the candidate's profile does not completely correspond to the requirements for issuance of a regular or special permit, candidates may be issued a temporary restrictive permit for the period during which they are completing their requirements for the issuance of the desired permit. -
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Entry on the roll of the order
Once the permit has been issued, holders must be entered on the roll of the order to be entitled to use a professional title, and in certain cases, practice reserved activities. To this end, individuals generally must :
- complete the prescribed form;
- pay dues and other fees;
- furnish security against professional liability, where applicable;
- satisfy the other prescribed conditions (disciplinary or criminal file, medical examination, etc.).
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Dues and other fees
Dues and other fees vary from one professional order to another. An annual assessment (dues) is payable for entry on the roll of the order.
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Admission deadlines
In addition to the order’s regular application deadlines, candidates must take into account the availability and duration of any required courses or training periods, the frequency of examinations given by the order and the Office québécois de la langue française, and deadlines associated with any other administrative procedures.
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Liability insurance
Professionals are obliged to furnish a security for their liability in case of errors or omissions committed in the practice of their profession. Check with the relevant order for the requirements, conditions and terms of the required liability insurance.
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Candidates from outside Québec
Candidates outside Québec who wish to obtain a permit but who do not hold a diploma recognized as giving access to said permit can apply to have their diploma or training recognized as equivalent. It is not necessary to be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen to obtain a permit.
It must be remembered that candidates have to satisfy legal requirements respecting sufficient knowledge of the French language. In addition, under the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, a professional order may not refuse to issue a permit on the grounds of race, colour, sex, religion, or national, cultural, or socio-economic background.
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Holders of legal authorization to practise in another jurisdiction
If candidates possess legal authorization to practice a profession issued by a competent authority in another jurisdiction, it is possible that a mutual recognition agreement has been concluded between said competent authority and the corresponding professional order in Québec. An agreement of this nature generally facilitates the issuance of a permit in Québec.
Even in the absence of a mutual recognition agreement, a professional order may, by regulation, have provided a list of legal authorizations to practise the profession in other jurisdictions that it recognizes for the issuance of a permit without requiring candidates to go through the equivalence process. This issuance approach is generally known as issuing a permit on presentation of another permit.
Candidates should check with the particular professional order about the existence of mutual recognition agreements or a list of legal authorizations to practise in another jurisdiction.
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Candidates in the process of immigrating
Candidates who are in the process of immigrating must communicate in advance with the professional order linked with their field of work. They will then be informed of admission requirements and can immediately assess what they need to do to obtain a permit and be entered on the roll of the order. In some cases immigration policy may indeed oblige candidates to follow this procedure. In these situations, an immigration counsellor will be able to provide information and advice.
Candidates should gather all the necessary documents (Required documents) before departure. Missing documents may delay if not prevent an application from being considered.
Counselling services providing information about job opportunities and job search assistance are offered free of charge by the Government of Québec. Consult your immigration counsellor abroad or the regional offices and labour market integration services (Carrefours d’intégration) of Québec’s ministry of immigration (the Ministère des Relations avec les citoyens et de l’Immigration or MRCI) located throughout Québec.
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Candidates with permanent resident status
Candidates with permanent resident status who have been in Québec for five years or less can consult the government’s Information service on regulated professions and trades (SIPMR), set up by the MICC to inform and assist people with this process.
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Information service
The SIPMR informs candidates about:
- Government of Québec regulations;
- the scope of practice of professions regulated by professional orders in Québec;
- the admissions process to professions regulated by professional orders;
- documents needed to apply to a particular professional order for recognition of an equivalence;
- fees payable for filing an application, obtaining a permit and being entered on the roll of a particular professional order.
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Assistance
The SIPR can also assist candidates in:
- determining to which professional order they should apply;
- preparing the application for recognition of equivalent diplomas or training that must be submitted to the professional order governing a profession in Québec;
- and assessing candidates’ options at every stage of the admission process.
If needed, the SIPMR will also provide referrals to other agencies.
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Useful links
LinksInformationProfessional Code
Links to laws regulating the practice of exclusive professions
Permits issued by professional orders
Conditions for obtaining a permit and being entered on the roll of an orderPrograms of study for diplomas recognized as giving access to the different permits
Québec’s Vocational and Technical Training Network (Inforoute de la formation professionnelle et technique)
Québec universities’ Web sitesHigh school and college programs in Québec
University programs in QuébecCertificates and examinations to assess knowledge of the French language
MICC - Finding out about regulated professions or trades
MICC - Obtaining a Comparative Evaluation for Studies Done Outside Québec
MICC – Information service on regulated professions and trades (SIPMR)
Candidates from outside Québec
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Select the appropriate form of recourse
The practice of 347 000 professionals in Québec is controlled by many laws and regulations, some specific to the field, others of general application. This structure prescribes obligations for the professional and the recourse available to the client.
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Professional legislation and regulations
The control measures contained in professional legislation and regulations are designed to reduce the risk of harm associated with the practice of particular professional activities. Harm can take the form of the infringement of an individual's physical or psychological integrity, property, or a violation of confidentiality or privacy. Infringement may be direct or indirect in nature.
Professional legislation and regulations impose various obligations on the professional. They are related to both the context and content of professional practice. Some obligations are expressed as prescriptions or prohibitions. Others are expressed as the ethical principles that should govern the professional's activity. Obligations may relate to the client, the public, the profession or other members of the order.
Non-compliance with professional obligations, in the form of negligence, misconduct or breach, could, for example, result in a complaint being lodged with the order's disciplinary council. The professional could then receive various types of sanction.
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Legislation of general application
Professionals, like all other citizens, are also subject to laws of general application. For example, under the Civil Code of Québec, they may be found responsible by a civil court for damages caused to a client for which they are at fault. In such cases, professionals may be ordered to compensate the client. Similarly, professionals are subject to penal and criminal legislation. If they defraud a client, for example, they may be charged and convicted of a crime. A sentence may then be pronounced against them.
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The appropriate recourse
Important decisions are made every day in Québec based on the analysis, advice and activities of professionals. Every year thousands of professional services contribute to our quality of life and personal and economic development.
Despite the competency verification and monitoring activities of the order, a client may be injured while receiving a professional service. Given the variety of structures governing professional practice one problematic situation may be viewed from a number of perspectives and be the object of several forms of recourse on the part of an injured client.For instance, professional misconduct could be considered simultaneously from the angles of professional discipline, public liability and criminal law. This would be the case, for example, of sexual misconduct.
The injured client must clearly define the complaint against the professional and decide on the form of recourse according to the objectives being sought. The following headings provide an overview.
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Dispute on an account
A client who does not understand or contests the account presented by a professional may require explanations. Despite this explanation, the client may want the account to be changed.
In a dispute with the professional, the client may request a conciliation proceeding. A conciliation proceeding is usually conducted by the syndic, who, within a prescribed time period, tries to bring the parties to an agreement on the account.
A client who disagrees with the dispute conciliation report may make a request for arbitration. An arbitration council whose members are appointed by the order's board of directors hears the request.
The arbitration council must render a decision within a prescribed period. It may maintain or reduce the disputed account, determine the amount of the refund or payment to which a party is entitled, or pronounce on the amount the client acknowledges owing.
Both the conciliation and arbitration are based on the complexity of the required services, the nature of the issues at stake and the experience of the professional.
The client addresses the order in question to exercise her/his right to recourse; the process is free of charge to the client. However, when a client loses before the arbitration council, he/she may be obliged to pay a percentage of the amount under dispute.
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Breach, misconduct and incompetence
When clients observe that a professional is not fulfilling his or her obligations, has behaved inappropriately or demonstrated a lack of competence, they may communicate with the syndic of the order to which the professional belongs.
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The syndic's inquiry
The inquiry is conducted by the order's syndic, who has 90 days in which to complete the inquiry and render a decision on the action to be taken. If the syndic is unable to meet this deadline, she or he must furnish progress reports on the inquiry every 60 days to the person who made the request. At the conclusion of an inquiry the syndic will make one of the following decisions:
- lodge a complaint with the disciplinary council;
- conclude that there are no grounds for a complaint and close the file;
- institute the conciliation of the two parties;
- transmit the file to the professional inspection committee in the case of a competency problem.
In addition to the syndic, the client may lodge a complaint directly with the disciplinary council. This is generally known as a « private complaint ».
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Review of a decision not to lodge a complaint
When, after being seized of the request to hold an inquiry on a member, a syndic decides not to lodge a complaint with the disciplinary council, the person who requested the inquiry may ask for an opinion from the review committee. The committee may give one of the following opinions:
- decide that there is no cause to lodge a complaint with the disciplinary council;
- suggest that the syndic complete the inquiry;
- suggest that the syndic refer the file to the professional inspection committee in the case of a competency problem;
- decide that there is cause to lodge a complaint and suggest the name of a person to act in the capacity of syndic.
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Hearing of the complaint and decision of the disciplinary council
When it is seized with a complaint and after the hearing, if the member is found guilty, the disciplinary council makes one or more of the following decisions:
- to reprimand the member of the order who committed the offence;
- to impose a fine;
- to temporarily or permanently strike the member from the roll;
- to restrict or suspend the right to practise;
- to recommend to the board of directors that the member be required to successfully complete a training period or refresher course;
- to oblige the member to refund a particular sum;
- to oblige the member to communicate, complete, erase, update or correct a document or piece of information.
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Review of a decision of the disciplinary council
Decisions of the disciplinary council may be appealed to the Professions Tribunal.
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Objective and exercise of recourse
The objective of the syndic's inquiry and disciplinary mechanisms is to punish violations of the Professional Code and professional regulations and prevent their recurrence.
It is important to know that the purpose of this recourse is not designed to compensate an injured client. Note, however, that in cases of sexual misconduct on the part of the professional, the imposed fine may be remitted by the order to the victim to cover the cost of therapy in connection with the misconduct.
To exercise her/his recourse, the client must contact the syndic of the order in question. This recourse is exercised without charge to the injured client, except in cases where the client lodges a "private complaint." In such cases, the client must assume the cost of preparing and presenting her or his complaint. In addition, if the professional is acquitted or the complaint is manifestly unfounded, the client may be ordered to pay costs related to the handling of the complaint (procedural fees, stenographic recording, expertise, compensation paid to witnesses, etc.).
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Embezzlement of entrusted funds
When professionals appropriate sums entrusted to them by a client for their own use, the client may contact the order concerned to recover said funds. The client may decide to report the incident to the syndic. If the order has created a compensation fund, the client may also submit a compensation request to this body.
Professional orders whose members may hold sums of money for the account of their clients (chartered administrators, lawyers, certified accountants, certified general accountants, bailiffs and notaries) determine by regulation the terms of receipt, custody and disposition of these sums of money.
Such professional orders also establish a fund to be used to refund clients, under certain conditions, for sums of money or other securities misappropriated by a professional. The maximum amount the fund may reimburse to a claimant with respect to a particular professional and the maximum amount the fund may reimburse to all claimants with respect to a particular professional is set by regulation.
The objective of this recourse is to reimburse the injured client, according to parameters set by regulation.
To exercise her or his recourse, the client must contact the order in question(Sites of the professional orders). It is available free of charge to the injured client.
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Fault, error and negligence causing damages
When a professional commits a fault, error or act of negligence in the course of her or his practice, causing damages to a client, the client may address a civil court to establish the professional's liability and obtain compensation.
This recourse is not specific to the professional system; rather, it falls under the general system of the Civil Code of Québec. It may be used simultaneously with the recourse available under the professional system. For example, in a case of a professional's non-compliance with the rules of his or her profession, the client may request an inquiry by the syndic.
To ensure the effectiveness of civil recourse, the Professional Code obliges professionals to furnish a security for their liability in case of errors or negligence committed in the practise of their profession. To this end, a regulation of the order provides the terms and levels of coverage for professional liability insurance.
The objective of this recourse is to compensate the injured client.
To exercise this recourse, the client must address the competent civil court (Small Claims Court, Court of Québec, or Superior Court, depending on the amount being claimed). It is preferable to obtain the advice of lawyer before undertaking this procedure. The client pays the fees (lawyer, procedural fees, judicial fees, expertise, witness, etc.).
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Criminal offence (theft, fraud or assault)
When clients observe a professional commit a criminal or indictable offence in the course of performing his or her professional activities, they can report the incident to the police. The professional may then become the object of a policy inquiry, and subsequently be charged and convicted. A sentence may then be pronounced against him/her.
Note that this form of recourse is not specific to the professional system, but rather comes under the general criminal and penal system. It may be undertaken at the same time as the recourse available under the professional system (for example, in cases involving fraud or assault).
The objective of this remedy is to punish violations of penal and criminal laws and prevent recidivism.
To exercise this form of recourse, the client must contact the police force having jurisdiction over the territory in question. It is available free of charge to the injured client.