If your job is a regulated profession, such as nursing, engineering or accounting, before you are allowed to work you must apply to the regulatory body. The regulatory body will assess your qualifications and, if you qualify, will license, register, or certify you to practise your profession in Manitoba.
Manitoba has about 31 self-regulated professions. Each regulated profession has its own organization (called an association, college, society or institute) that sets standards, assesses qualifications and grants a licence to practice. Teachers are regulated by the government. (For information on trades regulation see the page Work in your trade.)
The licensing process will cost you time and money. Your profession's regulatory body may require you to take examinations, improve your English, upgrade your education and do work assignments.
In Manitoba, it is against the law to work in certain professions if you are not registered with the regulatory body. For example, you cannot practise medicine without a licence.
In other professions you can work in that field but cannot use the professional title. For example, you can do accounting or bookkeeping but you must be registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba in order to use the title of chartered accountant.
Other professions, such as massage therapy, are not regulated by law but have voluntary associations. Being a member is helpful in finding employment.
Even if yours is a profession with mandatory licensing you may still be able to do related work. For example, you could work as a draftsman in an engineering office while you are in the process of getting your engineering licence.
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