Licensing: Respiratory Therapists – Canada

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Canadian Respiratory Therapists

The Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) administers a national registry exam for respiratory therapists. While passing the CSRT exam is not required for some provinces, it is recommended, because several of these provinces are in the process of creating regulatory bodies, and may soon require it in order to be eligible to practice. As well, CSRT certification is often requested as a qualification by an employer. Applicants are encouraged to contact the licensing body in the province in which they wish to work to confirm the specific requirements for that province.

Currently, only Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec have regulatory bodies, and require a license to practice. Requirements to use the title of Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist, and to work in the field of respiratory therapy differ across the country (even in those locations without a regulatory body). Due to the complexity, always be sure to check with the CSRT and the licensing body or association in the province in which you want to work.

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Respiratory Therapists from the US or Mexico

The Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) administers a national registry exam for respiratory therapists. While passing the CSRT exam is not required for some provinces, it is recommended, because several of these provinces are in the process of creating regulatory bodies, and may soon require it in order to be eligible to practice. As well, CSRT certification is often requested as a qualification by an employer.

Currently, only Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec have regulatory bodies, and require a license to practice. Requirements to use the title of Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist, and to work in the field of respiratory therapy differ across the country (even in those locations without a regulatory body). Due to the complexity, always be sure to check with the CSRT and the licensing body or association in the province in which you want to work.

Visa information: Respiratory therapists are NOT covered under NAFTA. You are required to have a Canadian Employment Authorization before being allowed employment in Canada. Sponsorship is often required. Note that Human Resources and Social Development Canada/Service Canada (HRSDC/SC) maintain regional lists of occupations under pressure. What this means is that if an occupation is on the list for the region, employers in the region will not be required to undertake lengthy or comprehensive advertising efforts before being eligible to apply to hire a qualified foreign worker, which saves them time. However, the employer will still have to apply for a Labour Market Opinion (also known as an employment confirmation) from SC, which can take weeks. So in a case in which a few provinces have a certain career listed as an "occupation under pressure," but the others do not, a person would more likely find success in finding a job if s/he were to apply for licensure in one of the provinces in which their career is an "occupation under pressure." As of when this was last updated (see date below the box), respiratory therapists are included on the list for Quebec (fluency in French would be required).

Please contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate to inquire about obtaining an Employment Authorization.

You can also find more information at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

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Respiratory Therapists from Outside North America

The Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) administers a national registry exam for respiratory therapists. While passing the CSRT exam is not required for some provinces, it is recommended, because several of these provinces are in the process of creating regulatory bodies, and may soon require it in order to be eligible to practice. As well, CSRT certification is often requested as a qualification by an employer.

Currently, only Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec have regulatory bodies, and require a license to practice. Requirements to use the title of Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist, and to work in the field of respiratory therapy differ across the country (even in those locations without a regulatory body). Due to the complexity, always be sure to check with the CSRT and the licensing body or association in the province in which you want to work.

Visa information: You are required to have a Canadian Employment Authorization before being allowed employment in Canada. Sponsorship is often required. Note that Human Resources and Social Development Canada/Service Canada (HRSDC/SC) maintain regional lists of occupations under pressure. What this means is that if an occupation is on the list for the region, employers in the region will not be required to undertake lengthy or comprehensive advertising efforts before being eligible to apply to hire a qualified foreign worker, which saves them time. However, the employer will still have to apply for a Labour Market Opinion (also known as an employment confirmation) from SC, which can take weeks. So in a case in which a few provinces have a certain career listed as an "occupation under pressure," but the others do not, a person would more likely find success in finding a job if s/he were to apply for licensure in one of the provinces in which their career is an "occupation under pressure." As of when this was last updated (see date below the box), respiratory therapists are included on the list for Quebec (fluency in French would be required).

Please contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate to inquire about obtaining an Employment Authorization.

You can also find more information at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

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