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Province Making it Easier for American Doctors and Nurses to Work in Ontario

June 5, 2025

Government cutting red tape to strengthen Ontario’s health-care workforce

June 05, 2025

Health

Table of Contents

  1. Content
  2. Quick Facts
  3. Quotes
  4. Additional Resources
  5. Related Topics

TORONTO — The Ontario government is taking significant steps to strengthen its health-care workforce by making it easier for U.S.-licensed nurses and board-certified physicians to move to and practise in Ontario. The change is part of the government’s plan to protect and strengthen Ontario’s health-care system by increasing the number of health-care professionals working in the province.

“By cutting the red tape that is delaying highly trained U.S.-licensed doctors and nurses from being able to live and work in Ontario, we are making bold strides to ensure Ontario patients receive timely and accessible care,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “These changes build on our government’s historic action to reduce labour mobility barriers for health-care professionals within Canada, and will now make it faster and easier for American physicians and nurses to care for Ontario patients.”

The change will enable qualified U.S.-licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and registered practical nurses to begin working in Ontario health settings without prior registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario or the College of Nurses of Ontario. These professionals will be able to work for up to six months while seeking registration in Ontario, removing a significant barrier to attracting American health-care workers.

Additionally, the government is removing restrictions under “As of Right” that limit four professions to practising in public hospitals and long-term care homes. This change applies to physicians and nurses licensed in the U.S., as well as respiratory therapists and medical laboratory technologists who will now be able to practise in a broader range of health settings, including primary care, home and community care and community laboratories.

Ontario continues to support locally trained health-care workers, expanding the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, which provides financial assistance to postsecondary students who commit to working in underserved communities after graduation. The province is also expanding access to care by opening more medical schools, increasing nursing program capacity, and broadening the scope of practice for nurses, enabling nurses to play a greater role in patient care.

Quick Facts

  • To qualify, health professionals must be licensed in their home jurisdiction with no history of misconduct or incompetence, as well as comply with other public protection requirements.
  • Ontario’s “As of Right” exemption first came into effect on July 24, 2023, and expedited the process for physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and medical laboratory technologists registered in other provinces and territories to immediately start working and caring for Ontarians while seeking registration to practise in Ontario.
  • Allowing U.S.-licensed physicians and nurses to work in Ontario supports the government’s work under the Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act 2025 to remove labour mobility barriers, reduce administrative burdens and simplify the movement of certified workers across Canada.
  • Physicians and nurses from the U.S. will need to go through the standard Canadian immigration/permanent residency/work permit process administered by the federal government.
  • Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government continues to take bold and decisive action to grow the province’s highly skilled health-care workforce and ensure people and their families have access to high-quality care closer to home for generations to come.

Quotes

“Our government is fixing long-term care by training, hiring and retaining thousands of health-care workers to provide high-quality care for residents. We welcome all U.S.-licensed health professionals looking for opportunities to practice and accelerate their careers in Ontario’s long-term care homes.”

– Paul Calandra
Acting Minister of Long-Term Care

“Now more than ever, Ontario needs a world-class, highly skilled workforce to keep our province competitive. That’s why our government is taking decisive action to break down barriers, ensuring trained workers can get to work faster and keep Ontario strong, healthy and productive.”

– David Piccini
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

“Our government is cutting red tape to deliver real results for the people of Ontario. By streamlining the process for U.S.-licensed doctors and nurses to work in Ontario, we’re removing unnecessary barriers and accelerating access to care. This is a great example of how reducing red tape can strengthen our health-care system, support frontline workers, and ensure patients get the timely, high-quality care they deserve.”

– Andrea Khanjin
Minister of Red Tape Reduction

“The Ontario Medical Association supports the government’s efforts to reduce barriers to practice and enhance mobility for qualified health professionals, including those trained in the U.S. These changes help strengthen Ontario’s health workforce and improve timely access to care. Doctors remain committed to working with the Ministry to ensure that these changes deliver sustainable, high-quality care for Ontarians.”

– Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman
President, Ontario Medical Association

“Ontario’s plan to connect everyone with a family doctor is ambitious and essential—and growing the family medicine workforce is key to making it a reality. Reducing barriers for qualified physicians to practise in Ontario is a positive and timely step that can help improve access to care. As we work to attract new family physicians, we also need to continue moving forward with support for family physicians already providing high-quality care across the province. Together, these efforts will help strengthen the foundation of our health system for the long term.”

– Dr. Eric Wong
President-Elect, Ontario College of Family Physicians

“NPAO applauds the Ontario government for expediting U.S.-licensed Nurse Practitioners’ (NPs) ability to practice in Ontario. Removing barriers and attracting more licensed NPs to Ontario is a significant step in addressing the gaps in primary and specialty care across the system. NPAO looks forward to continuing our partnership with the Government of Ontario and the Ministry of Health to integrate and empower NPs to best provide high-quality, compassionate, and timely care for all Ontarians.”

– Dr. NP Michelle Acorn
CEO, NPAO

“RNAO welcomes Ontario’s action to remove unnecessary barriers for U.S.-licensed physicians and nurses to begin practising in our province – while maintaining a strong commitment to patient safety and registration standards, including the requirement for a BScN for registered nurses and an MScN for nurse practitioners. Ontarians deserve timely and high-quality care, and this policy change is a timely step toward strengthening nurse retention and recruitment efforts. Attracting new nurses – whether from across the border or within Ontario – must be matched by robust strategies to retain the nurses we already have. That means ensuring safe staffing, competitive compensation across all sectors, and healthy work environments. RNAO is ready and eager to collaborate with the Ontario government and other partners to support both retention and recruitment, and to ensure the best possible care for Ontarians.”

– Dr. Doris Grinspun, RN, PhD, O.ONT
CEO, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO)

“WeRPN recognizes the Ontario government’s efforts to streamline the process for U.S.-licensed nurses and physicians to practice in Ontario. Any measure that helps to more quickly integrate qualified nurses into the workforce is a positive step towards addressing health-care needs. This is a crucial step in cementing a strong talent pipeline as pressure on our health-care system, bolstering our nursing workforce, and ensuring Ontarians have access to the care they need, when they need it. By reducing barriers and expanding practice settings, we are not only attracting vital talent but also recognizing the diverse skills and expertise that these professionals bring to our health-care system.”

– Dianne Martin
CEO, WeRPN

Additional Resources