Ontario Labour Mobility Act
Are you an Early Childhood Educator from another Canadian province or territory and wish to join the College of Early Childhood Educators?
The purpose of the Ontario Mobility Act, 2009 (OLMA) is to eliminate or reduce measures that restrict the ability of an individual who is practicing an equivalent scope of practice for an occupation in another jurisdiction to obtain a Certificate of Registration in Ontario when the individual is already certified in the same occupation by a regulatory authority of another Canadian province or territory.
What is the OLMA?
The OLMA was established to make it easier for professionals to move across Canada. It establishes a Labour Mobility Code that governs how Ontario regulators, including the College of Early Childhood Educators (the College), support mobility for out-of-province workers who are already certified by a regulatory authority in the same occupation.
The Labour Mobility Code ensures that workers who are certified to practise by a regulatory authority in one province or territory will be able to be certified in the same occupation in Ontario without having to complete additional material training, experience, examinations or assessments; reducing barriers for those who wish to move freely throughout the country while continuing to practice their regulated profession.
Now that the OLMA is in force, it overrides provisions in any other Act, regulation or by-law that conflict with the Labour Mobility Code.
What does it mean for the College of Early Childhood Educators?
The College has an application pathway for out-of-province workers who are already certified in the same occupation by a regulatory authority of another Canadian province or territory. The College will not require these applicants to undergo additional material training, experience, examinations or assessments to meet the education requirement for registration.
These applicants must still meet all other requirements for registration, including proof of language fluency, payment of an application fee, providing evidence of good character, providing evidence from the regulatory authority of the province or territory in which the applicant is certified that the licence or certificate is in good standing, and other supporting documents or information as required by the College.
The College may refuse to register an applicant certified by a regulatory authority of another province or territory or may impose terms, conditions or limitations on the applicant’s Certificate of Registration under certain circumstances set out in the Labour Mobility Code. For example, such actions may be taken if the applicant fails to meet any of theregistration requirements, or if the College determines that it is necessary to protect the public interest due to the applicant’s conduct, complaints, criminal charges, or disciplinary proceedings – whether in or outside Canada – related to the individual’s competency, conduct, or character.
What does it mean for applicants to the College who are certified by a regulatory authority of another province or territory?
If you are an out-of-province worker who holds a valid licence or certificate granted by a regulatory authority of another Canadian province or territory that is considered a match to the Certificate of Registration issued by the College, you are able to apply for registration with the College and will not be required to complete additional material training, experience, examinations or assessments. All other standard requirements of registration still apply.
The following list sets out the licences or certificates, granted by a regulatory authority of the provinces or territories indicated below, which are considered a match to the Certificate of Registration issued by the College:
- Alberta: Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Supervisor)
- British Columbia: Early Childhood Educator – Infant Toddler Educator &/or Special Needs Educator
- Saskatchewan: Early Childhood Educator Level III (under review)
- Manitoba: Early Childhood Educator Level II or III
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Child Care Services Levels 2, 3, 4
- Nova Scotia: Level 2 Classification or Level 3 Classification
- Prince Edward Island: Early Childhood Educator (under review)
- Yukon Territory: Early Childhood Educator Level 3
What does it mean for members of the College of Early Childhood Educators?
If you are already registered as a member of the College, your status and process for renewing your membership are not affected by the OLMA.
The Certificate of Registration issued to you by the College will make it easier for you to be certified in another Canadian province or territory without having to complete additional material training, experience, examinations or assessments. This would make it easier for you to relocate to another province or territory in Canada.
Applying to the College
If you hold a licence or certificate granted by a regulatory authority of one of the provinces or territories indicated below, youmay apply under the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) pathway: :
- Alberta: Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Supervisor)
- British Columbia: Infant Toddler Educator or Special Needs Educator
- Saskatchewan: Early Childhood Educator Level III (under review)
- Manitoba: Early Childhood Educator Level II or III
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Child Care Services Levels 2, 3, 4
- Nova Scotia: Level 2 Classification or Level 3 Classification
- Prince Edward Island: Early Childhood Educator (under review)
- Yukon Territory: Child Care Worker Level III
Your licence or certificate must be valid, you must meet all other registration requirements, including proof of language fluency, payment of the application fee, evidence of good character, confirmation from the regulatory authority of the province or territory where you are certified that your licence or certificate is in good standing, and any other supporting documents or information requested by the College.
Requesting the “As of Right” Process
All applicants interested in applying under the “As of Right” route are encouraged to read the information below to understand the requirements and eligibility.
What is Ontario’s “As of Right” legislation?
“As of Right” legislation allows those who are considered qualified Early Childhood Educators in another province or territory in Canada, and hold a license in that province that is recognized by the College for the purposes of applications pursuant to inter-provincial labour mobility, to work in Ontario for up to six (6) months while completing their registration with the College of Early Childhood Educators to become Registered Early Childhood Educators. The “As of Right” route is meant to facilitate mobility for qualified professionals who obtained their qualifications and are practicing in one province or territory to move to another province or territory and begin practicing without undue delay. As of January 1, 2026, this route is now available to eligible Early Childhood Educators.
Who is eligible to apply in Ontario under the “As of Right” route?
To be eligible for the “As of Right” route, applicants must:
- Hold the equivalent of a Certificate of Registration issued by the College of Early Childhood Educators from a recognized regulatory authority of another Canadian province or territory that is currently in good standing;
- Not have been denied registration or a license by any provincial or territorial authority to practice as an Early Childhood Educator within two years prior to applying for registration in Ontario;
- Not have been found guilty in any jurisdiction of professional misconduct, incompetence, or being unfit to practice the profession;
- Not currently be the subject of any investigation or proceeding in any jurisdiction about professional misconduct, incompetence, or your ability to safely practice the profession;
- Not have been found guilty in any jurisdiction of any criminal or other offence;
- Meet the College’s language fluency requirements in English or French;
- Possess the knowledge needed to practice the regulated profession of Early Childhood Education in Ontario;
- Submit an Attestation to the College confirming that they meet the requirements for the “As of Right” route.
Applicants from which provinces and territories are eligible to apply under “As of Right”?
Applicants need to possess the following qualifications from these provinces and territories, recognized under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), which replaced the former Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), to be eligible to apply under “As of Right” in Ontario:
- Alberta: Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Supervisor)
- British Columbia: Early Childhood Educator – Infant Toddler Educator &/or Special Needs Educator
- Saskatchewan: Early Childhood Educator Level III
- Manitoba: Early Childhood Educator Level II or III
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Child Care Services Levels 2, 3, 4
- Nova Scotia: Level 2 Classification or Level 3 Classification
- Prince Edward Island: Early Childhood Educator
- Yukon Territory: Early Childhood Educator Level 3
Click here for more information about the required qualifications issued by other provinces and territories.
How long are applicants eligible to practise under “As of Right”?
Eligible “As of Right” applicants will have a maximum of six (6) months from when the College notifies them that their application to practise in Ontario under “As of Right” has been accepted. Applicants are responsible for submitting all outstanding requirements for a Certificate of Registration at least ten business days prior to the end of the 6-month period. There are no extensions permitted to the 6-month period.
Where can I practise in accordance with “As of Right” rules?
Effective January 1, 2026, there are no practice setting restrictions for eligible applicants under the “As of Right” rules.
What happens to my status with the College after six (6) months?
Under the regulations, applicants have six (6) months to submit all required documentation to the College in order to meet the registration requirements for becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator. If the applicant does not provide the necessary documents within that 6-month period, or if the documents do not demonstrate that they meet all registration requirements, the College will not grant a certificate of registration. In that case, the applicant’s “As of Right” status will end, and they will no longer be permitted to practise as a qualified Early Childhood Educator in Ontario.
Can I find the profile of an individual practising under the “As of Right” program on the College’s public register?
These individuals will have profiles on the College’s public register.
The information which is available includes:
- The name of the individual
- Registration number
- Registration status
- Date on which Certificate of Registration was issued
- A notation in the Special Notice section regarding their “As of Right” status and expiration date
Other information is available on the public register in accordance with the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007 and the College’s by-laws, including a notation of a suspension, cancellation or revocation of a member’s Certificate of Registration or “As of Right” status.
Personal information such as date of birth, home or business address, or other contact information is not available on the public register.
If an employer or member of the public has concerns about an individual practising under the “As of Right” program, can they submit a complaint to the College?
The College can provide regulatory oversight, including complaint investigation, of “As of Right” individuals. If you have a concern about the conduct or actions of an “As of Right” individual and you wish to file a complaint, please complete and submit a complaint through our online portal found here.
To learn more about the complaints process, please contact the Professional Regulation department by e-mail at proreg@college-ece.ca or by phone at 416-961-8558 or 1 888-961-8558 and ask to speak with an Intake Coordinator.
How to request the “As of Right” process to be deemed certified
To request the “As of Right” process, please follow these steps:
Step 1: Submit your application
- Create an account in My College Account.
- Complete and submit your application form.
- Pay the required fees.
Step 2: Complete the “As of Right” Request Form
- Go to the College’s Contact Us Form.
- From the drop-down menu, select “Request AOR Process”.
- Fill in all required sections of the form.
- Upload a copy of your certificate.
- Carefully read all information, attestations, and declarations before submitting.
- Submit your request.
Please note: Providing false or misleading information is an offence under the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007 and the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009 and can result in fines of up to $50,000 and your application being refused.
Step 3: Wait for confirmation
- Once you’ve submitted everything, a College staff member will review your request.
- We’ll contact you if we need any additional information.