Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (NOC 3125)

Education, training & qualifications

Doctors of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.)

• A four-year doctoral degree program in podiatric medicine available in the United States and in Quebec, normally following completion of a bachelor's degree program, is required.
• A medical residency is required in Alberta and British Columbia.
• A doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) degree is required to practise podiatry in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

Chiropodists and podiatrists

• A three-year diploma program in chiropody (DCh) obtained in Canada
  or
  A first-degree program in podiatric medicine (D.Pod.M.) obtained abroad (United Kingdom) is usually required.
• A licence is required in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

Naturopaths

• A university degree in pre-medical science is required.
• Completion of a university program in naturopathic medicine, obtained abroad
  or
  A four-year program in naturopathic medicine from a private institute is required.
• A licence is required in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

Orthoptists

• A bachelor's degree and completion of a two-year accredited training program in orthoptics are required.
• Certification with the Canadian Orthoptic Council is required.
• Continuing education is required for recertification with the Canadian Orthoptic Council.

Osteopaths

• A bachelor's degree is required for admission to a doctor of osteopathy program.
• A four-year program in osteopathic medicine leading to a doctor of osteopathy degree
  and A one-year medical residency are required. These qualifications are usually obtained in the United States.
• A licence is required in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

Professionals who are certified for an occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact the British Columbia Podiatric Medical Association and/or the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of B.C. occupational regulators.

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.