Glossary of Licensing Terms
academic credentials
Documents that prove a person’s achievements at college or university
(e.g. transcripts or diplomas) or competence/skills in a particular field (e.g.
certificates)
accreditation n.
The process of evaluating an educational institution or a program of study or
training to determine that it has met certain standards. An accreditation evaluation
may include examination of the contents of an educational program, the time
spent on various topics, the teaching methods used, the qualifications of the
teaching staff and the facilities available.
appeal n.
The right of an unsuccessful applicant to challenge a decision of an occupational
regulatory body in the licensing/certification process
apprentice n.
A person who is learning a trade by being employed in it for an agreed period,
usually at lower wages than is normal for that trade
apprenticeship n.
A specified term of mostly on-the-job training during which the apprentice works
under the supervision of a qualified tradesperson, and learns the knowledge,
skills, tools and materials of the trade. Usually includes some classroom training
provided by a community college or union. The requirements that apprentices
must meet are set out in the Apprenticeship and Certification Act, 1998.
assess vb.
To judge the quality or worth of (e.g. a person’s qualifications, credentials)
assessment n.
The process of reviewing and evaluating academic credentials and other forms
of qualification to determine whether an applicant has met entry requirements
for educational or occupational purposes. The assessment measures an applicant
against a pre-determined educational or occupational standard.
certificate n.
An official document that states that a certain fact or facts are true
certificate of qualification
Issued to persons who are certified as meeting the standards set by the industry
for a particular trade. To work in a “compulsory trade” in Ontario,
a Certificate of Qualification is necessary. A person does not need a Certificate
of Qualification to work in a voluntary trade, though unions and employers may
require individuals to have certificates as a condition of employment. Sometimes
called a “licence.”
certify vb
Declare by certificate that a person is qualified or competent (e.g. a certified
accountant)
college n.
A group of people with a common profession, purpose, duties or rights, e.g.
the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons
community college
A post-secondary educational institution that offers training, especially in
specific employment fields; graduates earn certificates or diplomas
competence/competency n.
Ability or skill; an area in which a person is competent
competent adj.
Adequately qualified or capable
credential n.
Documented evidence of competency (e.g. certificate, diploma or licence) based
on completion of a recognized program of study or training or apprenticeship
degree n.
An academic rank (e.g. Bachelor, Master, Ph.D) granted by a university after
examination or after completion of a program of study
diploma n.
A certificate awarded for passing an examination, completing a course of study,
etc.
equivalency n.
Recognition that a program or course or certificate from one place of learning
or institution is the same in content as a program or course or certificate
from another place of learning or institution. The granting of equivalency usually
means that the holder of the degree, diploma or certificate from outside Ontario
is granted the same right of access to higher education or occupational certification
as people educated or trained in Ontario.
evaluate vb.
Calculate or judge the value of something (e.g. a university course or degree)
faculty n.
A group of university departments concerned with a major division of knowledge
(e.g. the faculty of arts)
independent accreditation service
A service that assesses credentials to determine whether they are likely to
be considered equivalent to Canadian standards. The results are normally non-binding;
that is, they do not take the place of accreditation by the regulatory body
itself.
journeyperson n.
A person who has completed an apprenticeship program and passed the exam to
obtain a Certificate of Qualification.
licence n.
A permit or formal document from an authority that allows the holder to do something
(e.g. repair a motor vehicle)
mandatory n.
Compulsory, put into force by the law e.g. If someone wants to work as an automotive
service technician, it is mandatory that that s/he be certified.
occupational regulatory body (ORB)
An organization that, by law, has the exclusive right to issue licences or certificates
of registration for entry into a profession or trade. Occupational regulatory
bodies set entry and training requirements and occupational standards for their
profession, assess applicants’ qualifications and credentials, register
qualified applicants, and discipline members. In the regulated health professions,
these bodies are often called “Regulatory Colleges,” e.g. the Ontario
College of Nurses.
prior learning assessment (PLA)
The process of identifying and measuring skills and knowledge for the purpose
of recognizing and giving credit for learning that has been acquired through
formal or informal education or training, work or other life experience. PLA
allows the evaluation of past learning against established academic or occupational
standards so that recognition may be granted by an academic institution, occupational
regulatory body, or employer.
proficiency n.
Skill, talent, expertise, capability, ability, competence
protected title
Sometimes called a “Reserved Title.” An occupational title that
may, by law, be used only by someone who is registered with the appropriate
occupational regulatory body. Those who are not registered with the ORB may
still practise the occupation, but may not use the protected title to describe
themselves.
registration n.
A formal recognition that a person has attained a standard of proficiency in
the skills and knowledge required to practise in a profession or trade. Often
known as “certification” or “licensing”; in Ontario,
registration is the term used by the regulated health professions. People who
are registered are granted a Certificate of Registration.
regulate vb.
Control by law; enforce legal restrictions
regulated professions
Regulated professions are those for which the province has established self-governing
bodies. The purpose of these self-governing bodies, also known as occupational
regulatory bodies (ORBs), is to protect the public by setting standards of practice
and competence. Regulated professions include occupations such as accountancy,
engineering, law, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy and teaching.
They are highly skilled occupations, requiring post-secondary education, additional
training and, usually, a licence to practise.
In some professions, a person may not practise, or even use the title of, the profession if s/he is not registered with the regulatory body.
In other professions, people may do the work of the profession but may not use the professional title unless they have registered with the regulatory body.
regulated trades
Trades that are regulated under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act. All
the regulated trades use apprenticeship as the primary training method. There
are 60 regulated trades in Ontario. Some trades are compulsory, i.e. certification
is mandatory. Others are voluntary, i.e. a certificate is not required to work
in the field, although some unions and employers may require a certificate as
a condition of employment.
standard n.
A level or degree of quality that is considered proper or acceptable
transcript n.
An official record of a student’s grades
university n.
An educational institution that provides instruction in many branches of advanced
learning and grants degrees in various faculties
