How to Check a Health Provider Is Registered in Ontario

Before you book with a new health professional, take two minutes to check that they are registered. It is free, it is public, and it protects you.

Why registration matters

In Ontario, most health professions are regulated by a college. To use certain titles and practise, a person must be registered. The college sets standards, handles complaints and can limit or remove someone’s right to practise. Registration tells you the person has met the minimum requirements and is accountable to a regulator.

It does not tell you whether you will like them or whether they are the right fit, but it is the baseline.

The steps

1. Find the right college. Each profession has its own. See the list below.
2. Open the public register. Every college has a “Find a member” or “Public register” search.
3. Search by name. Try the full name as it appears on the clinic’s site, and a variation if there are no results.
4. Read the record. Look for current registration status, the type of registration, the member’s practice location and any notes about conditions, restrictions or discipline.
5. Match the details. Confirm that the person at the clinic is the one on the register.

Common colleges

• Physiotherapists: College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
• Psychologists: College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario
• Psychotherapists: College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
• Social workers: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
• Dentists: Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
• Dental hygienists: College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario
• Optometrists: College of Optometrists of Ontario
• Chiropractors: College of Chiropractors of Ontario
• Massage therapists: College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
• Naturopaths: College of Naturopaths of Ontario
• Dietitians: College of Dietitians of Ontario
• Physicians: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

If you are not sure which college applies, search the profession’s name with “college Ontario”.

What the record may show

• Status: active, inactive, suspended or resigned
• Conditions: limits on practice
• Discipline history: outcomes of past hearings, where applicable
• Where they work

If something on the record confuses you, you can call the college. They handle this kind of question regularly.

A caution on titles

Some titles are protected, but others, like “counsellor” or “wellness practitioner”, may not be. A person using those titles may not be registered with any college. That is not always a problem, but you should know what you are buying, and ask what training and registration they hold.

What if someone is not on the register?

Ask the provider directly. There can be innocent reasons, such as a name change. If you are not satisfied, do not book. You can also tell the college.

Find a verified provider in your budget. Search by city, service and price at AffordableHealth.ca. It is free for patients. Every provider we list is checked against their college register.