Pathway 2: Deemed Certification Application
How do I apply?
Download the checklist of documents needed to apply as a professional geoscientist, who is already registered in another Canadian jurisdiction.
Who this is for?
This pathway is for individuals who are already registered as professional geoscientists (including limited professional geoscientists) in another Canadian jurisdiction and who wish to apply for registration in Ontario through the deemed certification labour mobility process.
Starting on January 1, 2026, under the Ontario government’s “Deemed Certification” legislation, a worker in a regulated profession who is registered in another Canadian jurisdiction can apply to begin working in Ontario as soon as a completed application has been received.
The legislation states that eligible applicants are deemed certified within 10 business days for up to 6 months while a decision is made on full registration. PGO surpasses these requirements by issuing a decision on professional registration within 10 business days of receiving a complete application.
To be considered for registration under the “deemed certification” legislation, applicants must submit the required documentation, including the deemed certification attestation form and meet PGO’s professional geoscientist mobility application requirements.
A complete application consists of:
1. Application form;
2. Application fee;
3. Redacted photo ID;
4. Confirmation request forms from applicable geoscience regulators;
5. Deemed certification attestation form.
Application requirements
As part of the deemed certification labour mobility process, applicants must be registered with at least one other geoscience regulator in Canada. Applicants must be registered as professional geoscientists, or limited professional geoscientists, or equivalent and considered to be in good standing with that organisation.
For those who are registered as limited professional geoscientists, or equivalent
Where an applicant has terms, conditions or limitations on their certificate of registration from another Canadian geoscience regulator, PGO will impose the same terms, conditions or limitations.
To apply:
1. Start by filling out your personal details in the online application form.
2. When asked to “select your registration” at the start of the application, please select “2. Practising registrant registered elsewhere in Canada”.
3. When you get to section 7, select all jurisdictions that you are, or have been, registered with.
4. A confirmation request form will be automatically sent to those jurisdictions when you submit your application.
5. Scan/photograph your photo ID and make a redacted copy to be uploaded to section 10 of the application form. Please see the redacted ID guidelines.
6. Pay the application fee and submit the application.
7. Complete the deemed certification attestation form and send to applications@pgo.ca with the subject heading “Deemed certification attestation form” and be sure to include your name and application number in the email.
Important note:
Deemed certification is valid for up to six months, is one-time only, and cannot be renewed or extended. It is not intended to allow practice in Ontario for free for six months.
Please remember to note the application number provided to you, and provide it when corresponding with PGO staff.
The applicant has a duty to monitor the provided email account, including a junk mail folder, for communication from PGO.
Related labour mobility pages
Apply through the standard labour mobility application | How long does it take? | How much will it cost? | Internal Review or Appeal Process
