Midwifery credentials are assessed by provincial or territorial midwifery regulators, not by a national body.
Each province has its own process to determine if your international education and experience meet Canadian standards.

You may be asked to complete a Prior Learning and Experience Assessment (PLEA) or a competency-based assessment.

Common documents requested include:

• Degree/diploma
• Proof of registration or licensure in your home country
• Employment history and references
• Language proficiency results (IELTS or CELBAN)

This is often the next step after credential recognition and involves evaluating your practical skills and knowledge to see how closely they match Canadian midwifery standards.

It may include:

• Document review (e.g., diplomas, course outlines, work experience)
• Language proficiency tests
• Clinical skills assessments
• Structured interviews or multiple-choice tests

Purpose:
To determine if your education and experience are sufficient for registration — or if you require further training.

Outcome:

• If you meet most Canadian standards, you may be allowed to proceed to the Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam (CMRE).
• If gaps are identified, you may be referred to a bridging program.

Note: In some provinces (e.g., BC or Ontario), assessment is a required gateway to the bridging program.

In provinces like Ontario and British Columbia, you cannot directly apply to the bridging program as an internationally educated midwife (IEM) — even if you already hold midwifery credentials from another country.

Instead, you’re first required to undergo an official assessment process by the provincial midwifery regulator. This is a mandatory gateway step designed to evaluate your education, skills, and clinical experience to determine:

• Whether you’re already eligible to proceed directly to registration
• Or if you need to complete additional training through a bridging program

This assessment process is often referred to as a Prior Learning and Experience Assessment (PLEA) or Competency Assessment depending on the province. It usually includes:

• A review of your documents
• A skills and knowledge evaluation
• Sometimes, a simulation-based clinical assessment

If the assessment shows gaps, a bridging program helps you fill those gaps and become oriented to Canadian midwifery practice.

Typically includes:

• Clinical placements in Canada
• Classroom learning (e.g., Canadian regulations, documentation, cultural safety)
• Preparation for licensing exams (like CMRE)

Purpose:
To equip you with the knowledge, skills, and supervised experience needed to practice safely in Canada.

Duration:
Usually 6 months to 2 years, depending on the program and the province.

Eligibility to Apply:
Before joining a bridging or assessment program, you must show that you’re legally allowed to study or work in Canada.
This usually means you have:

• A co-op work permit (if the program includes practical training)
• Permanent resident status
• Refugee status
• Or are a Canadian citizen

• A national exam used by most provinces and territories
• Assesses clinical judgment, safety, ethics, and knowledge of maternity care in Canada
• Offered multiple times per year
• Typically completed during or after a bridging program

Note: The CMRE is used by most provinces and territories in Canada, including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan, as part of the registration process for midwives. However, Québec follows a separate licensing process managed by the Ordre des sages-femmes du Québec (OSFQ) and does not use the CMRE. Instead, internationally educated midwives planning to practice in Québec must meet province-specific requirements, which may include French language proficiency and Québec-specific clinical and regulatory assessments. Applicants are encouraged to contact the OSFQ directly for up-to-date information.