All internationally educated midwives (IEMs) must apply directly to the College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO) — the regulatory authority for midwifery in the province.

• The CMO reviews your credentials, clinical experience, and language proficiency
• Based on this review, you may be referred to a Prior Learning and Experience Assessment (PLEA)

📎 Visit the CMO’s website to begin your application.

The PLEA evaluates whether your previous midwifery education and experience are equivalent to Ontario’s entry-to-practice requirements.

It may include:

• Document review
• Clinical skills and knowledge assessments
• Simulated practice exercises
• Language requirements (IELTS or CELBAN)

Outcome:

• If you meet most standards, the CMO may refer you to the International Midwifery Pre-registration Program (IMPP).
• If you already meet all standards, you may proceed directly to registration (rare).

If referred, you must complete the IMPBP at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson). This is a bridging program that prepares ITMs for safe and competent midwifery practice in Ontario.

IMPBP includes:

• Canadian health system orientation
• Clinical placements with licensed midwifery practices
• Cultural safety and documentation training
• CMRE preparation

📎 Visit the IMPBP website for full program details.

The OAPP is designed to assess whether internationally educated midwives meet the qualification requirements to practise midwifery in Ontario. It serves as an alternative to the previously offered International Midwifery Preregistration Program (IMPP), which concluded in 2021.

Program Structure:

• Online Modules: Participants complete three foundational assessment modules online, covering information about practising midwifery in Canada, overviews of expected competencies, and an introduction to the Canadian healthcare system.
• In-Person Intensive: Following the online modules, participants attend a 10-day in-person intensive course. This includes clinical skills practice, written exam review, and comprehensive assessment.

Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for the OAPP, applicants must:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to engage in employment in Canada.
• Have completed a formal structured midwifery education program outside of Canada.
• Have practised as a midwife providing clinical care in the previous six years.
• Have attended a minimum of 100 births as the primary midwife, with at least 40 of these births occurring after the completion of midwifery education.
• Have achieved a score of seven or above in all components of the IELTS academic test (or equivalent).

Outcome:

• Successful completion of the OAPP deems the participant to have equivalency to the qualifications of an Ontario Midwifery Education Program graduate.
• Participants become eligible to write the Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam (CMRE), enabling them to apply for registration with the College to practise in Ontario.

📎 Learn more about the OAPP

The CMRE is a national, standardized exam that tests your:

• Clinical judgment
• Safety protocols
• Professional ethics
• Knowledge of Canadian maternity care

You must pass the CMRE before you can register with the CMO.

After successful completion of the IMPP and CMRE:

• You can apply for registration with the College of Midwives of Ontario
• Once registered, you can legally begin practicing as a midwife in Ontario