To begin the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (the College), please complete the following steps.

1. Show proof of identity

Complete the online Application for Pre-Registration and submit it along with a copy of valid, government-issued photo identification, as detailed in the PLAR Applicant Handbook.

2. Show proof of formal education

To be eligible for PLAR, you must have a minimum of a Canadian undergraduate degree or equivalent (in a healthcare-related discipline reasonably related to naturopathy) from an accredited academic institution.

If you completed your education outside of Canada, an assessment of your degree(s) by a member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACES) is required, these currently include the following organizations:

• Comparative Education Service (CES),
• International Credentials Assessment Service of Canada (ICASC),
• Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles (MIFI),
• International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS),
• International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES), and
• World Education Services (WES).

Results of the formal education assessment must be sent directly to the College from the credential evaluation agency.

If you completed your education in Canada, please arrange to have your university send your transcripts directly to the College. If the academic institution is unable to send a transcript directly, we will accept a certified copy of the transcript issued to you.

If transcripts and official university documents are in a language other than English or French, translation by an official translator is required. You will be responsible for any associated fees.

If transcripts cannot be obtained due to exceptional circumstances, please contact us at applications@collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca for information about acceptable alternate documentation.

3. Show proof of language proficiency

If your primary language is not English or French, and your relevant education was not conducted in either language, a College-approved language proficiency test in either English or French is required, as noted in the College’s Language Proficiency Policy. The College requires a language proficiency test to be obtained from one of the following institutions.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) – Total score of 100 (including Home and Paper Edition) with a minimum of 25 on all skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).  

• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Level 7 (General) required on all skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). In Ontario: www.ieltscanada.ca. International: www.ielt.org.

• Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL) – A minimum overall score of 70.

• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program Test (CELPIP) – Level 8 (General) required on all skills (Listening, reading, writing and speaking).

• Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF)  (For demonstrating French proficiency only) – minimum 233 in reading, minimum 310 in writing, minimum 280 in listening and a minimum 310 in speaking.

• Test de connaissance du Français (TCF)  (For demonstrating French proficiency only) – minimum 499 in reading, minimum 12 in writing, minimum 503 in listening and a minimum 12 in speaking.

Please contact the institution directly for the associated costs.

4. Submit a completed Document of Education and Experience

The Document of Education and Experience is a form for PLAR candidates to submit information regarding their education and experience in naturopathy for the paper-based assessment component of the PLAR process. 

Important note: If you live outside of Canada, you can complete the above processes before moving here. We strongly recommend, however, that applicants outside of Canada obtain official copies of all the documents needed before arriving in Canada to prevent any delays.