General Registration Requirements

IMPORTANT:

The entire application process, with the exception of writing the Registration Exam, can be completed from outside Canada. If traveling from abroad, please make sure you have an official copy of all the documents needed for your application to the College of Chiropodists of Ontario before you leave your country of origin. Some applicants have difficulty obtaining their official documents once they have left their country which causes a delay in their application.

All candidates will be required to submit the following in support of their application in a form acceptable to the College. If applicants require the registration information in French, the College will provide it upon request:

1. Application form.
2. $200.00 non-refundable application fee (approved post-secondary programs); $500.00 (non-approved post-secondary programs) – payable to the College of Chiropodists of Ontario, which must accompany the application form.
3. Certificate of three month clinical experience or internship form which is forwarded directly from the certifying institution or practitioner to the College. The form is in the application package.
4. If applicable, official evidence of registration with another licensing body which is sent directly to the College from the registration/licensing body. The licensing body must fill out the form in the application package.
5. Official transcript of successful completion of a chiropody/podiatry program. Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution to the College. A transcript must confirm that a degree/diploma has been granted.
6. Photocopy of the graduation diploma from the chiropody/podiatry program.
7. Official transcript of successful completion of other academic program(s). Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution to the College.
8. Resume/curriculum vitae.
9. Photocopy of your birth certificate. Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency in Canada or authorized under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to practise the profession in Canada.
10. Signed copy of Confidentiality Agreement
11. Submit a Canadian police criminal record check. A police record check is a name-based search of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) system. The College only requires a Level 1 check (criminal record check) but will accept any other check provided as long as it is no more than six months old at the time of application. You can obtain a police record check from any local police department in Canada or online. Requests should include all your previous names and aliases. 

If you are unable to provide any of this documentation, please contact the Registrar of the College. Upon request, alternatives to the required documentation may be accepted by the College if an applicant cannot obtain the required documentation for reasons beyond their control.

Currently, the following educational designations are the only ones recognized by the College:

1. B Tech Pod – Baccalaureus Technologiae Podiatry
2. B. Pod. – Bachelor of Podiatry
3. B.Sc Pod – Bachelor of Science Podiatry
4. D.Ch. – Diploma in Chiropody
5. D.P.M. – Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
6. D.Pod.M. – Diploma in Podiatric Medicine

An applicant must possess a diploma or degree from an approved program, and is one of the educational designations listed. Applicants from non-approved programs must submit their academic information to the College for an evaluation that will be conducted by a third party. A report will be prepared for consideration by the College. The College will consider the academic evaluation report principally in connection with the criteria found in s. 4(1) 1 of the Registration Regulation which says: “The applicant must have successfully completed a post-secondary program approved by the Council whose curriculum includes courses in health sciences, chiropodial sciences, humanities and clinical education that, in the opinion of the Council, are relevant to the scope of practice of the profession.”

Please note: Any of the recognized educational designations cited above do not indicate that the program giving rise to that credential or designation is approved by Council. This list is only intended to convey the types of designations that the College recognizes. Anyone who has graduated from a chiropody or podiatry program outside of Ontario, should contact the College at info@cocoo.on.ca for information about their eligibility to write the Registration Examinations.

The assessment of your application form does not begin until the College has received all of the required documents and payment of your application fee. Delays to the application process can occur when required documents are not received by the College or if further information or clarification is required based on information provided in the application form.

The typical processing time for a general application (based on having obtained an accredited or approved diploma/degree in chiropody or a degree in podiatry and all documentation is complete) is approximately four to six days.

All documents submitted by an applicant to the College must be in English or French or translated into English or French. The College will accept documents translated into English or French provided that the translation is an original, has been done by an organization or person acceptable to the College and bears the seal and contract information of the organization or person who has completed the translation. The applicant is responsible to pay any fees associated with translation of the documents.

Any of the following circumstances would slow down the registration/evaluation process:

1. Incomplete applications. Please double check your application before sending it to the College to ensure that your application is completed in full;
2. Receiving any/all transcripts from the applicant and not directly from the educational institution(s);
3. Receiving transcripts lacking information: e.g., no indication if a degree/diploma was conferred/typing errors;
4. Lack of additional documents needed from applicant or educational institution(s); 
5. Receipt of additional documents in a language other than English or French; and/or
6. Receipt and review of information relating to program approval.

Applicants are required to demonstrate this good conduct and character by disclosing to the College all past offences, findings or professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity. All applicants sign a declaration that all information provided is true, complete and current.

You must be able to show proficiency in either English or French to practice chiropody in Ontario. This is to ensure you have the appropriate level of language skills needed to practice as a chiropodist. The College defines “language proficiency” as the ability to communicate and comprehend effectively, both orally and in writing, in either English or French. You can demonstrate language proficiency through education, registration status (previous registration with the College or in another Canadian jurisdiction), language proficiency testing or experience.

Applicants can meet the language proficiency requirement by achieving the minimum scores for one of the following tests:

• CELPIP (General)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): General and academic training versions
• Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)
• Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)

Applicants must achieve the test scores for all test components during one complete attempt of the test. If necessary, applicants can re-take tests, in full, to demonstrate language proficiency.

Visit the examination websites to learn more about testing locations and times, fees and re-takes.