Individuals who obtained their law degree or legal training outside Canada must first complete an accreditation process before they can enter the licensing pathway in Ontario. Accreditation is handled by the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA), a body of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC). The NCA evaluates whether an applicant’s legal education and experience are equivalent to a Canadian common law degree.

Who needs NCA Accreditation

You must apply to the NCA if you are:

• A lawyer trained outside Canada
• A foreign‑trained law graduate
• A Canadian who completed their law degree abroad

This includes applicants from both common law and civil law jurisdictions.

The NCA Assessment Process

The NCA reviews the applicant’s:

• Academic transcripts
• Course descriptions
• Proof of call to the bar (if applicable)
• Evidence of legal work experience

Based on this review, the NCA issues an Assessment Report outlining what the applicant must complete to meet Canadian common law standards.

Typical NCA Requirements

Most internationally trained applicants are required to complete some combination of:

1. NCA Challenge Exams

These are standardized exams administered by the NCA. Common required subjects include:

• Canadian Administrative Law
• Canadian Constitutional Law
• Canadian Criminal Law
• Foundations of Canadian Law
• Professional Responsibility

2. Additional Law School Courses

Some applicants may be required to take specific courses at a Canadian law school, especially if their prior education does not cover core Canadian subjects.

3. Proof of Language Proficiency

Applicants may need to demonstrate proficiency in English or French.

4. Proof of Legal Experience

In some cases, relevant legal work experience may reduce the number of required exams or courses.

NCA Certificate of Qualification

Once all assigned requirements are completed, the NCA issues a Certificate of Qualification. This certificate confirms that the applicant’s legal education and experience are equivalent to a Canadian common law degree.

The Certificate of Qualification is the final step in the accreditation process and is required before an applicant can apply to the Law Society of Ontario’s licensing process.

More information

For more information, refer to the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA).

								
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