A profession is a type of work that needs special training and education. People in a profession follow rules and standards to make sure their work is done safely, ethically, and in the best interests of the public.
A professional can be described as a highly educated person, who enjoys a degree of work autonomy, and renders specialized services based on theory, knowledge, and skills that are most often particular to their profession. Professionals hold themselves accountable for the quality of their work.
The criteria for regulation are whether there is risk of harm to public health safety or well-being and whether such risks are likely to occur. Regulation then provides a framework to carry out and enforce the provisions of legislation. In health care, regulation exists to ensure the public is protected when they seek or receive health care services.
Protection of the public is achieved through various mechanisms, like setting standards for education, registration, and practice, as well as establishing processes for investigating complaints and disciplining regulated members (also called registrants).
Self-regulation is founded on the principle that members of a profession—by virtue of their specialized knowledge, skills, and judgment—are best positioned to regulate their own practice in the public interest. It is a privilege, not a right, granted by government on behalf of the public. Any individual practising as a Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologist (MRIT) in a province where the profession is regulated must be registered with their provincial regulatory body (or “college”) and hold an active licence or practice permit to work legally.
Regulation provides assurance to the public that the regulated members of colleges are highly educated health professionals who are accountable to a regulatory body for the quality of care they provide. The public can bring concerns about a regulated health care provider directly to their regulatory college.
Health regulatory organizations are often called “colleges.” A college protects the public by implementing, administering and enforcing healthcare legislation:
Colleges are governed by a board of directors or council. Each board of directors or council consists of members of the profession and one or more government-appointed public members (public members are also involved in a college’s complaints and discipline processes). Public members provide valuable public input, oversight and representation into college policy and decision-making processes.
The role of the governing body is to regulate the profession and oversee the college’s management, actions and policy development within the framework of the legislation. The governing body is not involved with the day-to-day operation of the college – this falls to the registrar and college staff. The registrar oversees the registration, licensing and regulation of the health professionals by ensuring that the individuals entering and practicing as MRITs in each province meet the registration requirements and practice ethically.
As of May 1, 2025, MRITS are regulated in eight provinces:
MRIT professionals in British Columbia and Manitoba have been working for many years to have their professions regulated in their provinces.
No, each college has its own registration requirements, based on each province’s legislation. Individuals wishing to practice in a regulated province must contact the specific provincial college for details.
Currently, four provinces regulate DMS: Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
Alberta is currently working with their government to regulate DMS.
No. A regulatory college is not an MRIT school. It sets the rules and standards for the profession. MRIT education programs are offered by post-secondary schools. A list of accredited MRIT programs in Canada can be found on the Accreditation Canada website.
