Why Alberta?
Affordability
Stability
Benefits
Adventure
Your IEHP Career is waiting in Alberta
Alberta is more than just an option for Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs).
The province, west of Canada, offers a wider and faster of opportunities over Ontario.
From Employment, to Living Expenses and Adventure, Alberta can be the next destination for a fresh start.
Backed by research, this interactive page shows the benefits that come with choosing Alberta, beating the competition in Ontario for the current state of employment and cost of living.
Licensed IEHPs should expect significantly less competition when landing a job in Alberta instead of Ontario.
According to Statistics Canada (2021), approximately 259,695 Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) are living in Canada.
- Ontario is home to 116,310 IEHPs working for finding work (45%).
- Alberta counted 42,035 (16%) IEHPs residing in the province.
Of the total number of IEHPs in Canada (259,695):
- Ontario has the highest number of nurses with 32,655 active in the province.
- Alberta has the second highest number of licensed or active IENs at 16,410 (half of Ontario)
- Ontario has the highest number of Lab/Technologists with 3,750 active in the province.
- Alberta has less than half of Ontario's Lab/Technologists with 1,340 active or licensed in the province.
- Ontario has the highest number of active Pharmacists, with 11,570 in the province.
- Alberta has significantly less Internationally Educated Pharmacists with 3,485 licensed or active in the province.
Click on the switch below to view the total of IEHPs in Alberta and Ontario
By the Numbers (Job Climate)
By the numbers...
Ontario has a higher density job market than Alberta, leading to competition, high turnover rates (changing staff) and less permanent employment.
Alberta has a slightly lower job vacancy rate, but much lower staffed positions.
This suggests Alberta has a stronger career stability by higher job retention and a lower turnover rate.
Click on the toggle to compare the Job Market and Hourly Wages for each province.
By the numbers...
According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, Registered Nurses (RNs) in Alberta earn more than the Ontario median.
Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) in Alberta also earn slightly higher hourly wages.
It is also important to note that wages could also increase from a variety of factors, including seniority and the town or city within the province.
By the numbers...
IEHPs looking to fill in gaps of education with Bridging Programs can find significantly more affordable pathways in Alberta along the cost of living during semesters (see next section below).
Under Alberta's Rural Health Action Plan, the provincial government plans on boosting healthcare roles in smaller cities and towns that require medical services. This initiative includes funding that will incentivize working in rural areas that EPIC-HC connects clients to for higher job opportunities and long-term stability. The plan includes opening up more roles and funding through grants for IEHPs, such as:
- The Bursary for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN) - up to $30,000.
- The Pharmacy Student Bursary - up to $14,000 per year with a local sponsor.
- The Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologist (IEMLT) Bursary Program - up to $12,884.
Below is a chart outlining tuition costs from leading Bridging Schools in Ontario and Alberta (updated as of Jan. 2025).
Medical Laboratory Technologist
Alberta does not offer Bridging Programs for Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologists (IEMLTs).
Nursing
Tuition: $8625 (Bridge to Canadian Nursing, without optional Clinical Skills Mastery course)
The Bridge Program for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN) allows Registered Nurses (RNs) to fill in competency gaps along the licensing process with a flexible program while learning about Canadian practices in its healthcare system.
The program is designed to fill the requirements from the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta or workplace. It includes an optional preparation course for the Next Generation NCLEX Prep.
The program spans one year.
Pharmacy
Tuition: $13,500 (Certificate to Canadian Pharmacy Practice)
This bridging program gives internationally trained pharmacists the opportunity to re-enter practice while filling in the required education material to complete the PEBC exam. The courses run across three semester (10 months) with a blend of online and in-person courses.
Medical Laboratory Technologist
Tuition: $10,000 (Bridging Program for Internationally Trained Medical Laboratory Technology Program)
This CSMLS approved bridging program offers IEMLTs who have passed the body's Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) the entry-level Canadian knowledge and tools for gaining their licenses with up-to-date standards. The theory includes Microbiology, Hematology and Analytical Techniques with Specimen Collection.
The program spans 38 weeks (approx. 10 months) and uses a hybrid learning model with a blend of online courses and in-person lab exercises.
Nursing
Tuition: $15,844 (Enhanced Practice for Internationally Educated Nurses)
The RPN Refresher gives both Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) and Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) a chance to complete their competency gaps set by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).
The program spans 7 to 8 months (28 to 32 weeks) and is tailored for those out of practice for three or more years with a mix of hybrid learning courses.
Pharmacy
Tuition: $13,930 (International Pharmacy Graduate Program)
This graduate program gives Internationally Educated Pharmacists opportunities to meet Canadian education gaps and further entry-level requirements ahead of the PEBC exam and/or joining the workforce.
The program spans 23 weeks (approx. 5 months) and includes two terms with a break between CPS 1 and 2.
Source: Statistics Canada: Job vacancies, payroll employees, and job vacancy rate by provinces and territories, monthly, unadjusted for seasonality (Sorted by range from October 2020 to October 2024); Government of Canada Market Report - Prevailing Wages in Canada - Updated December 2024.
Costs of Living
Alberta has a significantly lower cost of living compared to Ontario regions.
This includes affordable housing options which vary from rural areas in the province.
You can interact with the toggle below to compare some of Alberta's top rural average housing prices with Ontario.
Average Rent Prices (By Type)
Bachelor: $776/month
1 Bedroom Apartment: $873/month
2 Bedroom Apartment: $1,053/month
3 Bedroom Apartment: $1,158/month
Average Rent Prices (By Type)
Bachelor: $845/month
1 Bedroom Apartment: $1102/month
2 Bedroom Apartment: $1315/month
Average Rent Prices (By Type)
Bachelor Apartment: $911/month
1 Bedroom Apartment: $1061/month
2 Bedroom Apartment: $1245/month
3 Bedroom Apartment: $1335/month
Average Rent Prices (By Type)
1 Bedroom Apartment: $1109/month
2 Bedroom Apartment: $1260/month
3 Bedroom Apartment: $1277/month
Average Rent Prices (By Type)
1 Bedroom Apartment: $1151/month
2 Bedroom Apartment: $1319/month
3 Bedroom Apartment: $1509/month
Average Rent Prices (By Type)
Bachelor Apartment: $877/month
1 Bedroom Apartment: $1043/month
2 Bedroom Apartment: $1367/month
3 Bedroom Apartment: $1471/month
Average Rent Prices (By Type)
Bachelor Apartment: $875/month
1 Bedroom Apartment: $1164/month
2 Bedroom Apartment: $1404/month
3 Bedroom Apartment: $1517/month
Average Rent Prices (By Type)
Bachelor Apartment: $959/month
1 Bedroom Apartment: $1186/month
2 Bedroom Apartment: $1473/month
3 Bedroom Apartment: $1565/month
Average Rent Prices (By Type)
Bachelor Apartment: $1031/month
1 Bedroom Apartment: $1442/month
2 Bedroom Apartment: $1563/month
3 Bedroom Apartment: $1573/month
Average Rent Prices (By Type)
1 Bedroom Apartment: $1,100/month
2 Bedroom Apartment: $1,599/month
3 Bedroom Apartment: $1,911/month
4 Bedroom Apartment: $2,199/month
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is an approximate measurement of financial data that assesses the cost of living, from housing to food, transportation and health.
It can also be used to assess economy, inflation and rising costs of living across Canada.
The CPI is read with a baseline of 100 (i.e. a CPI of 168.9 suggests a 69% inflation).
Below, you can compare the annual average of expenses between Alberta and Ontario from 2020-2024:
The latest CPI data suggests Alberta boasts a higher cost of living than Ontario. But is factored by higher wages and more affordable rent, which balances inflation and allow EPIC-HC clients to have a higher quality of life in Alberta over Ontario when working in the province's rural areas.
Pathway
Medical Laboratory Technologist
Note: This process is the same for Ontario & Alberta
Body: The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS)
Prerequisite: Prior Learning Assessment (PLA),
Step: MLT-General Exam
Estimated cost: $4,060 total with PLA + MLT Exam (non-members)
Nursing (Registered)
Credential: The College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
Prerequisite: Currency of Practice, Jurisprudence
Step: Currency of Practice (1 in 6 options)
Estimated cost: $780.25 sign-up
Pharmacist
Note: This process is the same for Ontario & Alberta
Credential: The Pharmacist Examing Board of Canada (PEBC)
Prerequisite: Document Evaluation, PEBC Evaluating Examination
Step: The Pharmacist Evaluating Examination (Two Parts)
Estimated cost: $4,495 total with PEBC Exams
Medical Laboratory Technologist
Note: This process is the same for Ontario & Alberta
Body: The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS)
Prerequisite: Prior Learning Assessment (PLA),
Step: MLT-General Exam
Estimated cost: $4,060 total with PLA + MLT Exam (non-members)
Nursing
Credential: The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
Prerequisite: Registration Exam, Jurisprudence Exam, National Nursing Assessment (NNAS)
Step: Next-Gen NCLEX-RN (Or REx-PN)
Estimated cost: $1,369.68 sign-up
Pharmacist
Note: This process is the same for Ontario & Alberta
Credential: The Pharmacist Examing Board of Canada (PEBC)
Prerequisite: Document Evaluation, PEBC Evaluating Examination
Step: The Pharmacist Evaluating Examination (Two Parts)
Estimated cost: $4,495 total with PEBC Exams
