New Rules for Foreign Lawyers in Canada 2026

What’s the New Update?

First of all, Canada has introduced new rules for foreign-trained lawyers who want to practice in common-law provinces (basically everywhere except Quebec).

From March 1, 2026, the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) added two new requirements.

What Are the Two New Requirements?

Now, along with the existing process, lawyers must also complete:

• Language screening (English or French)
• Indigenous Law and Peoples course

However, all the old requirements still apply too.

Language Screening – What Does It Mean?

To begin with, every applicant must prove their language ability before getting their credentials approved.

How it works:

• You must take a language screening test
• You only get one attempt
• Alternatively, you can skip it if you submit a valid recent test (less than 2 years old)

For English applicants:

• You take a Versant English test
• Minimum score required: 61

For French applicants:

• Currently, there’s no screening test
• So instead, you must take an approved French language test

What If You Don’t Pass the Screening?

Even if you don’t meet the required score initially, don’t worry.

You can still continue the process, but later you must pass a full language test (like IELTS or CELPIP) before getting your final certification.

Accepted Language Tests (Minimum Scores)

Next, here are the main accepted tests:

English:

• CELPIP: 9 in each section
• IELTS: 7 in each band
• PTE Core: Specific scores in Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking

French:

• Approved French tests (as per NCA guidelines)

Who Is Affected by This Rule?

Importantly, this rule applies to:

• New applicants
• And also some older applicants who reapply after further studies

So, even if you applied before March 2026, you might still be affected.

Indigenous Law Requirement – What Is It?

In addition, all applicants must now complete a separate course on Indigenous Law and Peoples.

This is to ensure lawyers understand Canada’s legal and cultural background.

What Will You Learn in This Course?

Specifically, the course covers:

• History of residential schools
• UNDRIP (Indigenous rights declaration)
• Relationship between Indigenous people and the government
• Legal concepts like “terra nullius”
• Issues like discrimination against Indigenous communities

How Can You Complete This Course?

Finally, you can complete this requirement through:

• A course by Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED)
• Or an NCA-approved law school in Canada

The CPLED course is:

• Online
• 6 weeks long
• Self-paced

Conclusion

Canada has made the process slightly stricter.

Now, foreign-trained lawyers must not only prove their language skills, but also understand Indigenous laws and history before they can practice.

Get in touch with SPS Global

Receive advice on any of your questions regarding Immigration Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).