How to become a licensed paralegal in Ontario

Ontario is one of the few places in Canada where paralegals are licensed and can represent clients on their own in certain matters. To get there, you complete an accredited program, pass the Law Society's licensing exam, and meet the good character requirement. The Law Society says the licensing process takes 9 to 15 months on average.

The steps

1. Complete an accredited paralegal education program. Only programs accredited by the Law Society qualify (Law Society of Ontario).
2. Apply to the paralegal licensing process through LSO Connects.
3. Pass the paralegal licensing exam.
4. Meet the good character requirement, through the questionnaire in your application.
5. Pay your fees and become licensed through administrative licensure.

You can work on several of these at once. For example, the exam and the good character review can run in parallel (Law Society of Ontario).

Choosing a program

Accredited paralegal programs are offered by Ontario colleges, often as diplomas or graduate certificates. When you compare programs, check that the program appears on the Law Society's list of accredited programs, then look at:

• the length and format, including part-time and online options,
• the field placement, which is often where students find their first job,
• exam preparation support, and
• graduates' licensing exam results, if the college shares them.

The licensing exam

• It is self-study, open-book, and multiple-choice, in English or French.
• You may bring printed, marked-up copies of the Law Society's study materials. Digital materials are not allowed.
• It covers ethics and professional responsibility, Canadian law, civil litigation, administrative law, criminal and quasi-criminal law and procedure, alternative dispute resolution, and practice management.
• If you fail, you can request an appeal within 10 business days of your result, and the decision is final.

Source: Law Society of Ontario, paralegal licensing exams.

Fees

Source: Law Society of Ontario, paralegal licensing fees. College tuition is separate.

What licensed paralegals can do

A paralegal licence lets you advise and represent clients in permitted areas, which include:

• Small Claims Court matters. Ontario raised the Small Claims Court limit to $50,000 on October 1, 2025 (practicePRO).
• Provincial offences, such as many traffic and regulatory charges.
• Certain summary conviction criminal matters.
• Proceedings before Ontario and federal tribunals, such as landlord and tenant matters.

The exact scope is set by the Law Society in By-law 4 and has conditions and exclusions. Family law work requires a separate authorization: paralegals who complete the Family Legal Services Provider (FLSP) program may handle a defined set of family matters, such as uncontested divorces and some motions to change child support (Law Society of Ontario).

Good character

Like lawyer candidates, paralegal candidates must be of good character. You answer questions in your application and self-report anything that may raise an issue. Answering yes does not automatically disqualify you, but failing to disclose can.

Your first paralegal job

Many new paralegals start at firms that handle small claims, traffic, landlord and tenant, or employment matters, or work as law clerks while they finish licensing. Our paralegal resume guide and guide to stating your licence status can help you present your credentials accurately.