A 24-year-old dentist (2 years' experience, WES equivalency at masters level, citizen relative in Ontario) asked whether a regulated profession like dentistry can go the PNP route. Member views diverged, but a structure emerged:
- Immigration and licensing are separate tracks. You can pursue permanent residence through Federal Skilled Worker / Express Entry without holding a Canadian dental licence — one member was explicit that FSW is open even where provincial nomination isn't. But to practise dentistry after landing, you must clear NDEB registration and its exams regardless.
- PNP streams for dentists drew contradictory answers. One member said a Canadian licence is effectively needed for PNP; another said both PNP and EE are open; a third said no provincial nomination exists for dentists. The honest takeaway: PNP eligibility for regulated health professions varies by province and stream — check each province's occupation lists and licensing preconditions directly rather than trusting a single answer.
- Sequence pragmatically. IELTS first (it gates everything), run the CRS numbers for FSW, and start understanding the NDEB equivalency process early — like other regulated professions, it is long and expensive.
Historical note: thread uses the pre-TEER NOC 3113 code; occupation lists and health-profession draws have changed since.