Application Deadlines
The ACPO reviews applications quarterly. The next review is in March 30 2026. The deadline to have applications completed to be reviewed on this date is March 20th. As part of you application you will need to upload the following documents:- Current CV
- Official Transcripts
- WES Assessment, if transcripts were obtained outside of Canada
- Proof of enrollment (student applications)
- Residency: Must reside in Canada.
Chartered Chemist (C.Chem.)
Full Professional Chemist membership and the right to use the title C.Chem. requires:
Education
Applicants must have graduated from:
- A chemistry program accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC), or
- A provincially accredited chemistry program (e.g., OCQ – Québec),
or
An equivalent university degree conferred upon completion of a program in which chemical sciences (“molecular entities”) were a major subject. The program must include at least 1,000 hours of instruction in chemical sciences.
A certificate from the accredited program is required.
Applicants who did not complete an accredited program must hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry that includes:
- A minimum of 16 single-semester university-level chemistry courses
- At least two single-semester courses in each of three of the following five major chemistry subdisciplines:
- Biochemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- At least one course in each selected subdiscipline must be at the senior (third- or fourth-year) university level.
Work Experience
Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of four (4) years of full-time, chemistry-related post-undergraduate work experience.
Work experience credit may be granted as follows:
- One (1) year of credit for completion of an M.Sc. in Chemistry
- A maximum of two (2) years of credit for completion of:
- A Ph.D. in Chemistry, or
- An M.Sc. in Chemistry plus a Ph.D. in Chemistry
- A maximum of one (1) additional year of credit for one or more years of post-doctoral fellowship experience.
Only Chartered Chemist members hold full rights and privileges under applicable provincial regulations and are eligible to be issued an official C.Chem. stamp.
Work & Residency
- Applicants must reside or be working in Canada, or;
- Be a Member in Good Standing of a chemistry association in Canada that is part of the reciprocity agreement.
References
References must be provided by a C.Chem. or an individual with a professional designation (P. Eng., P. Geo.) that can speak to the applicants’ technical experience and ethical standards. The Principal Investigator for a M.Sc. or Ph.D. will be considered; however, references from professors during the undergraduate degree will not be accepted.
C Chem (Reciprocity) through the Government of Ontario “As of Right” Framework
Learn more about labour mobility between provinces and territories
Please note: You must be a current member of an out-of-province regulatory authority to apply through reciprocity.
Effective January 1, 2026, through the Ontario government’s new “As of Right” framework, a worker in a regulated, non-health occupation who is certified by an out-of-province regulatory authority can apply through a streamlined process to begin working in Ontario. This will allow chemists to work for a one-time, six-month period while the regulatory authority makes a full certification decision.
Chemists will need to submit their registration documents to the ACPO and meet any other requirements that the regulatory authority has imposed for the purpose of “As of Right.” From there:
- Within 10 business days, they will receive confirmation that they are deemed to be certified in Ontario and can begin working.
- They can work for up to 6 months while completing their full application to register with the Ontario regulatory authority for their occupation.
Process for Chemists to Apply Using the As of Right Procedure
- Apply for membership using the C Chem – Reciprocity application. Please note, you will be required to pay the $120 application fee at this time.
- The ACPO office will verify your membership with the out-of-province regulatory authority listed on your application.
- Upon verification, you will receive C Chem membership within 10 business days.
- This process will permit you up to 6 months to provide a reference and CV.
- Should you not complete the application process within 6 months, you will no longer be permitted to use the C Chem title.
- Chemist in Training Member of the ACPO Chemist-in-Training membership is intended as an entry-level category for individuals who meet the educational requirements of the C.Chem. designation but have not yet completed the required professional work experience. C.I.T. members are expected to be actively progressing toward full Professional Chemist status.
- Student Member of the ACPO Student Members are those members who are current students enrolled in a degree in Chemistry from a Canadian University.
Schedule of Fees and Dues
Below is the fees and dues schedule effective for the current Membership Year. Out-of-province applications will be reviewed for Canadian residents who prove Ontario residency or employment. ACPO Membership Application Fees (Canadian currency)| C. Chem. | $120 (1,2) |
| Out of Province C. Chem. | $120 (1,2) |
| Chemist in Training | $120 (1,2) |
| Student | free |
| C. Chem. | $200 |
| Chemist in Training | $100 |
| Student | free |
| Retired C. Chem. | $45 |
