Ontario Licensing Checklist for Civil Law Lawyers

Use this as a planning checklist only. Confirm current requirements directly with the NCA and the Law Society of Ontario.

Before the NCA assessment
[ ] Degree certificate and official transcripts
[ ] Certified translations, if required
[ ] Identity documents and name-change records
[ ] Letters of standing or professional records
[ ] Details of legal work experience

NCA planning
[ ] NCA portal access
[ ] Assessment decision saved
[ ] Assigned requirements reviewed carefully
[ ] Language screening plan, if requested
[ ] Legal research and writing route
[ ] Indigenous Law and Peoples module or approved course
[ ] NCA exam or Canadian law school course calendar
[ ] Budget for NCA fees, exams, courses, translations, and materials

LSO planning
[ ] LSO application timing
[ ] Certificate of Qualification timing
[ ] Good character questionnaire notes and supporting documents
[ ] Barrister exam study plan
[ ] Solicitor exam study plan
[ ] Articling, LPP, or abridgement strategy
[ ] Budget for LSO fees, materials, training, and living costs

Final steps
[ ] Experiential training confirmed
[ ] Licensing components recorded as complete
[ ] Final LSO instructions reviewed
[ ] Copies of final records saved