By Olga Fragis, Founder & CEO, Live Assets IT Staffing Solutions
When was the last time you asked your recruiter if they’re licensed? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. Licensing is still new in our industry. For years, recruiters in Ontario didn’t need a licence at all. Now they do.
And I am excited to share that Live Assets is officially a licensed recruiter in Ontario under the Employment Standards Act.
A licence number is not the kind of thing that usually makes anyone’s heart beat faster. But sit with what it represents, because it says something real about how recruitment is finally changing, and about the people the change is meant to protect.
What Many Employers Don’t Know About Recruiter Licensing
Here is the part that catches people off guard: under the Employment Standards Act, a company cannot knowingly use an unlicensed recruiter. So this is not only the recruiter’s responsibility. It is yours too.
A few quick things worth knowing:
- Every recruiter and temporary help agency in Ontario now needs a licence.
- Licensed firms have to meet provincial standards and post a $25,000 security to protect workers.
- Anyone can check a recruiter’s licence for free in the Ministry of Labour’s public registry. It takes about two minutes.
For us, nothing changes. We have always believed that people are living assets, not commodities. Now there is a standard behind that belief, and I could not be happier.
What This Means for our Clients and Customers
If you are a candidate, it means a layer of protection you did not have a few years ago. A licensed recruiter has something to lose, which gives you recourse if you are ever treated unfairly. It is one more reason to ask a simple question before you work with anyone: are you licensed?
If you are an employer, it means due diligence is now part of your responsibility, not just the recruiter’s. Using an unlicensed agency is no longer a grey area. It is a risk you own. Working with a licensed partner protects your business as much as it protects the people you hire.
How to Check That Your Recruiter Is Licensed
This is the practical part, and we think everyone hiring or job-hunting in Ontario should know it.
The Ministry of Labour keeps a public registry of every licensed temporary help agency and recruiter in the province. Anyone can search it. It shows each firm’s licence status and any conditions attached to it. It takes about two minutes.
Before you sign with any recruiter, look them up. If they are licensed, you will find them. If they are not, that tells you something important before you have handed over your trust, your time, or your career. We would rather you check and feel sure than take anyone’s word for it, including ours. Our licence number is right at the top of this page for exactly that reason.
Common Questions About Recruiter Licensing in Ontario
Do recruiters need a licence in Ontario?
Yes. Since July 1, 2024, every recruiter and temporary help agency operating in Ontario must hold a licence under the Employment Standards Act, 2000. This applies to firms outside Ontario as well if they place workers in the province.
How do I check if a recruitment agency is licensed?
Search the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s public registry of licensed temporary help agencies and recruiters. It lists each firm’s licence status and any conditions, and it is free and open to the public.
Is Live Assets a licensed recruiter?
Yes. Live Assets Ltd. is a licensed recruiter in Ontario under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, licence number REC-0000005519, approved by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
What happens if a company uses an unlicensed recruiter?
Employers cannot knowingly use an unlicensed recruiter or temporary help agency. Doing so carries real risk, and operating without a licence can lead to monetary penalties and prosecution. Working with a licensed firm protects both the employer and the workers involved.
Trust, Earned and Verifiable
Trust has always been the real currency of recruitment. The difference now is that in Ontario, a piece of it is verifiable, in a public registry, in two minutes, by anyone. We think that is a good thing for everybody, including the firms who have always tried to do right by people.
We are licensed, we are accountable, and yes, we are proud of it. Not because a licence makes us good at what we do, but because it reflects the standard we have tried to hold all along. The law simply agrees with us now.
Looking for a recruitment partner you can verify and trust?
Whether you are hiring or exploring your next move, we would welcome a straight, honest conversation. Check our licence, ask us anything, and let’s talk about what you are trying to build.
Get in touch today, here.
Live Assets Ltd. holds Ontario recruiter licence REC-0000005519 under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, valid April 30, 2026 to April 30, 2027.
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