We’re pleased to announce that RDHs with a professional corporation can renew their Certificate of Authorization starting April 1. The deadline to renew is May 1, 2025. RDHs will receive an email on the morning of April 1 with further instructions.   As part of the Self-Service Portal upgrade, all RDHs were emailed during the week of March 3 with instructions on how to create a new username and password. To help get ready for renewal, please ensure that you’ve set up your new login details before April 1. If you did not receive that email or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact registration@cdho.org.

Registered Dental Hygienists can practise Dental Hygiene through a health professional corporation. Your health professional corporation must comply with the requirements below to obtain a Certificate of Authorization from CDHO to practise through a corporation.

Step 1 — Establish a Health Professional Corporation

You can establish a health professional corporation with the Ontario Government.

CDHO cannot provide legal or business advice on how to establish a health professional corporation. You are strongly encouraged to seek professional advice from an accountant or lawyer to assist you with incorporating.

A health professional corporation cannot offer Dental Hygiene services without a Certificate of Authorization issued by CDHO. When establishing your health professional corporation, you must ensure that it meets the requirements for a Certificate of Authorization (see below), including the name of the corporation.

To avoid processing delays, you are encouraged to contact CDHO to confirm the name of the proposed corporation.

Step 2 — Confirm Requirements for a Certificate of Authorization

The health professional corporation must meet the following requirements to obtain a Certificate of Authorization:

• Registration Status
  • You must be currently registered in good standing with CDHO in the General or Specialty Class
• Directors and Shareholders
  • All directors and shareholders of the corporation must be currently registered in good standing with CDHO in the General or Specialty Class
  • All the issued and outstanding shares of the corporation must be legally and beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by RDHs who are currently registered in good standing with CDHO in the General or Specialty Class
  • All officers and directors of the corporation must be shareholders of the corporation
• Articles of Incorporation
  • The articles of incorporation must state that the corporation cannot carry on a business other than the practise of Dental Hygiene and activities related to or ancillary to Dental Hygiene
• Corporation Name
  • The name of the corporation must comply with section 3.2 of the Business Corporations Act as follows:
    • The name cannot be a number
    • The name must include the words “Professional Corporation” or “société professionnelle”
    • The name must include the surname of one or more of the shareholders as it appears on Find a Registered Dental Hygienist. The name may also include one or more shareholder’s given name(s) or initials
    • The name must include the profession being practised by the corporation (i.e., Dental Hygiene)
    • The name cannot already be in use by another corporation. You can check this through the corporate name-checking service NUANS.

Step 3 — Apply for a Certificate of Authorization

You can apply for a Certificate of Authorization through the Self-Service Portal.

As part of the application, you will be required to submit the following documents:

• A copy of the Ontario Certificate of Incorporation, including the articles of incorporation
• A copy of any other Certificate of Incorporation for the corporation that has been endorsed under the Business Corporations Act as of the date of the application (if applicable)
• A copy of the Corporation Profile Report issued by the Ontario Government (or one of the private-sector service providers under contract to the government) dated not more than 30 days before the application is submitted
  • The Corporation Profile Report must show that the corporation is active
• A signed declaration by the director applying on behalf of the corporation dated not more than 15 days before the application is submitted

The application fee for a Certificate of Authorization is non-refundable and can be paid online by credit card. The application fee is found in CDHO’s fee schedule.

CDHO aims to process all applications within 10 business days of receipt of all required information and documentation. Learn more about timelines.

You cannot practice through your health professional corporation until a Certificate of Authorization is issued by CDHO.

Step 4 — Maintaining your Incorporation

Annual Renewal

If you wish to continue practising through your health professional corporation, please renew your Certificate of Authorization annually by March 1^st through the Self-Service Portal. Renewal fees are found in CDHO’s fee schedule.

As part of the renewal, you will be required to submit the following documents:

• A copy of the Corporation Profile Report dated not more than 30 days before the renewal application is submitted
  • The Corporation Profile Report must show that the corporation is active
• A signed declaration by the director renewing on behalf of the corporation dated not more than 15 days before the renewal application is submitted
• A copy of any amended Certificates of Incorporation, including the articles of incorporation, if applicable

Notice of Changes

Please notify CDHO of any changes to your health professional corporation within 10 days, including the following:

• Changes to the name, address, or contact information of the corporation
• Changes to the directors or shareholders of the corporation
• Changes to the articles of incorporation
• Changes to the status of the corporation or dissolution of the corporation

Please also include supporting documentation (e.g., amended articles of incorporation, updated Corporation Profile Report) when notifying CDHO of the change.