How to Check a Temp Agency Licence in Ontario Before You Hire or Apply

In Ontario, temporary help agencies and recruiters must hold a licence from the Ministry of Labour, and you can check whether an agency has one before you work with it or hire through it. The Ministry publishes a list of licensed agencies on ontario.ca. A licence is not the only thing to check, but an agency that cannot show one is a clear warning sign.

This guide explains why the licence matters, how to check an agency, what else to look at and what to do if something does not add up. It is general information, not legal advice, and the rules can change, so confirm the current requirements on ontario.ca.

Why does an agency licence matter?

The licence is the province’s way of making agencies follow the Employment Standards Act. Licensed agencies have to meet requirements about how they treat workers, including the ban on charging workers fees. If you are a worker, it is some protection against scams. If you are a business, it lowers the chance that you end up working with an operator who does not pay workers properly.

How to check an agency

1. Ask for the licence details. A licensed agency should be able to tell you its licence status on request.
2. Look it up on ontario.ca. Search for the Ministry of Labour’s list of licensed temporary help agencies and recruiters, then match the legal business name, not just the trade name.
3. Match the business to the person. The name on the licence, the name on your contract and the name on your pay stub or invoice should line up.
4. Check the address and contact details. A real office, a working phone line and an email on the agency’s own domain are basic signs of a real business.

What else to check besides the licence

• Workplace insurance. Ask for proof that the agency’s WSIB account is in good standing. See who pays WSIB, vacation and holiday pay for temp workers.
• Written terms. Rates, hours, who pays whom and how replacements work should be in writing.
• References or reviews. Ask for a client reference, or read independent reviews.
• How it treats workers. Pay on time, no fees, and clear paperwork. Workers can read their rights as an agency worker.

Warning signs for job seekers

• The agency asks you to pay a registration, processing or training fee to get work
• It will not tell you the name of the employer or the pay rate
• It communicates only through a chat app and has no office
• It promises a job in return for money, or offers a work permit or a job offer letter for a fee

Read do temp agencies charge workers a fee in Ontario for what to do if someone asks you to pay.

Warning signs for businesses

• An unusually low bill rate that cannot cover wages, payroll costs and WSIB. See how much staffing agencies charge employers.
• No written agreement, or a refusal to put replacement terms in writing
• Workers who say they were paid late, short or in cash
• No clear answer on who is the employer of record

What to do if an agency has no licence

If you are a worker, do not pay anything, keep your messages and consider reporting it to the Ministry of Labour. If you are a business, do not sign until the agency can show proof, and check the current ontario.ca guidance on using licensed providers.

Common questions

Is a recruiter different from a temp agency?

Yes. A temp agency employs workers and assigns them to clients. A recruiter finds candidates for a client to hire directly. See what is a temp agency for the difference. Ontario licenses both.

Can I work for an unlicensed agency?

You can, but you lose the protection of the licensing rules and it is a red flag. Ask the agency why it has no licence before you accept work.

Does a licence mean an agency is good?

No. It is a minimum standard. Look at pay practices, references and written terms as well.

Where do I report a problem?

Start with the Ministry of Labour’s Employment Standards information on ontario.ca.

Choosing an agency for your business? See our temp-to-hire and permanent staffing page, or ask us your questions.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check ontario.ca for current rules.