Ontario’s auto dealers and salespeople will soon face a new licensing requirement. Beginning April 1, 2026, the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) will introduce a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program—mandatory annual training for dealers. Starting July 1, 2026, both dealers and salespeople must complete the training to renew their licences.
Dealers will train every year, while salespeople will train every two years. Participants must score at least 80 per centto pass. Those who skip the requirement will not be allowed to renew their licences.
“This is a big change,” said Maureen Harquail, OMVIC’s CEO and Registrar. “If you don’t complete your CPD, you can’t renew. I have no discretion.”
The idea came from the 2020–21 Auditor General’s report, which identified gaps in OMVIC’s oversight and consumer protection. In response, the government amended the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act in 2024 to authorize OMVIC to enforce ongoing professional education. The goal is to align the sector with other regulated professions in Ontario.
Dealer associations support the idea but want flexibility. The Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario (MVRO) asked OMVIC to make the program affordable, relevant, and online. OMVIC confirmed that it is consulting with both the MVRO and the Used Car Dealers Association (UCDA) to shape the final version.
The online, modular program will adapt to licence type. Early modules will cover ethics, professionalism, advertising standards, and compliance. Harquail said OMVIC wants the program to support dealers, not penalize them: “This is about raising standards and strengthening public trust.”
Source: Adapted from OMVIC communications and industry reports
