International Credentials Recognition Act!
Hi all,
British Columbia is making some changes that will impact international professional credential recognition.
Their aim is to reduce barriers (such as wait times) for internationally trained professionals seeking jobs. They are looking to have this implemented by Summer 2024.
The international nursing issues being highlighted and changed recently has seemed to to have opened up a whole can of worms in the best way possible. Allowing processing to be more streamlined for other internationally educated professionals to get licensed here in Canada. I’m sure you know someone how has been stuck working a job outside of their profession because it is so challenging to get licensed in Canada — share this news with them!
The governments purpose of implementing the ‘International Credentials Recognition Act’
Enhance fairness by;
removing unfair Canadian work experience requirements
no longer requiring applicants to submit new English tests if their previous one was valid
Increase efficiency by;
Quickly providing applicants with information about their professional certification
Shortening wait times by setting maximum processing times
Ensuring transparency by;
Ensuring regulator publish information about their credential assessment processes online, so applicants can understand how to get certified.
Require accountability
ensured through new reporting requirements and enforcement authorities.
The new legislation will cover 18 regulatory authorities:
Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC
Architectural Institute of BC
Association of BC Forest Professionals
Association of BC Land Surveyors
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC
BC College of Social Workers
BC Institute of Agrologists
BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association
BC Society of Landscape Architects
College of Applied Biologists
College of Veterinarians of BC
Director of teacher certification (and BC Teachers’ Council)
Director of the Early Childhood Educator Registry
Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board
Law Society of BC
Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants of BC
Society of Notaries Public of BC
Superintendent of Real Estate (and BC Financial Services Authority)
All information has been adapted from website outlining the recent news and proposals (October 2023) by the BC government; https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/post-secondary-education/international-credentials
