New B.C. Act To Streamline International Credential Recognition – Effect From July 1
The Government of British Columbia has initiated a new act, the British Columbia International Credential Recognition Act, which will come into effect on July 1, 2024.
This new act will make several considerable changes to how international credentials are assessed in the province and aim to streamline the process for candidates. It impacts explicitly Canada’s work experience requirements, language test requirements for some applicants, and additional fee requirements for international students.
This new act will significantly impact 29 occupations, including engineers, accountants, real estate brokers, healthcare professionals, and others. This Canadian province consulted 18 regulatory bodies to draft this regulation, which was passed by the legislative assembly of British Columbia last November.
The following is the list of occupations impacted under the new act.
- Registered music teacher
- Professional Engineer
- Professional Teaching Certificate Holder
- Land surveyor
- Early childhood educator
- Landscape architect
- Early childhood educator assistant
- Applied science technologist
- Conditional teaching certificate holder
- Certified technician
- Social worker
- Veterinarian
- Registered clinical social worker
- Lawyer
- Professional biologist
- Architect
- Applied biology technician
- Notary public
- Registered biology technologist
- Emergency medical assistants, including paramedics
- Professional geoscientist
- Chartered professional accountant
- Registered professional forester
- Associate real estate broker
- Registered forest technologist
- Managing real estate broker
- Professional agrologist
- Real estate representative
- Technical agrologist
Requirement Of Work Experience
B.C. claims that the Act will expedite the recognition of international credentials by removing superfluous criteria related to Canadian job experience. The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills is collaborating with regulatory authorities to understand Canadian work experience requirements and identify potential prohibitions under new regulations.
The province allows exemptions for Canadian work experience requirements by international credential recognition superintendents, with a one-year transition period between January 1, 2025, and July 1, 2025, defining prohibited Canadian work experience.
Language Proficiency Requirements
Candidates from the selected occupations can no longer provide new English language test results if they have already submitted valid results.
According to the legislation, it implies those foreign-trained applicants who have applicants who have already submitted valid language test results as a part of their application for the certification.
However, the language test will still be required if no determination is made in the international credential assessment process or if five years have passed since the applicant submitted their application to the regulatory authorities.
Additional Changes
This new act also states that foreign applicants are not required to pay more to their regulatory bodies than domestic applicants and that the province will appoint a superintendent for foreign credential recognition. This person will investigate and attempt to resolve procedural problems within the system.
Key Takeaways Of The New BC Act
British Columbia’s New Act to Streamline International Credential Recognition
- The British Columbia International Recognition Act, effective from July 1, 2024, aims to streamline the assessment process for international credentials.
- The act addresses the experience requirements of Canada, language test requirements for some applicants, and additional fee requirements for international students.
- The act impacts 29 occupations, including engineers, accountants, real estate brokers, and healthcare professionals.
- The province has consulted 18 regulatory bodies to draft the regulation, which was passed by the legislative assembly in November.
- The Act removes superfluous criteria related to Canadian job experience to expedite international credential recognition.
- International credential recognition superintendents allow exemptions for Canadian work experience requirements, with a one-year transition period between January 1, 2025, and July 1, 2025.
- Language proficiency requirements for candidates are no longer required if they have already submitted valid results.
- International applicants do not have to pay more to their regulatory bodies than domestic applicants.
For more details about British Columbia and its Provincial Nominee Program, Contact Province Immigration via info@provinceimmigration.com or +91 98961 96762
