New Regulations Streamline Pathway For International Credentials

Internationally educated professionals will soon have a more streamlined, efficient and transparent process to get their credentials recognized in B.C.

"The Premier gave me the task to get the International Credentials Recognition Act across the finish line, and I'm happy to say we've done it,” said Ravi Parmar, Parliamentary Secretary for International Credentials.

“For too long, skilled professionals from around the world have come to our province hoping for a better life, only to find roadblocks in their way. But now, with these regulations, we're changing that. It means simpler, fairer rules so these professionals can start working in their fields faster, providing the services our communities need.”

The International Credentials Recognition Act will come into effect on July 1st.

The act will require regulatory bodies to reduce red tape and remove barriers in 29 professions and make it easier, more transparent and quicker for those qualified professionals to pursue and achieve credential recognition, no matter where they were trained.

One major change is eliminating the catch-22 of unnecessary Canadian work experience requirements for experienced internationally trained professionals.

The catch-22 was that a person needed work experience to work in Canada but couldn’t work in Canada because of the lack of Canadian work experience.

The professions include engineers, social workers, veterinarians, paramedics, early childhood educators, teachers, biologists, land surveyors, architects and more.

The act will also enhance fairness by requiring regulators under the act to charge similar fees for international and domestic applicants, eliminating redundant English-language testing requirements.

There is also required accountability and transparency to the public through new data collection and reporting requirements, and enforcement tools to ensure compliance with the act.

The Province will be appointing a superintendent of international credential recognition. The superintendent will oversee the fair recognition of international credentials, addressing any systemic or procedural issues.

Additionally, they will have the authority under the act to issue orders for compliance and impose administrative penalties as needed.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.