New B.C. regulations will streamline international credentialing

VICTORIA — The Government of British Columbia will soon implement a streamlined pathway for recognition of international credentials.

The International Credentials Recognition Act will come into effect on July 1 and will require regulatory bodies to remove barriers in 29 professions to make it easier, more transparent and quicker for qualified professionals to pursue and achieve credential recognition no matter where they were trained, a release said.

Previously an individual needed work experience to work in Canada, but couldn’t work in Canada because of the lack of Canadian work experience, the release said, but the new regulations eliminate Canadian work experience requirements for experienced internationally trained professionals.

Professions affected by the new regulations include engineers, land surveyors and architects along with other fields such as social workers, veterinarians, paramedics, early childhood educators, teachers, biologists.

Regulators are required under the act to charge similar fees for international and domestic applicants, eliminate redundant English-language testing requirements and new data collection, reporting requirements, and enforcement tools will be in place to ensure compliance with the act, the release said.

B.C. will appoint a superintendent of international credential recognition, the release added, who will oversee fair recognition of international credentials, and will address systemic or procedural issues. They will also have the authority under the act to issue orders for compliance and impose administrative penalties as needed.