Changes to take effect starting July 1
Internationally educated professionals in British Columbia will soon have an easier time with having their credentials recognized, thanks to new regulations coming into effect next month.
Starting July 1, the International Credentials Recognition Act will require regulatory bodies to simplify processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for 29 professions.
According to Ravi Parmar, Parliamentary Secretary for International Credentials, the act creates “simpler, fairer rules” that facilitate a quicker path to credential recognition for qualified professionals, regardless of their country of training.
“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,” Parmar said in a news release. “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.”
Another key change under the act is the elimination of the requirement for Canadian work experience, which had previously created a catch-22 situation for internationally trained professionals.
The act will also standardize fees for international and domestic applicants, in addition to removing redundant English-language testing requirements.
Furthermore, the act introduces new data collection and reporting requirements to enhance public accountability and transparency, along with enforcement tools to ensure compliance.
Professions affected by the new regulations include engineers, social workers, veterinarians, paramedics, early childhood educators, teachers, biologists, land surveyors, and architects, among others.
The province said it will appoint a superintendent of international credential recognition to oversee the fair recognition of international credentials, address systemic issues, and enforce compliance. This superintendent will also work closely with regulators to implement and monitor the new regulations.
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