Everything You Need to Know About British Columbia's International Credentials Recognition Act

July 17, 2024

Shireen Fisher

British Columbia (BC) is rolling out the welcome mat for internationally trained professionals with the implementation of the International Credentials Recognition Act (ICRA). This groundbreaking legislation aims to streamline the process for qualified individuals to get their foreign credentials recognized and start working in their chosen fields within the province.

For many immigrants with valuable skills and experience, navigating the credential recognition process in Canada has historically been a frustrating experience. Burdensome requirements, lengthy wait times, and unnecessary barriers often prevented newcomers from using their expertise. The ICRA seeks to address these issues and unlock the potential of a vast pool of talent to benefit BC's economy.

British Columbia's Efforts For Improving Professional Regulators' Governance Practices

British Columbia is tackling its skilled labor shortage by reforming professional regulations. The province established superintendent offices to oversee different sectors and ensure fair, efficient licensing processes.

Recent legislative highlights include the Professional Governance Act (2021) for natural resources and construction, the Health Professions and Occupations Act (2022) for healthcare, and the Skilled Trades BC Act (2022).

Additionally, the Health Human Resources Strategy (2022) focuses on attracting and retaining healthcare professionals, while the StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan (2023) helps bridge the skills gap by supporting training and business needs.

This multi-pronged approach emphasizes modernizing regulations, workforce development, and attracting international talent – all aimed at building a stronger BC economy.

The International Credentials Recognition Act

The ICRA is a groundbreaking piece of legislation implemented by the BC government on July 1, 2024. Its primary goal is to streamline the process for internationally trained professionals to obtain recognition for their credentials from relevant regulatory bodies within the province. This recognition allows them to work in British Columbia legally in their chosen professions and contribute their skills to BC's workforce.

ICRA Timeline

The ICRA unfolds in several key phases:

Legislation Introduced:October 23, 2023
Royal Assent: November 8, 2023
Legislation in Force: July 1, 2024 (Fair Credential Recognition Office Established) Transition Period
Regulations in Effect: January 1, 2025 (Definition of Prohibited Canadian Work Experience and Exemptions)
Canadian Work Experience Prohibition: July 1, 2025 (This eliminates the requirement for Canadian work experience in specific professions)

How Does the ICRA Work?

The ICRA ushers in a new era for internationally trained professionals in British Columbia by introducing several key changes to the credential recognition process. We take a look at each.

Reduced Red Tape

Want to work in British Columbia? With the ICRA, you can say goodbye to excessive paperwork! The ICRA aims to streamline the application process, eliminating unnecessary hurdles that previously discouraged qualified newcomers.

Canadian Experience Removal

This is a game-changer! One of the most significant aspects of the ICRA is removing the requirement for Canadian work experience in designated professions. This eliminates a major barrier for internationally trained individuals who were previously stuck in a catch-22 situation – unable to gain experience without recognized credentials. Note that his elimination goes into effect in July 2025.

Fairer Assessment

The ICRA ensures a level playing field for all applicants by eliminating unfair barriers. This includes removing the requirement for Canadian work experience in designated professions, accepting previously submitted valid English language test results, and establishing fair and consistent application fees for international and domestic applicants.

Timely Decisions

No more waiting in limbo! Regulatory bodies are now mandated to communicate their decisions on credential recognition a lot quicker, significantly reducing processing times and providing applicants with much-needed clarity.

Superintendent of International Credential Recognition

The ICRA establishes a dedicated champion for internationally trained professionals. The Superintendent will oversee the fair recognition of international credentials, address systemic issues that may arise, and ensure regulatory bodies comply with the legislation. This creates a central point of contact and accountability for a smoother credential recognition journey.

Regulatory Bodies Covered by This Act

The ICRA applies to a range of regulatory bodies in BC that govern specific professions. It's crucial to confirm with the relevant regulatory body overseeing your desired profession to determine if they fall under the ICRA's scope.

According to the official BC website, the following 18 regulatory bodies are covered by this Act.

Regulatory Bodies Covered by ICRA
Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC	BC Institute of Agrologists	Superintendent of Real Estate (and BC Financial Services Authority)
Architectural Institute of BC	BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association	Association of BC Forest Professionals
Association of BC Land Surveyors	BC Society of Landscape Architects	Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC
BC College of Social Workers	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

Occupations Under the New legislation

The ICRA streamlines the credential recognition process for internationally trained professionals in 29 specific occupations across various sectors.

Registered music teacher
Early childhood educator
Early childhood educator assistant
Professional teaching certificate holder
Conditional teaching certificate holder
Social worker
Registered clinical social worker
Professional biologist
Applied biology technician
Registered biology technologist
Professional geoscientist
Registered professional forester
Registered forest technologist
Professional agrologist
Technical agrologist
Architect
Professional engineer
Land surveyor
Landscape architect
Applied science technologist
Certified technician
Veterinarian
Lawyer
Notary public
Emergency medical assistant
Associate real estate broker
Managing real estate broker
Real estate representative
Chartered professional accountant

What Are the Key Benefits of the ICRA?

The ICRA offers significant advantages for both internationally trained professionals and the Canadian province of BC.

For Internationally Trained Professionals:

Faster recognition of foreign credentials, leading to quicker employment opportunities.
A more transparent assessment process.
Elimination of unnecessary Canadian work experience requirements (effective July 2025) for specific professions.

For BC:

Access to a wider pool of skilled and experienced professionals to address labor shortages.
Increased economic growth and development through the integration of skilled newcomers.
A more diverse and vibrant workforce.

FAQs

I am Unsure Whether My Foreign Credential Will be Recognized Under the ICRA. What Should I do?

The best course of action is to contact the regulatory body responsible for your profession in this Canadian province of BC. They can assess your specific credentials and advise you on the recognition process under the ICRA. You can also ask a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) to answer any questions you may have.

I Cannot See My Profession Listed Under the ICRA. Are There Any Other Options For me?

While the ICRA applies to a specific set of professions, there may be alternative pathways for recognition depending on your field. Exploring options with the relevant regulatory body or professional association is recommended. The Canadian government also offers resources and programs for internationally trained professionals, such as the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that may consider your skills and experience for immigration purposes.

Which Language Tests are Recognized in Canada?

For English, the accepted language tests are:

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
The Pearson Test of English (PTE)

The accepted language tests For French, are:

Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF)
Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF)