Internationally-Educated Speech-Language Pathology Graduates Applying For RSLP
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The CSHBC Bylaws were updated on October 23, 2023. CSHBC is in the process of updating the College’s policies and web content in line with these changes, therefore some of the information below may not completely reflect the updated Bylaws. Please contact CSHBC at [email protected] for any questions in this regard. Thank you for your patience.
Internationally-Educated Speech-Language Pathology Graduates Applying For RSLP
- Introduction
- 1. Official transcripts
- 2. Credential assessment
- 3. Academic course outline or syllabus
- 4. Academic coursework requirements
- 5. Clinical practicum hours
- 6. Recency of practice/practice competency
- 7. English language proficiency
- 8. Reference letters
- 9. Verification of Registration from other regulators
- 10. Proof of eligibility to work in Canada
- 11. Criminal record check
- 12. Professional liability insurance
- 13. Entry-to-practice examination
- 14. Application & criminal record check fees
- 15. Registration fee
- 16. Timeline
Introduction
Internationally-Educated Applicants to become RSLPs in BC who have met CSHBC’s entry-to-practice requirements are granted Full registration after passing the entry-to-practice examination, or Conditional registration if they have not yet passed that examination. To complete your Full or Conditional registration application for entry-level practice in speech-language pathology, have the documents listed below ready, and apply through the Applicant Portal, which provides step-by-step instructions.
1. Official transcripts
After your master’s degree has been conferred (i.e., awarded), arrange to have your official master’s (and/or undergraduate, if required) program transcripts sent directly from the university to CSHBC, either by email to [email protected] or by mail to CSHBC.
Important: your official transcripts must indicate “Awarded” or “Conferred”. Unofficial or administrative transcripts that do not indicate “Awarded” or “Conferred” cannot be accepted.
2. Credential assessment
Arrange for World Educational Services (WES) to assess your master’s (and/or undergraduate, if required) program transcripts. A basic assessment is acceptable.
3. Academic course outline or syllabus
Upload your university course outline or syllabus, with the conversion rate from credits to hours, including a record of clinical hours, in the Applicant Portal.
4. Academic coursework requirements
Upload a completed Academic Coursework Requirements Speech-Language Pathology Program form (PDF) to the Applicant Portal.
The Registration Committee will review your Academic Coursework Requirements form, course information, and syllabi against the academic coursework requirements defined in Schedule D of the CSHBC Bylaws.
5. Clinical practicum hours
Upload a completed Summary of Clinical Practicum Hours (Speech-Language Pathology Program) form (PDF) to document proof of clinical hours (minimum of 350 hours).
The form requires sign-off from the Director of the program in which the clinical hours were completed.
Arrange for your academic institution to email the completed and signed form directly to [email protected] or by mail to CSHBC.
The Registration Committee will review your Summary of Clinical Practicum Hours form, and any additional relevant information provided with respect to your program, against the clinical practicum requirements defined in Schedule D of the CSHBC Bylaws.
6. Recency of practice/practice competency
Applicants must provide evidence of meeting the “recency of practice” requirement for registration as a RSLP – i.e., that you have graduated from your speech-language pathology program within the last three (3) years, or that you have practised speech-language pathology for a minimum of 750 hours in a regulated jurisdiction – by emailing a completed Confirmation of Practice Hours form (PDF) to [email protected].
Substantially equivalent recency of practice/practice competency
If, in the three (3) years immediately preceding the date you submit your application for registration, you have not graduated from a CSHBC-recognized academic program or practised a minimum of 750 regulated hours in a regulated jurisdiction, but otherwise meet the requirements of registration, you will need to email a completed Application for Registration: Substantially Equivalent Practice Competency form (PDF) to the CSHBC Registration Committee at [email protected]. The Committee will review your application to determine whether your knowledge, skills, and abilities meet CSHBC’s recency of practice/practice competency requirements for registration under substantial equivalency.
7. English language proficiency
If you completed an acceptable academic program, as defined in Schedule D of the CSHBC Bylaws, that was delivered in English (including all academic learning and clinical practice), you will be exempted from completing English language proficiency testing. If you are not exempted, you must complete a TOEFL (iBT), IELTS (AC or GT), or OET (Speech-Language Pathology only) English test and meet the following minimum test scores:
Language | English | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Test | TOEFL internet Based Test (iBT), or the TOEFL iBT Home Edition | IELTS (Academic or General), or IELTS Online (Academic) | Occupational English Test (OET) (Speech Pathology version), Paper-based Only |
Required minimum scores | Speaking: 26 Listening: 26 Reading: 22 Writing: 24 | Speaking: 7.5 Listening: 8 Reading: 7.5 Writing: 7.5 | Speaking: B (395) Listening: A (450) Reading: B (395) Writing: B (395) |
Arrange to have your English language proficiency scores sent directly to CSHBC. Successful completion of one of the approved tests must be no more than two years before the date of application to CSHBC.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements outlined above will be required to successfully meet the minimum standards before the application for registration can be submitted to the Registration Committee.
For more information, review the English Language Proficiency Requirements policy (PDF).
8. Reference letters
Applicants must provide two (2) character references from individuals who have known you for at least two years, and who are not family members, classmates, or friends, or stand to benefit from your application, and who can attest to your values, morals, and conduct. These references must be dated within 60 days of your application to CSHBC.
Log in to the Applicant Portal and provide the required information about your references, including an email address for each. Each of your references must submit a letter of reference directly to CSHBC by email to [email protected] or by mail to CSHBC, and it must contain that individual’s contact information.
9. Verification of Registration from other regulators
If you are, or have been, regulated as a health professional by any other regulatory body, you must provide a letter or certificate dated within 60 days of the date of your application from each relevant regulatory body (a “Verification of Registration”). This must specify details of any cancellation, suspension, limitation, or conditions on your entitlement to practise, and any investigation, review, or proceeding that could lead to one of these outcomes. Verifications of Registration may be sent to the College by email to [email protected], if they come directly from an authorized individual at the regulatory body in question.
10. Proof of eligibility to work in Canada
Upload a copy of one of the following documents in the Applicant Portal:
- Canadian passport (photo and signature page)
- Canadian citizenship certificate or card (front and back)
- Canadian birth certificate
- Government-issued work permit or work visa, provided this permits work in your intended profession
- A study or co-op visa, provided this permits work in your intended profession
- Permanent Resident card (front and back)
11. Criminal record check
Under BC’s Criminal Records Review Act, all RSLPs must complete a criminal record check when they first become registered with the College and every five years thereafter.
Download the Consent to Criminal Record Check form (PDF) (also available for download in the Applicant Portal), fill out the form, sign it, and upload the completed and verified form in the Applicant Portal. CSHBC will then communicate the required information to the BC Government’s Criminal Records Review Program to ensure that your check is carried out.
Also upload a copy of two of the following documents in the Applicant Portal:
- BC Driver’s Licence or learner’s licence (must have your photo)
- BCID
- BC Services Card (must have your photo)
- Canadian birth certificate
- Passport (photo and signature page)
- Canadian citizenship certificate or card (front and back)
- Permanent Resident card (front and back)
See Criminal Record Check for Applicants for more information.
12. Professional liability insurance
As part of your online application form, you will need to complete the following declaration:
I understand that pursuant to section 151 of the CSHBC Bylaws, as a registrant of CSHBC, I must at all times maintain insurance that (i) is in the amount of at least $2,000,000 per claim and in a form satisfactory to the Board, and (ii) covers me and any non-registrant to whom I delegate an aspect of practice, against liability arising from an error, omission, or negligent act that occurs in the practice of my profession. (YES/NO)
You will also need to declare whether your professional liability insurance is covered by your employer, whether you have obtained your own professional liability insurance, or whether you do not currently have the required insurance. If you do not have the required insurance at the time of submitting your application, you may provide updated information about your insurance at a future time. Note that no application may be approved without confirmation that the required insurance is in place.
Employers such as health authorities, school districts, and other government agencies typically have insurance in place for their employees that meets CSHBC’s requirements. You must check the details of any insurance provided by your employer and confirm that it meets these requirements. If it does not, you must obtain your own professional liability insurance. Note that CSHBC does not provide insurance advice or recommend insurers to applicants or registrants; this is outside of the scope of the College’s role as a regulatory body.
13. Entry-to-practice examination
Proof of passing an entry-to-practice examination approved by the Registration Committee is required before CSHBC can grant Full registration. The examinations currently approved by CSHBC for registration as a RSLP are:
- The Praxis Examination for speech-language pathology (Praxis exam 5331), administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS);
- The Canadian Entry-to-Practice (CETP) Examination for speech-language pathology, administered by Speech-language & Audiology Canada (SAC); and
- The SAC Certification Examination for speech-language pathology. The SAC Exams were retired in March 2020; however, CSHBC will accept results from past sittings.
You must arrange for the examination administrator to send your proof of passing directly to CSHBC. Alternatively, you may have another regulatory body for speech and hearing health professionals send CSHBC your examination result, as long as that regulatory body received these results directly from the examination administrator.
If you do not have proof of passing one of the above-mentioned examinations, you must apply for the RSLP (Conditional) registration classification and practice under general supervision until you have passed an approved examination. Applicants for Conditional registration classification must secure a practice supervisor, who must be a Full CSHBC registrant of the same profession. You will be asked to provide your supervisor’s registrant details as part of the online application process in the Applicant Portal.
For further information regarding current examination requirements, including how to register for the Praxis Exams, please review the Entry-to-Practice Examination Requirements policy (PDF), and the following CSHBC news stories on entry-to-practice exams:
14. Application & criminal record check fees
The following non-refundable fees are payable at application for registration:
- Application for registration fee (international applicants): $520
- Criminal Record Check fee: $28
Pay by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or debit card (Visa) in the Applicant Portal.
15. Registration fee
Upon approval of your application for registration, the following non-refundable fee is payable:
- Initial registration fee: $950
Pay by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or debit card (Visa) in the Applicant Portal.
If you register part way through the registration year (April 1 – March 31), the registration fee is pro-rated quarterly for the remaining months of the registration year.
16. Timeline
After you have submitted your application, staff will conduct an initial review. The sooner all of your required documentation is received by CSHBC, the sooner the College can process your application. Once your application is complete, it may be considered by a Registration Committee panel. Panels typically meet bi-monthly or quarterly. During the application process, you will be advised when the next Registration Committee panel meeting is scheduled to take place, and the deadline for providing any additional, relevant information that you wish the Committee to consider in support of your application. See Non-standard Applications & Registration Committee Review for more information about the Registration Committee process.
After submitting your application, please do not call or email CSHBC to inquire about the status of your application. The College handles a large volume of applications and processes them as quickly as possible. Responding to calls and emails inquiring about application status slows the process. If, however, you have questions prior to submitting your application that cannot be answered on the website or in the Applicant Portal, please contact CSHBC.
Please note that if you fail to meet the requirements for registration within two (2) years of submitting your application, your application will expire, and you will need to submit a new application should you wish to continue to pursue registration with CSHBC.
College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia
Address:
900 – 200 Granville St
Vancouver, BC, V6C 1S4
Phone: 604.742.6380
Toll-free: 1.888.742.6380
Email: [email protected]