Maple News reports that British Columbia’s International Credentials Recognition Act will officially come into effect on July 1, bringing major reforms to how foreign qualifications are assessed in the province. The new legislation is designed to streamline the process for skilled immigrants to have their credentials recognized—reducing bureaucratic delays and eliminating some key barriers they’ve traditionally faced.
The Act affects 29 regulated professions, including engineers, teachers, healthcare workers, and accountants. Among its most significant changes are the removal of mandatory Canadian work experience for most professions and the elimination of redundant language testing, provided candidates have already submitted valid test scores.
The legislation also removes additional fees that were previously charged to internationally trained applicants, making credential recognition more accessible and efficient for newcomers. These changes aim to improve labour market integration for immigrants and address the province’s ongoing labour shortages.
The province collaborated with 18 regulatory bodies to shape the Act, which was passed by the Legislative Assembly in November 2023. The regulated occupations under this reform range from professional engineers and lawyers to early childhood educators and paramedics.
Although the Act takes effect on July 1, 2024, a transition period is included regarding the Canadian work experience requirement. The full prohibition on requiring Canadian work experience will only be enforced starting July 1, 2025. Between now and then, B.C.’s Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills is working closely with regulatory authorities to identify and phase out any work experience mandates that don’t align with the new rules.
Exemptions may still apply where a regulator can demonstrate that Canadian work experience is essential for safety, public interest, or unique contextual understanding. In such cases, regulators must secure approval from the superintendent of international credential recognition.
For language testing, the law simplifies the process by recognizing previously submitted, valid English-language proficiency scores. This move prevents unnecessary duplication and costs for skilled applicants who have already demonstrated their English abilities.
Overall, the International Credentials Recognition Act aims to create a more inclusive and responsive certification pathway for internationally trained professionals, helping them enter the workforce more swiftly and contribute meaningfully to B.C.’s economy.
Maple News will continue to follow the implementation of this Act and its impact on skilled immigrants and the broader labour market across British Columbia.