Internationally Educated Physiotherapist (IEPT) Credential Assessment and Education Bursary Program
On July 19, 2022, the Province of British Columbia announced $4.5M in bursary funding to support high priority internationally educated allied health professionals (IEAHPs) that want to work in B.C.’s healthcare system. This program is administered by Health Match BC (HMBC) and is designed to retain allied health professionals in the public sector. HMBC acts in an advisory capacity to support IEAHPs throughout their journey to practice in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada.
A bursary of up to $18,931 CAD is available to assist internationally educated physiotherapists (IEPTs) with the costs associated with becoming licensed to work in B.C. HMBC, in partnership with the B.C. Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR), will support eligible IEPTs who want to work in BC by offering financial support to help pay for costs associated with credential assessment, English language proficiency testing, exam preparation, and eligible supplemental education.
IEPT Bursary Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this bursary, internationally educated physiotherapists (IEPTs) must meet all of the following criteria:
- The applicant provides a copy of their English-translated Passport as a supporting identification document. This document must contain a photo, full legal name, date of birth, and signature.
- The applicant provides proof of completion of a university-level degree in physiotherapy from a country other than Canada.
- The applicant has initiated or will be initiating the Educational Credential and Qualifications Assessment with the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR).
- The applicant declares and signs a Return of Service (ROS) Agreement indicating they intend to complete the full credentialling and licensure process.
- This includes completion of the CAPR Educational Credential and Qualifications Assessment, taking supplementary education (optional), obtaining full licensure with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC), and working with a Qualifying Employer in B.C.’s public healthcare sector for one year (if employment is over 0.5 FTE), or two years (if employment is 0.5 FTE or less).
- The applicant has a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Please note a SIN is not required to register for the bursary. If you are not currently residing in Canada and are eligible for the bursaries, you will be reimbursed once you obtain your SIN, a Canadian address and phone number, and Canadian bank account information for direct deposit as it is necessary for any reimbursements.
- The applicant must not currently hold (or have previously held) full licensure as a physiotherapist in any province or territory in Canada.
Note: To ensure fair distribution of resources, if an applicant possesses qualifications in more than one profession that is eligible under the Internationally Educated Nurse Bursary Program and/or Internationally Educated Allied Health Bursary Program, the applicant must proceed with an application for only one profession (i.e., eligible for one funding stream only). Please contact your recruitment consultant for additional information, as multiple applications may result in funding being denied or returned to the Province.
What is the process for Internationally Educated Physiotherapists?
In B.C., physiotherapists, also called physical therapists (PTs), must be licensed with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC) in order to practice as a physiotherapist. For IEPTs, the process begins through Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR), the national credentialing body. To become licensed in B.C., IEPTs must first apply for the CAPR Educational Credential and Qualifications Assessment. Learn more about CAPR’s assessment process.
IEPTs whose education has been deemed by CAPR to be “not substantially different” from the education of a Canadian-trained PT are eligible to register for the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE). Learn more about the PCE: Physiotherapy Competency Examination.
After successful PCE completion, IEPTs are eligible to register for the clinical qualifying exam, currently offered at the provincial level. In B.C., the clinical exam is known as the Alternate Clinical Evaluation (ACE-BC), and it is administered by the University of British Columbia (UBC). Learn more about the ACE-BC Exam: Alternative Clinical Evaluation – BC.
After passing the ACE-BC, IEPTs are eligible to apply for full licensure with the CHCPBC. There are several supplementary education programs available to IEPTs in Canada that aim to improve qualifying exam pass rates.
Return of Service
IEPTs must commit to a Return of Service (ROS) agreement with the B.C. Ministry of Health to receive financial support through this program. The ROS agreement states that you intend to complete the full credentialling and licensure process and will work in B.C. with a public sector employer for a specified length of time.
The ROS is an agreement to work in the public health system for one year, if the participant’s employment is over a 0.5 full-time equivalent; or two years, if the participant’s employment is 0.5 full-time equivalent or less.
A publicly funded health sector employer includes a regional health board designated under section 4(1) of the Health Authorities Act, Provincial Health Services Authority, First Nations Health Authority or Providence Health Care; or (b) an employer at a publicly funded long-term care or assisted living facility. Qualifying employers exclude contract agencies supplying temporary and/or short-term staffing solutions to eligible facilities.
Note: Once eligibility has been confirmed, HMBC will send a ROS agreement to the applicant which must be signed and returned.
Financial Support (Bursaries)
| Licensure Process Steps Eligible for Bursary Program | Bursary Amount | Requirements for Reimbursement |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) Educational Credential and Qualifications Assessment | $1,486 CAD OR $546 CAD for a re-opened file review | Upon proof of payment provided to HMBC. For applicants who have completed the CAPR assessment, a positive results letter is required to be reimbursed. |
| Completion of the course required by CAPR: “Knowledge of Physiotherapy Practice Within Canada” | Exact amount up to a maximum amount of $525 CAD | Upon proof of payment and course completion and after proof of commencement of the CAPR Education Credential & Qualifications Assessment. |
| English Language Proficiency (ELP) Testing | Up to a maximum amount of $800 CAD | After proof of payment for CAPR assessment. The ELP test bursary is available for up to two (2) attempts of a CAPR-accepted test, whether an applicant is successful or not. Funding is up to $400 CAD per test and is based on official receipts and completion of testing from a recognized English Language Proficiency Test. |
| CAPR Practice Exam for Written Component (WC – Practice Exam) – Optional step | $120 CAD | Reimbursement can occur with proof of payment and positive CAPR results letter provided to HMBC. |
| Physio Refresh Exam Preparation Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) – Optional step | Up to $1,250 CAD (written exam prep program) Up to $1,750 CAD (practical exam prep program) | Reimbursement can occur per program with proof of payment and course completion. |
| Bridging education program – Optional step | Exact to a maximum amount of $12,000 CAD for tuition and related fees of an eligible program. | Reimbursement can occur with proof of payment and program completion provided to HMBC, and upon commencement of the ROS with a Qualifying Employer. The applicant must submit the Province’s Return of Service Commencement Form. |
| Travel bursary for in-person components of the Physio Refresh exam preparation program (practical program) or eligible bridging program. | Up to a $1,000 CAD travel subsidy to assist with travel costs for out-of-town applicants. | Reimbursement can occur with proof of payment and eligible program completion provided to HMBC, proof of address, and upon commencement of the ROS with a Qualifying Employer. The applicant must submit the Province’s Return of Service Commencement Form. |
| Maximum Possible Bursary Amount: | $11,129 CAD + applicable tax |
Note: Travel subsidies are calculated using estimated ferry costs and fuel consumption based on distanced travel from an applicant’s primary residence in BC
Documents Required
To be eligible for the Internationally Educated Physiotherapists (IEPT) Bursary through HMBC, applicants must:
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