Internationally Educated Health Care Professional

Application Process

  • Read Notification – Internationally Educated Nurse Applicants
  • Inspire Global Assessments/Inspire Évaluations Mondiales (Inspire Global Assessments), formerly known as the Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS) is the first stop for IENs.
  • IENs must apply to Inspire Global Assessments first to meet requirements for referral to a competency assessment (e.g., either the Triple Track assessment or the HCA Single Track Assessment).
  • Please note that Inspire Global Assessments accepts only IELTS Academic & CELBAN English Proficiency Tests.
  • Internationally Educated HCAs (or equivalent) apply only to the Registry.

Step 1 - Submit Online Application

The Registry will review your application to ensure it is complete. Additional documentation may be requested.  Below are the required documents for your initial online application:

A) Proof of training from your Educational Institution(s)

As an internationally trained health care professional, you will need to provide information about your health care education and training, and supply the following accepted documents:

  • Certificate / Diploma / Degree
  • Official Transcript

B) English Language Skills 

You will need to supply evidence of English language proficiency to prove you can listen, speak, read and write in English. If your first language is not English, you will need to upload evidence of an official English Language proficiency test. Additional information about IEHCP accepted language proficiency tests and test scores can be found here – English Language Proficiency Test Information Sheet (PDF). If English is your first language, you may be considered for an exemption to the Language Proficiency Test.  For speakers of English as a first language only, please review, complete and upload a Language Proficiency Test Exemption Form.

C) International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) Basic Evaluation Report (or equivalent)

You will need to upload a copy of your ICES basic evaluation report, or a report from an equivalent credential evaluation body*. 

How to obtain an ICES evaluation (BC Institute of Technology website)

*Accepted credential equivalents include a National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) credential assessment, a World Education Services (WES) Employment Evaluation or an International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) Basic Assessment.

D) Change of Name – Official Documentation (If applicable)

If the name on your documents does not match the name on your application, please upload official proof of your name change: 

  • Marriage Certificate
  • ​Certificate of Name Change

How to apply for a legal change of name  (British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency website)

Step 2 - HCA Competency Assessment

The Registry refers qualified Internationally Educated Health Care Professionals (who are not IENs) to the HCA Competency Assessment.


i) Within 10 business days, the Registry will contact you regarding your application.

ii) Qualified applicants will be provided with an HCA Competency Assessment Referral Consent Form to complete, sign and return to the Registry.

iii) After you send the Referral Consent Form back to the Registry, we will provide your contact information to Inspire Global Assessments/Inspire Évaluations Mondiales (Inspire Global Assessments), formerly known as the Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS). Inspire Global Assessments will email you instructions on next steps (such as scheduling and payment of fees) in approximately 15 business days. For further information, visit their website: www.inspireassessments.org

iv) After you take the HCA assessment, Inspire Global Assessments will send your Performance Report to you within 60 days. After a 15-day reconsideration period, Inspire Global Assessments releases your Report to the Registry. For the Registry to get your report sooner, you have the option of waiving the 15-day reconsideration period.

vii) After the Registry receives your Performance Report from Inspire Global Assessments, the Registry will review it and contact you within 15 business days. Depending on your results, you may be required to complete remedial education to address undemonstrated competencies prior to registration. If there are no undemonstrated competencies on your report, you will be directly registered.

Apply as an Internationally Educated Health Care Professional

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