Health Care Assistant – Access

Evidence of both of the following must be provided prior to acceptance:

1. Proof of Grade 12 completion (or equivalent) OR mature student status (19 years or more) AND successful completion of the Prior Learning/ Competency Assessment by NCAS to determine eligibility for the program.
2. Proof of meeting English Language Competency Requirements. These language competency requirements are provided at cachwr.bc.ca website.

• For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English*: English 10 completion or equivalent

• For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English*: Standardized English language proficiency test score

*Defined as three (3) years of full-time secondary and/or post-secondary education at a recognized institution on the list of Approved English-Speaking Countries. Secondary education will be considered starting from grade 8. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses will not be considered.

• For international students: A clear police certificate from country of origin must also be provided by the student as a program entry requirement.

English Language Competency Requirements:

1. Applicants who provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English must also provide proof of one of the following:
   • Completion of Grade 10 English (or higher). A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
   • Completion of college courses determined to be equivalent to Grade 10 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions. A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
   • ACCUPLACER Next Generation Test Results: Reading 230, Writing 230 and Writeplacer 4
2. Applicants who cannot provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English are required to provide proof of one of the following standardized proficiency tests from an authorized assessment agency.
   • Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT) or CLBPT Remote. Test in the last year. Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6 and Writing 6.
   • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General or CELPIP Online). Test in the last two years. Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6 and Writing 6.
   • International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic, IELTS General or IELTS Academic Online). Test in the last two years. Overall score of 6 with a minimum of 6 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 5.5 in Reading and Writing.
   • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online). Test in the last two years. Overall Score of 60, with no section less than 50.
   • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition). Test in the last two years. Overall score of 76 with no score lower than 20 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 18 in Reading and Writing.
     Notes: In cases where applicants already hold Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for nurses (CELBAN) results. Test in the last 2 years. Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 6, Writing 6.

     In addition to the tests and test scores listed above (#2), recognized BC HCA Programs also have the discretion to accept HCA program applicants with a CLB Report Card from a LINC Program indicating “Completing” CLB Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7 and Writing 7 AND “Recommended Class Placement” as Speaking 8, Listening 8, Reading 8 and Writing.

3. A health declaration completed by the applicant confirming they understand the role of the HCA and are prepared to learn and practice HCA skills and competencies. The declaration may also be used to identify any learning needs of the applicant (completed by the applicant prior to acceptance)