2.14 Alternative Credential Evaluation

Date Approved: 2006

Date Effective: 2006

Date Revised: December 10, 2019

Scope

This policy applies to internationally-educated physiotherapists applying to CAPR’s credentialling process.

Principles

This policy has been designed in accordance with the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications principles of fairness, transparency, timeliness, and consistency, and in consideration of the minimum required standards of
physiotherapy programs offered in Canada. This policy is also informed by the Recommendation on the Recognition of Qualifications Held by Refugees, Displaced Persons and Persons in a Refugee-like Situation from the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region.

Definitions

“Alternative credential evaluation” is a process of providing options to submit alternative documentation or alternative proof to meet the standard credential assessment criteria, in situations where an applicant is unable to submit the regularly required documentation. An alternative credential evaluation process does not give applicants alternate criteria to meet nor will it exempt them from any of the standard assessment criteria.

The alternative credential evaluation process is not faster or easier than the standard credential evaluation process. The standard process is the simplest and fastest assessment route for applicants.

“Officially issued document” is, for the purpose of an alternative credential evaluation, an original or copy of a document(s) that provides evidence that the applicant obtained a physiotherapy credential that meets CAPR credentialling standards. Acceptable officially issued documents are:
• Diploma, degree or certificate
• Academic records (transcripts/mark sheets/grade lists/records)
• Professional Licence / Certificate
• Clinical Internship Certificate
• Other officially issued documents (i.e. letter of appointment, student ID card, etc.)

Purpose

In some exceptional cases, there may be instances where a credentialling applicant is unable to submit some or all of the required documents for valid reasons that are beyond the applicant’s control. The purpose of this policy is to provide alternative credential evaluation options to those internationally-educated physiotherapists who are unable to provide the standard documentation required to complete CAPR’s credential assessment process.

Policy

Internationally-educated physiotherapists who are unable to provide some or all of the required credential assessment documents for valid and substantiated reasons beyond their control may be eligible for an alternative credential evaluation.

Valid reasons may include, but are not limited to:
• Refugees who are unable to contact their institution due to fear of persecution for themselves or their family;
• Applicants whose institutions have closed and can no longer submit the required documentation; or
• Applicants whose institutions have destroyed their records.

Valid reasons for an alternative credential evaluation are not limited to the above examples. Other circumstances shall be considered by CAPR on a case-by-case basis. Financial cost of obtaining the required documentation is not an acceptable reason.

As part of the application for an alternative credential evaluation, the applicant is required to submit a description of the circumstances that prevent the applicant from providing standard documents. The applicant must also describe what steps have been taken to obtain the necessary documents.

CAPR shall independently confirm that there is evidence for the submitted rationale. If the application for alternative credential evaluation is accepted, CAPR will assist the applicant in building a portfolio. CAPR requires at least one officially issued document in order to proceed with an alternative credential evaluation. The portfolio will be sent to an educational
assessment agency. A CAPR determination will be made utilizing the findings from the educational assessment agency.