Getting referred
The NCAS process starts with a referral from one of our community stakeholders listed below (NOTE: to be assessed for more than one health care role, applicants must receive a referral from both regulatory organizations):
Your referral must come to NCAS directly from the regulatory organization or registry listed above. NCAS does not accept referrals from candidates themselves. Each organization has unique requirements you must fulfil in order to receive the referral to NCAS. For instance, you may be asked to submit an Academic Credential Assessment report from a registered credential assessment agency like the National Nursing Assessment Service. Please visit the appropriate regulatory organization or registry to learn about what you need to do to get referred to NCAS.
Applying for assessments for more than one nursing role (dual-role)
Before applying to complete the NCAS assessment process, it’s important to consider whether you want to be assessed for more than one nursing role. Applying for a dual-role assessment at the beginning may save you time in the long run. Here’s how it works.
-
Registered Nurses who are not sure they will meet the competency requirements in their field, can choose to have an evaluation that also assesses the extent to which they meet the competency requirements to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
-
Licensed Practical Nurses who are not sure they will meet the competency requirements in their field, can choose to have an evaluation that also assesses the extent to which they meet the competency requirements to practice as a HealthCare Aide.
Note: Trained LPNs cannot ask to be assessed in the role of an RN unless they have met the RN educational requirements set out by the regulatory college; similarly, trained HCAs cannot ask to be assessed in the role of an LPN. Currently, NCAS does not offer a dual-role SLA for RPNs wishing to be considered for another role. Thus RPNs interested in being considered for another role must be referred by both regulatory organizations, write a CBA for each profession, and take the SLA for both professions.
In all instances, an applicant must be referred by the appropriate regulatory organization or registry. Those applying for the dual-role assessment will thus require two referrals, and will need to meet the specific requirements set by each college to obtain the referral.
How does the dual-role assessment work?
| a. | RN/LPN dual role assessment: An RN candidate applying for an assessment as an RN and as an LPN must take two Computer-based Assessment (CBA) – one specific to each role. Applicants for dual-role assessments must pay for each CBA separately. But they will take and pay for only one Simulation Lab Assessment (SLA) and Oral Assessment. That is because the SLA is designed to capture competencies the candidate demonstrates in both types of health care roles. If you’ve signed up for the dual-role assessment, NCAS will send results specific to the RN role to the College of Registered Nurses of BC, and will send results relevant to the LPN role to the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC. The fee for the dual-role SLA is the same as the fee for the single-role SLA. |
b. | LPN/HCA dual-role assessment: An LPN candidate applying for an assessment as an LPN and as an HCA must take two Computer-based Assessments – one specific to each role. Separate fees apply. But the candidate will take only one Simulation Lab Assessment and Oral Assessment. That’s because the SLA is designed to capture competencies the candidate demonstrates in both types of health care roles. NCAS will send results relevant to the LPN role to the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC, and results relevant to the Healthcare Aide role to the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry. |
Canadidates for dual-role assessments must pay for each CBA separately. The fee for the dual-role SLA/OA is the same as the fee for the single-role SLA/OA.
What happens after the referral?
Once we've received a referral directly from the regulatory organization or registry, we will send you an email confirming your referral. Click here to learn How it Works.
