International Credentials Recognition Act

The International Credentials Recognition Act changes the professional certification process in BC.  The Act requires regulators to give consideration and recognition to internationally educated and experienced applicants. 

The Act is designed to remove artificial and systemic barriers while continuing to provide for regulators to determine competency through valid, reliable, competency based evaluation of all candidates. 

One of those barriers is seen to be requirements for Canadian work experience. When a regulator has a work experience requirement, the Act sets out a process in which an regulator may make a formal request to the Superintendent for an exemption to the ban on Canadian work experience. 

The Notary Education Program includes a 6 week mentoring requirements that the Society believes is a critical component for candidates to gain direct experience in delivering legal services to the public to the standards of the Regulator, Courts, FINTRAC, and other statutory bodies. 

On this basis, the SNPBC requested an exemption from the prohibition on Canadian work experience. The Superintendent considered the request and has granted an exemption to the SNPBC. 

Click here to read the full decision of the Superintendent – Society of Notaries Public BC Exemption Decision.

The ICRA requires that notice of the exemption decision be published to the SNPBC website.