B.C.'s IEN eligibility checklist
| Before applying and submitting an application for the IEN Pathway: | You are not eligible for the IEN Pathway if any of the following are true: |
|---|---|
✔️ You have completed a nursing education program outside of Canada. You would therefore be considered an internationally educated nurse (IEN) in Canada. | ❌ Your education is in any health-care field other than nursing (for example: Physician, Midwife, Health Care Assistant). |
✔️ You can submit an education credential assessment that shows your nursing program is recognized in Canada. | ❌ Your education program is not recognized in Canada. |
✔️ You can submit proof that you meet English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements.
| ❌ You were educated as a nurse in Canada (if you were, you can apply directly to BCCNM) |
❌ You have ever held registration as an RN in any Canadian province or territory (if you did, then you can apply directly to BCCNM). | |
❌ You cannot submit proof that you meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. | |
❌ If you are not interested in gaining registration as a nurse, and only want to be assessed as an HCA, please apply directly to the BC CACHWR. |
United States nurses
RNs practicing or educated in the United States
If you are an RN currently practicing or educated as a nurse in the United States, and you want to practice in British Columbia, apply directly to the regulator, BCCNM. Do not apply to Inspire.
LPNs from the United States
You must submit an application through Inspire Global Assessments.
Travel to Canada
As part of B.C.’s IEN Pathway, you may be required to come to the city of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada to complete a one-time, in-person competency assessment. The assessment takes one full day to complete, and therefore you would only be required to make a short visit to Canada.
To travel to Canada for this assessment, you may be required to obtain a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). If you are unsure whether you require a visa or an eTA to travel to Canada, visit the Government of Canada’s website.
We recommend that you only submit an application if you are confident in your ability to secure the necessary travel documentation. The IEN Pathway process has many costs associated with it, and these will not be refunded if you are not able to secure any needed legal travel documentation.
Important Notes:
- Inspire cannot provide Letters of Invitation.
- Inspire does not have any influence over or responsibility for visa decisions, and so cannot provide support in this area.
- If you require a visa to enter Canada for the assessment, you will need to secure one on your own, and your application will be affected if you cannot secure one.
