Policy Name: 6-10 Eligibility for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Established: September 2015
Reviewed:
Revised: May 2016, August 26, 2016, January 2017, March 17, 2017, October 23, 2017, November 9, 2018, March 8, 2019, May 6, 2019; October 7, 2019, March 16, 2020, November 23, 2020, January 25, 2021, April 16, 2021, May 17, 2021, August 24, 2021, April 4, 2022, November 28, 2022.
Policy Statement
The Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process is designed to assess the current knowledge, skills, and competence of internationally educated applicants against the national entry to practice standards for Canadian graduates.
This policy also permits applicants to complete the PLAR process to fulfill the upgrading requirements as outlined in Policy 3-30 Assessing Currency for Applicants, for applicants who completed their training or last practised dietetic 10 or more years ago.
The College’s PLAR process is not designed as a “challenge” process, where a person with no formal dietetic education could self-study and complete the assessment(s) to demonstrate that they have the required knowledge and skills.
To be deemed eligible to initiate the PLAR process to attempt the Knowledge and Competence Assessment Tool (KCAT), an applicant must demonstrate completion of:
- Dietetic Academic Training
- A degree at the Bachelor level reasonably related to dietetics, with evidence of completed courses in the three core areas of dietetic practice: nutrition care, population & public health, and food service management;
- A degree in sciences at the Bachelor level, followed by a university-level program reasonably related to dietetics, with evidence of completed courses in the three core areas of dietetic practice: nutrition care, population & public health, and food service management; of at least two years in duration; or
- A degree at the Bachelor level, plus a verification statement of equivalence from a United States-based Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited academic (didactic) program.
- Language Proficiency:
All PLAR applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. Refer to Table 1 below for detailed requirements.
Language proficiency test results are presumptive only and may be insufficient on their own where there is other evidence of language proficiency concerns. An applicant who was previously deemed eligible for the PLAR process must continue to meet the current eligibility requirements to continue the process.
Procedure (see also Procedure Flowchart below for PLAR)
- An applicant who seeks to write the Knowledge and Competency Assessment Tool (KCAT) must submit the PLAR application form to the College of Dietitians of Ontario.
- The Registration Department, will review the application form to determine the applicant’s eligibility.
- Table 1 below describes the eligibility criteria and lists the documents that an applicant must provide as evidence of meeting the eligibility criteria. Acceptable alternatives to the required documents are also indicated.
- An applicant must demonstrate that they have made attempts and are unable to access the required documents before acceptable alternative documentation will be considered.
- As language skills can degrade over time, a more recent English proficiency test result takes precedence over a letter indicating the primary language of instruction was English.
- In some cases, upon review of the totality of training, an applicant may be counselled about the probably that they may not be successful in the PLAR process.
- Unsuccessful applicants will be advised of the right to appeal the eligibility decision.
- An applicant may attempt the KCAT a maximum of three times.
- An applicant who has previously attempted the KCAT will be eligible to register for a second or third attempt of the KCAT providing they continue to meet all eligibility requirements and they have not exceeded the maximum number of attempts.
To be deemed eligible to proceed through the PLAR process and attempt the Performance Based Assessment (PBA), an applicant must demonstrate completion of:
- Practical training in dietetics or completion of the required education/training that qualifies them to practise dietetics and/or be officially recognized as a dietitian in the country of training.
- To attempt the PBA Applicants must:
- Have received a Level I result on the KCAT within the past 3 years, or
- Have received a Level II result on the KCAT and have successfully completed Toronto Metropolitan University’s (formerly Ryerson University) Internationally Educated Professional in Nutrition (IEPN) Certificate in Canadian Dietetic Knowledge Competencies program (Certificate), or additional training acceptable to the College, within the past three years.
- An applicant may attempt the PBA a maximum of three times.
- An applicant who has previously attempted the PBA will be eligible to register for a second or third attempt of the PBA providing they continue to meet all eligibility requirements and they have not exceeded the maximum number of attempts.
- An applicant who has successfully completed the PBA must attempt the Jurisprudence Knowledge & Assessment Tool (JKAT) and apply to the College within three years after passing the PBA.
- An applicant is deemed to have successfully completed the PLAR process if they:
- Receive a Level I result on the KCAT, pass the PBA and successfully complete the JKAT;
- Receive a Level I or II result on the KCAT, followed by successful completion of the IEPN Certificate and the IEPN Practicum (or Canadian or United States (U.S.) accredited practical training program);
- Receive a Level I or II result on the KCAT, followed by successful completion of the IEPN Certificate, pass the PBA and successfully complete the JKAT;
- Receive a Level I result on the KCAT, followed by successful completion of the IEPN Practicum or Canadian accredited practical training program;
- Receive a Level I result on the KCAT, successfully complete a U.S. accredited practical training program and pass the JKAT; or.
- Receive a Level I result on the KCAT and successfully complete an Independent Practicum that has been assessed to be equivalent to an accredited program of practical training by a panel of the Registration Committee.
- An applicant deemed to have successfully completed the PLAR process under section 6 is deemed eligible to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE). The applicant may apply for a Temporary Certificate of Registration while waiting to write or receive the results of the CDRE.
KCAT for Demonstrating Academic Currency-Canadian and United States (U.S.) Graduates
- Applicants who have completed an accredited academic degree in Canada or the U.S. more than three years ago may write the KCAT to demonstrate academic currency.
- Third-party accredited practical training programs in Ontario will accept a KCAT Level I result as a demonstration of academic currency from an applicant who completed an accredited academic degree more than three years ago.
- The results of the KCAT written by applicants to demonstrate academic currency will not form part of the College’s registration process.
Required Documents to demonstrate eligibility to write KCAT for Demonstrating Academic Currency
Criteria being evaluated |
Required Document |
1. Undergraduate degree accredited in Canada or the U.S., completed more than three years ago.
|
- Official Transcript (sent directly to CDO by the University)
- A verification statement of program completion from the recognized U.S. accreditation body, as applicable
|
Table 1. Required Documents and Acceptable Alternatives for Demonstrating Eligibility to Write the KCAT
Criteria Being Evaluated |
Required Documents |
Acceptable Documentation Alternatives |
1. Academic Training
• A degree at the Bachelor level reasonably related to dietetics, with evidence of completed courses in the three core areas of dietetic practice: nutrition care, population & public health, and food service management;
• A degree in sciences at the Bachelor level, followed by a university-level program reasonably related to dietetics, with evidence of completed courses in the three core areas of dietetic practice: nutrition care, population & public health, and food service management; of at least two years in duration; or
• A degree at the Bachelor level, plus a verification statement of equivalence from a U.S. accredited academic (didactic) program.
|
- World Education Services (WES) Course-by-Course Assessment (sent directly to CDO) confirming that the transcript/degree is authentic and that the level of the degree is at least equivalent to a bachelor’s (undergraduate) degree in Canada.*
AND
- Official Transcript (send directly to CDO by the institution or WES)
|
- Proof that the applicant was accepted into a Canadian graduate degree if the admission requirements for the graduate degree include completion of an undergraduate degree.
- A WES Gateway Program credential evaluation report for applicants who have been displaced from their country of training due to adverse circumstances.
- In exceptional circumstances the applicant may make a declaration about their education.
|
2. Practical Training
• Practical training in dietetics; or
• Completion of required education/training qualifies the applicant to practice and/or be officially recognized as a dietitian in the country of training.
|
- Official Transcript or letter (sent directly to CDO by the institution or WES) showing practical training was completed as part of the degree.
OR
- Official Letter from the University, Regulatory Body or Hospital (sent directly to CDO by the institution) which confirms that applicant’s degree qualifies them to practice as a Dietitian in the country where the institution is located.
|
- In exceptional circumstances, proof of dietetic practice in another jurisdiction may be accepted as an alternative for proof of practical training.
- In exceptional circumstances, the applicant may make a declaration about their practical training or dietetic practice.
|
3. English Language Proficiency
|
- Test of English as a Foreign Language – Internet Based Test (TOEFL - iBT) with an overall minimum score of 79.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - General with an overall minimum band score of 6.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Academic with an overall minimum band score of 6.5.
OR
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program – General (CELPIP - G) with an overall minimum score of 7
NOTE: All language proficiency test reports must be sent directly to CDO from the testing institution. Language proficiency test results remain valid if the test was taken within two (2) years before the date of application to the College.
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- Proof (sent directly from the institution to CDO) that English was the primary language of instruction in the applicant’s primary, secondary or post-secondary schooling.
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* Applicants who completed education in the United States (US) are not required to submit a WES assessment if the degree was from a university with Regional Accreditation. Education from US universities without Regional Accreditation must be assessed by WES Canada.
Procedure-Flowchart for PLAR