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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

1. 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.


2. The Registration Department, will review the application form to determine the applicant’s eligibility.


3. 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.  


4. An applicant must demonstrate that they have made attempts and are unable to access the required documents before acceptable alternative documentation will be considered.


5. 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.


6. 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.


7. Unsuccessful applicants will be advised of the right to appeal the eligibility decision.


8. An applicant may attempt the KCAT a maximum of three times.


9. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.


3. An applicant may attempt the PBA a maximum of three times.


4. 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.


5. 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.


6. 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.


7. 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

Table 1.  Required Documents and Acceptable Alternatives for Demonstrating Eligibility to Write the KCAT

* 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

Policy Name:  6-20 Candidates Requiring Accommodations for the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Examinations

Established:  May 2016
Reviewed:
Revised: January 2017, January 25, 2021

Policy Statement

A candidate who has a disability, a temporary disability, special condition, religious, or other reason that warrants accommodation may request accommodation for the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) examination(s). Disabilities, temporary disabilities, or special conditions which warrant an accommodation may include (but are not limited to): a learning disability, poor vision, anxiety, pregnancy, lactation.

When considering a request for an accommodation, the College must balance the rights of the candidate with its mandate to protect the public interest through fair, secure, valid, and reliable PLAR examinations.

A reasonable testing accommodation is an adjustment or modification of the standard testing conditions that ameliorates the impact of the candidate’s disability/condition without:

• Altering the nature of the examination or the College’s ability to determine whether the candidate possesses the essential knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice dietetics in Canada;
• imposing an undue burden on the College or other candidates; and,
• compromising the security, validity, and the reliability of the examinations.

Reasonable accommodations may include (but not limited to) additional time to complete the exam, breaks, an opportunity to write the exam in a private room with limited distractions, a reader, a recorder, writing the exam on two consecutive days, or providing access to food/drink/medicine during approved scheduled breaks. The College will provide reasonable accommodations at no additional cost to the candidate. The Candidate is responsible for any costs required to request the accommodation, including any costs to complete Form B and any supporting documentation.

Procedure

1. With the exception of unplanned/unforeseen circumstances, written requests must be received by the exam accommodation request deadline date set by the College.


2. If the accommodation requires writing on a day other than the scheduled day, the candidate may only write within one day of the scheduled exam date.


3. Request for accommodation - must include:
   
   
   • Completion of Form A (Candidate Application for Testing Accommodations), as applicable, by the candidate;
   
   
   • Completion of Form B (Candidate Application for Testing Accommodations for Mental or Physical Disability Related Needs), as applicable, by the appropriate health care professional and any indicated supporting documentation. An appropriate health care professional who is qualified to diagnose the impairment, has been involved in the candidate’s assessment and has sufficient knowledge and expertise to be able to identify what accommodation is needed in relation to the disability or special condition. The College reserves the right to seek another expert opinion. Form B is not required for an accommodation request related to breastfeeding or pregnancy.
   
   
   • Completion of Form C (Candidate Application for Religious Accommodation), as applicable, by the candidate.


4. The decision to approve or deny an accommodation request will be made by the College’s Registrar. The College reserves the right to refuse any accommodation requests that threatens the psychometric soundness, reliability, fairness and/or security of the exams.

Note: Accommodations granted during university may not be granted in a professional exam. An accommodation for a professional exam enables the candidate to access the exam (removes the barrier that prevents the candidate from displaying their knowledge) but does not compromise the exam’s ability to assess competency.

Policy Name:  6-40 Candidates Unable To Write the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Examinations Due To Compelling Reasons

Established:  May 2016
Reviewed:
Revised: January 2017, January 25, 2021

Policy Statement

Candidates who are unable to write the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition examinations: Knowledge and Competency Assessment Tool (KCAT) or Performance Based Assessment (PBA) due to compelling reasons beyond their control may apply to the College of Dietitians of Ontario for a refund of the examination fee. Special circumstances and compelling reasons may include, but are not limited to bereavement, accidents, illness, or travel disruptions.

The decision about whether to grant a refund is made by the Registrar and the amount of the refund will depend on the costs incurred by the College that are not recoverable.

Procedure

1. A candidate who wishes to withdraw from the KCAT or PBA after the registration deadline has passed due to compelling reasons, may apply for a refund of the examination fees. 


2. If the candidate does not attend the scheduled administration of the KCAT or PBA due to compelling reasons, the candidate must contact the College within 2 business days after the scheduled administration.  


3. The written request for refund must state the circumstances under which the candidate was unable to write the examination, and include any supporting documentation required by the College.


4. Candidates who withdraw their application for the examination under procedure 1 and 2, are eligible for a refund of the examination fee minus an administrative fee of $55.


5. If the candidate’s withdrawal from the examination results in costs to the College that cannot be recovered, the amount of the refund will be further reduced to cover the costs to the College.

Policy Name:  6-50 Administration of KCAT Related to Emergency Disaster

Established:  May 2016
Reviewed:
Revised: January 2017

Policy Statement

The safety of individuals must be paramount in determining appropriate actions in the event of a disaster or emergency. The security of the examination must also be protected.  Given the variable nature and timing of all possible disasters and emergencies, the College of Dietitians of Ontario (CDO) and the examination company must determine the most appropriate actions at the time of the disruptive event to safeguard individuals and the examination security.  The following procedures provide a framework for determining the most appropriate actions. 

Procedure

1. If there is a disaster before the day of the KCAT and if time permits, CDO and/or the examination company will notify the candidates that the KCAT will be rescheduled. 
2. If the disaster occurs with inadequate time to permit notification to the candidates, and the circumstances of the disaster warrant, the examination company will make the decision to cancel the KCAT. If time permits, the examination company will consult with CDO.
3. The writing centre will manage the situation in the event of an emergency during the examination (such as a bomb threat or power outage), and provide instructions to the candidates.
4. If candidates are unable to complete the KCAT, CDO will work with the examination company to reschedule for the earliest possible day.

Policy Name:  6-60 Disqualification & Cheating

Established:  May 2016
Reviewed:
Revised: January 2017, March 17, 2017

Policy Statement

Cheating can include but is not limited to one or more of the following:

• Non-registered individuals posing as registered candidates;
• Bringing study materials or any electronic devices to the candidate’s desk;
• Attempting to observe another candidates’ work;
• Seeking or giving aid to another candidate;
• Conversation or other communication with another candidate before, during or after the examination that would jeopardize the integrity or security of the examination;
• Any discussion of the exam (Knowledge and Competency Assessment Test, or Practice-Based Assessment), including the informal or organized sharing of and distribution of questions based on memory or recall, once the Exam has been written.

Any candidate who is found cheating will be disqualified from the examination.

Procedure

1. The exam invigilators will monitor candidates for behaviours that suggest cheating. 
2. Under some circumstances, the candidate may be blocked from continuing with the exam.  All suspected instances of cheating must be reported to College of Dietitians of Ontario.
3. CDO will take any further action in accordance with provincial regulation or by-law and policy, including:
   • notifying the candidate of the disqualification
   • notifying the examination company of disqualification
4. The candidate may request an appeal of the disqualification according to policy 6-70.
5. The following additional consequences apply to any candidate found cheating on the KCAT or PBA:
   • CDO may consider the suitability of the candidate’s character to be a registered dietitian in keeping with its registration policies and procedures.
   • dietetic regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions will be notified of the candidate’s disqualification from the KCAT or PBA.
   • the fact of the candidate’s disqualification from the KCAT or PBA will be disclosed to any other regulatory bodies that contact the College regarding the candidate’s application/registration history.

Policy Name:  6-70 Appeal Process - Eligibility or Disqualification Decisions for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Process

Established:  May 2016
Reviewed:
Revised: January 2017, November 2021

Policy Statement

Applicants shall have the right to appeal a decision which deems the applicant ineligible to write the Knowledge and Competence Assessment Tool (KCAT) under Policy 6-10 or disqualified from writing the KCAT or Performance Based Assessment (PBA) under Policy 6-60: Disqualification Cheating. Grounds for appeal are based on irregularities in the process for determining eligibility or disqualification based on cheating.

A panel of the Registration Committee will review all appeals related to decisions about an applicant’s eligibility for or disqualification. The review will focus on determining whether the existing policies were applied in a manner that is transparent and fair.

Procedure

1. The applicant must submit to the College a written request for appeal, along with the appeal fee not more than 30 days after the eligibility or disqualification decision was made.
2. The applicant can withdraw their appeal up until the decision is made. The appeal fee is not refundable if an appeal is withdrawn.
3. The College will acknowledge the appeal from the applicant in writing within 15 calendar days of receiving the request.   The acknowledgement letter will outline the appeal process, the expected timelines, and possible outcomes.
4. In considering the appeal, a panel of the Registration Committee will determine whether existing policies were applied in determining eligibility to write or disqualification from the KCAT or PBA.
   • Was the process transparent and clearly articulated to the applicant (exam rules and definition of cheating; eligibility criteria, required documents, relevant deadlines and the possible outcomes)?
   • Did staff follow the published process in determining the eligibility or disqualification of the applicant?
   • Has the applicant provided any information to suggest unfairness with the review of their own application/situation or with the process itself?  This could include concerns about transparency, impartiality, objectivity or fairness of the process.  
5. Following the review of the appeal, the panel of the Registration Committee reviewing the appeal will notify the candidate in writing of its decision and the reason(s).
6. The decision of the panel of the Registration Committee is final.
7. If the appeal is successful the applicant will be eligible to register for and write the next available administration of the KCAT or PBA at no additional cost, and the appeal fee will be refunded.

Policy Name:  6-80 Appeal Process-Results of KCAT or PBA

Established:  January 2017
Reviewed:
Revised: November 2021

Policy Statement

Candidates who have a failing score on the Knowledge and Competency Assessment Test (KCAT) or the Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) shall have the right to appeal their examination results based only on (a) irregularities in the examination administration process or (b) extraordinary, unforeseen, personal and not pre-existing circumstances that arise on the day of the exam.   The following circumstances may support an appeal request but are not limited to the following conditions:

• Exam procedures that vary significantly from the standard
• Extraordinary circumstances (e.g., family emergency or fire alarm during exam which led to substantial interruption)
• Illness that arose during the exam
• Accommodation (approved by the College in advance of the exam) not adequately implemented for the exam

Procedure

1. A failing candidate choosing to appeal their examination result must, within 20 calendar days of the sending of the examination results to the candidate, submit a written request to the College detailing the nature of the appeal. The candidate must pay the appeal fee before the appeal will be considered.
2. The candidate can withdraw their appeal up until a decision is made.  The appeal fee is not refundable if an appeal is withdrawn.
3. The College will acknowledge the appeal from the candidate in writing within 5 business days of receiving the request. The acknowledgement letter will outline the appeal process, the expected timelines, and possible outcomes. 
4. Following the review of the appeal, a panel of the Registration Committee will notify the candidate in writing of its decision and the reason(s).
5. The decision of the panel of the Registration Committee is final.
6. If the appeal is successful:
   • The examination that was appealed will not be counted as a failed attempt;
   • The candidate is allowed to re-write the next exam administration at no additional cost for an administrative-related appeal;
   • The candidate will be responsible for the cost of their next exam attempt for appeals granted for extraordinary personal circumstances;
   • The appeal fee will be refunded for administrative-related appeal issues, but not for appeals granted for extraordinary personal circumstances; and
   • Results of an examination will not be reversed from fail to pass.