PLAR Application Instructions
GETTING STARTED
This information is intended for individuals who are internationally educated, or former registrants returning to practise after 10 or more years, and who wish to have their education and training assessed through the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process.
If this is not you, click on the following if you:
Required Documents
Registration Program staff are available to answer questions about the application process and required documents. Registration decisions are made by the Registrar and/or the Registration Committee. Registration Program staff cannot tell you whether you meet the registration requirements or predict whether you will be eligible for registration with the College.
Application Form
- The Application Form must be sent by email (PDF format preferred) to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
- Review your application form to make sure you have completed, signed, and dated All sections of the form. If any section of your application form is incomplete, you will be required to submit a new form.
- All applications are processed in the order in which they are received.
World Education Services (WES) Assessment Report
A WES assessment is required for all university education that you completed outside of Canada, with the exception of education from universities in the United States that have regional accreditation. The WES assessment will confirm whether your degree is equivalent to the university level in Canada.
Please select a course-by-course evaluation and request WES to send your assessment report to the College through their ICAP service.
Official Transcripts
You must arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the College using WES’ ICAP service for each post-secondary degree that you have completed.
This includes transcripts related to:
- Your nutrition degree, and
- Any other degrees you have completed
If the transcript related to a degree does not state that the degree was conferred or awarded, you must arrange for the University to provide an official letter confirming that all degree requirements have been met.
All transcripts and letters must also be sent directly from the University to College at: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Practical Training Information
Your application must include information to confirm that you have completed practical training. If practical training is not indicated on your official transcript from the university, you must arrange for either:
- A letter, sent electronically to the College by the university or other institution, which confirms that you completed practical training in dietetics, or
- A letter, sent electronically to the College by the university, regulatory body, or hospital, which confirms that your degree qualifies you to practise as a dietitian in the country where the university is located.
Please request practical training completion letters to be sent electronically to the College at: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Name Change Information
If your official transcripts are under a different name than the one you are currently using, you must enclose proof of your change in name with this application (e.g., document showing your old name (i.e., marriage certificate) and a government issued ID showing your current name (i.e., driver’s license, passport). You may email proof of name change documentation (PDF format preferred) to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Proof of Language Proficiency
You must be able to show proficiency in English. To demonstrate language proficiency, you must submit:
- A valid (within the past two years) report sent electronically to the College by an approved testing agency, which meets the minimum required score as defined in Policy 6-10: Eligibility for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).
OR
- An official letter, sent directly to the College by the school or education institution, confirming that the medium of instruction was English for your secondary or post-secondary education.
Proof of language proficiency must be sent electronically to the College at: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Translation of documents received in a language other than English or French
You are responsible to pay for the costs of translation of any documents related to your application that are in a language other than English or French.The translations must be completed by a translator in Canada, who is ATIO certified.For documents which are sent directly to the College by a third party, you will provide the name of the translator that you have appointed.When the documents have been received from the university and/or other institution, the College will then forward the documents directly to the translator.
Submit Your Application Form and Fees
Email your completed application form and all supporting documents to registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Your Application ID and Temporary Password
When your application is received, the College will send a confirmation email which will include your application ID, temporary password, and instructions on how to pay all required fees.
Monitor the Progress of your Application Online
Use your ID and password to access your applicant dashboard to monitor the progress of your application. On the dashboard, you will see:
- the status of your application;
- a list indicating which documents have been received; and
- a list showing which documents are still outstanding to complete your application.
When we have received all required documents and fees, we will proceed with the review of your application.
Your application status and documents received are updated on your applicant dashboard every business day.
Registration Requirements
The PLAR is an assessment of your dietetic knowledge and skills. Once you have successfully completed the PLAR, the College will request additional information to assess your application against the remaining registration requirements.
Canadian Dietetics Registration Examination (CDRE)
The CDRE is a non-exemptible registration requirement for a General Certificate of Registration. If you wish to begin practising dietetics while you await to write or receive your results of the CDRE, you have the option of applying for a Temporary Certificate of Registration. See Temporary Class for more information.
To be eligible to write the CDRE, you must be assessed by the College to have met the education and practical training requirements. Click here for more information about the CDRE.
Application Processing Timelines
Completing the registration process can take up to 10 business days from the time that the College receives all of the required documents, but this is a guideline only. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the timely delivery of all documentation and other information requested by the College.
Factors that may delay the processing of your application include:
- Failing to complete and sign all sections of the application form;
- Failing to arrange for for a WES assessment report;
- Failing to provide evidence that demonstrates language proficiency in English;
- Failing to produce other documents requested by the College;
Practising as a Dietitian in Ontario
Only registrants of the College can practise as a dietitian in Ontario using the titles “dietitian,” “Registered dietitian (RD),” “Dietetiste (Dt.P),” or “Dietetiste Professional (Dt.P).”
It is illegal for anyone to use any of these titles in Ontario without a valid certificate of registration issued by the College.
Your status as an RD informs the public that all individuals who identify themselves as dietitians have the knowledge, skill and judgment required to provide safe and ethical dietetics care.