Policy Statement
Registrants of the College may formally request an extension, exemption, or deferral for the completion date of their Jurisprudence Knowledge and Assessment Tool (JKAT). The Quality Assurance (QA) staff and Committee will consider the registrant's circumstances when granting or refusing a request.
Extension: Providing additional time to complete the JKAT beyond the due date.
Exemption: Providing an exclusion from completing the JKAT in a given year.
Deferral: Providing a rescheduling of the start date to complete the JKAT in a given year.
Procedure
1. Filing of a Request for an Extension, Exemption or Deferral
A request to extend, exempt or defer the JKAT should be made by email (on the form provided by the College). The request may be made by someone else on behalf of the registrant if they cannot make the request themselves. Unless otherwise permitted by the College, request for extension, exemption or deferral must be received by the deadline indicated on the deferral form. If a registrant requires more time to file their request, they must give their reason for the delay.
2. Details of the Request for an Extension, Exemption or Deferral
The written request should include the following:
2.1 The registrant's name and registration number
2.2 Whether the request is for an extension, exemption or deferral
2.3 An indication of current work status
2.4 Any information/reason that may be pertinent and supportive of the request (e.g. amount of time being requested, doctor's note).
2.5 In cases where a registrant is not residing or working in Ontario and does not have Ontario-based clients, they may request an exemption* from the JKT.
The decision may be delayed or the request for extension, exemption, or deferral denied if there is insufficient information to make the decision. In this situation, the registrant will be notified, in writing, and may choose to provide further information.
3. Decisions Regarding a Request for Extension, Exemption or Deferral
3.1 All requests for extensions, exemptions and deferrals will be reviewed by the QA Staff on behalf of the Committee.
3.2 The QA Staff will grant extensions and deferrals on behalf of the Committee based upon consideration of extenuating circumstances such as the following:
3.2.1 Current hospitalization
3.2.2 Major Illness or self/family crisis
3.2.3 Bereavement
3.2.4 Personal hardship
3.2.5 Current leave of absence, including parental leave
3.3 Request for extensions or deferrals from completing the JKAT will also be considered for:
3.3.1 Repeated Requests for extensions or deferrals due to Long-Term Disability.
3.3.2 Registrants who have been granted, as a result of a long-term disability, extensions or deferrals totalling more than 12 consecutive months will be required to:
i) Sign an agreement requiring written notification to the registrar & ED within ten working days after return to work; and
ii) Complete the JKAT at the next administration period.
3.4 Registrant may be granted an exemption if they are not currently residing in Ontario, nor do they provide care or work with clients* in Ontario.
3.4.1 Registrants are required to sign and complete the Acknowledgement and Undertaking Form for Out of Province/Country.
4. Requests for extension or deferral for reasons other than those mentioned in 3 (ii) will be referred to the Committee. Decisions will be made on an individual case-by-case basis.
5. If a request for an extension or deferral of a specific time frame is made, the Committee and Staff may consider this time frame but will not be limited by it.
6. The registrant will be notified by email of the decision. This notification will be emailed to the registrant, usually within five business days of the decision.
7. When an extension is granted, if the registant requires an additional extension, they are required to submit a subsequent written request.
* Registrants who live outside Ontario may complete an Acknowledgement and Undertaking which will exempt them from writing the JKAT until such time as they notify the College that they will be returning to practice in Ontario or providing care to Ontario clients.
JKAT Acknowledgement & Undertaking - Out of the Province form