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, May 29, 2023, April 3, 2024, May 29, 2024
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 dietetics 10 or more years ago.
The College of Dietitians of Ontario’s (CDO) 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 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; or
- 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.
- 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 for PLAR below)
- 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 attempt the Performance Based Assessment (PBA), an applicant must have demonstrated:
- 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; AND
- One of the following:
- Received a Level I result on the KCAT within the past three years preceding the date of the next PBA administration, or
- Completed accredited academic training (or equivalent).
- 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 Dietitians of Canada Critical Care Nutrition course and the JKAT;
- Receive a Level I result on the KCAT, followed by successful completion of a Canadian accredited practical training program;
- Receive a Level I result on the KCAT, followed by successful completion of a College-approved bridging/additional practicum training program;
- Receive a Level I result on the KCAT, successfully complete a recognized U.S. accredited practical training program, and successfully complete the JKAT;
- 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;
- Receive a Level II result on the KCAT, followed by successful completion of a College-approved bridging/additional academic training program, and a Canadian accredited practical training program;
- Receive a Level II result on the KCAT, followed by successful completion of a College-approved bridging/additional academic training program 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;
- Receive a Level II result on the KCAT, followed by successful completion of a College-approved bridging/additional academic training program, pass the PBA, and successfully complete the Dietitians of Canada Critical Care Nutrition course and the JKAT;
- Complete a recognized U.S. accredited academic training, pass the PBA, and successfully complete the Dietitians of Canada Critical Care Nutrition course and the JKAT; or
- Complete Canadian accredited (or equivalent) academic training, pass the PBA, and successfully complete the Dietitians of Canada Critical Care Nutrition course and the JKAT (as applicable).
NOTE: If practical training was not completed in Canada, applicants must successfully complete the Dietitians of Canada Critical Care Nutrition course and the JKAT prior to successfully completing the PLAR process.
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 Recognized United States (U.S.) Graduates
- Applicants who have completed an accredited academic degree in Canada or a recognized accredited degree in 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.
Required Documents to demonstrate eligibility to write KCAT for Demonstrating Academic Currency
Criteria being evaluated |
Required Document |
Undergraduate degree accredited in Canada or a recognized accredited degree in 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 |
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;
or
• 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.
|
- 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.
|
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 (One Skill Retake permitted).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Academic with an overall minimum band score of 6.5 (One Skill Retake permitted).
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program – General (CELPIP - G) with an overall minimum score of 7.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) – Minimum score of 60 for Listening and Reading, 69 for Writing, and 68 for Speaking.
OR
- Occupational English Test (OET) – Minimum score of 300 for Listening, Writing, and Reading, and 350 for speaking.
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 (U.S.) are not required to submit a WES assessment if the degree was from a university with Regional Accreditation. Education from U.S. universities without Regional Accreditation must be assessed by WES Canada.
Table 2. Required Documents and Acceptable Alternatives for Demonstrating Eligibility to Write the PBA
Criteria Being Evaluated |
Required Documents |
Acceptable Documentation Alternatives |
Academic Training
|
- KCAT Level I result within the past three years preceding the date of next PBA administration,
- KCAT Level II result on the KCAT, official transcript, and letter confirming successful completion of additional training acceptable to the College, within the past three years preceding the date of the next PBA administration,
OR
- Official transcript (sent directly to the College) demonstrating completion of accredited academic training (or equivalent) within the past three years preceding the date of next PBA administration.
|
|
Practical 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.
|
English Language Proficiency
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.
|
- 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 (One Skill Retake permitted).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Academic with an overall minimum band score of 6.5 (One Skill Retake permitted).
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program – General (CELPIP - G) with an overall minimum score of 7.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) – Minimum score of 60 for Listening and Reading, 69 for Writing, and 68 for Speaking.
OR
- Occupational English Test (OET) – Minimum score of 300 for Listening, Writing, and Reading, and 350 for speaking.
|
- 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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Procedure-Flowchart for PLAR