Application Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For security purposes, much of the website functionality (including: Find a Kin, Online membership renewal, E-commerce, and CE credit entry) does not work with out of date web browsers.

Please update your browser(s) to the latest version. Current requirements are listed below. If you continue to have issues, contact your IT department if you are on a corporate network or the BCAK office if you are on a home PC, laptop, tablet, or phone:

Please follow these links to make sure that your browser and your operating system are up to date and update them to the current version if they are not. If this does not work, you may need to try using a different device. Out of date browsers and operating systems can cause other issues during the renewal process, so it's important to rule this out early.

If this does not solve the issue please contact the BCAK office by email or telephone.

All requested documents can be sent to the office email (office@bcak.bc.ca) from the issuing institution.

Documents must be submitted as reasonable quality colour scans in the proper orientation (meaning that in order to view the documents no modification is required by the recipient). Submitting illegible or improperly oriented documents will result in a request for re-submission (slowing down the application process).

Degree Certificates

PDF format is preferred for documents that do not require additional modification.

Criminal Record Check Manual Consent Forms

Detailed Submission Guidelines:

• Ensure all parts of the form are completed prior to submission, including:
  • the checkboxes in section 2 of page 1
  • all of part 1 (applicant Information) on page 2.
  • The signature and date field at the bottom of page 2
• The form must not include electronic signatures but can be filled out in Adobe or other PDF editing software provided an image of a true signature is included.
• The form must be returned as a reply to the original email thread.
• Consent forms must be returned as medium or high resolution scans in PDF format. Upon receipt this form will be sent to the Criminal Record Review Program on your behalf and we will follow up once the review is complete or we are contacted with additional information.
• Photos of the consent form are not acceptable for government submission.
• Using a Cam Scanner and converting to a PDF is not recommended and may result in rejection or excessive delay in government processing time.

The order does not matter, but the application fee must be paid before the application is submitted, and an application must be submitted for the office to upload your support documents. Submitting documents before submitting an application may result in delays in application processing. The following steps constitute a standard sequence for submitting the application and accompanying support documents:

1. Determine your requirements for membership, ensuring you meet all the requirements to the best of your ability. If you are unsure, please email the office for a detailed response to questions you may have.
2. Upload any required documents you have on hand that are to be submitted by you (the applicant). Typically these will include course descriptions, proof of graduation/certificate, and declarations, along with reference letters, ELP test results, and affidavits if required.
3. Submission of your application requires that you pay the application fee (if applicable) prior to your application being reviewed.
4. Ensure that you have received the "your application has been submitted email" (Check your spam/junk email folder). If you have not received this email within 24 hours of submitting your application, please email the BCAK office.
5. Follow the instructions on the how to obtain a criminal record check on the website. The criminal record review letter will be sent directly to the BCAK and attached to your application once received and you will be notified via email.
6. Follow the instructions provided on your post-secondary institution website(s) where you completed your education to request that official transcripts be sent directly to the office. These documents will be added to your application documents folder once they are received and you will be notified via email.

The times required for the various components of the application process are estimated below.

• Submitting your application through the BCAK website - Once you have all the documents required, the online application process should take roughly 30 minutes.
  • Degree certificate(s)/diploma, along with locating and sending course descriptions prior to submission should take roughly 1 hour.
  • Requesting official transcripts from the institution (Delivery time)
    • By mail - 7 to 14 business days
    • By email - 2 to 3 business days
  • Requesting a criminal record check through the criminal records review program.
    • Online - 7 to 21 days after payment
    • Manually - ~30 to 45 business days after payment
  • ICES comprehensive evaluations OR WES Course-by-Course + ICAP evaluations - 7 Weeks following receipt of all required documents from educational institutions.
  • English Language Exams - 1 to 2 months, depending on the time required for you to prepare.
  • BCAK Course Course Composite exam - 2 or more weeks, depending on the time required for you to prepare.
    
• AFTER all supporting documents have been received by the office review will commence. The time required for this review varies depending on your pathway.
  • BC educated applicants ~ 30 days
  • Other Canadian educated applicants ~ 30 to 60 days
  • Internationally educated applicants (full or partial) ~ 45 to 60 days

Canadian educated applicants - No, transcripts must be sent directly from the institution(s) where you completed your education. You should request sealed official transcripts be sent from your post-secondary institution to BCAK.

Internationally educated applicants - No, transcripts for international education are sent directly to the foreign credential evaluation service (ICES or WES) and verified by them. Only in situations where an applicant is applying after being granted refugee status or asylum, where there is no formal relations between Canada and the country of origin, such that documents are not available, will documents held by the applicant be considered for application. These documents must be notarized by a lawyer/notary public verifying they are true original documents or copies of true original documents. These documents are then provided to the foreign credential evaluation service for review.

Yes. Instead of a submitting a copy of your degree/diploma, you are required to submit a signed proof of degree completion and verification of application to graduate letter from your educational institution. The letter must be uploaded by you to your online application. If your application has been submitted, you may send this to (office@bcak.bc.ca) with the subject line "Proof of Graduation/Program Completion Letter".

Please note that your proof of graduation letter must indicate that you have completed all the required coursework for your degree and have applied to graduate on a specific date. The letter must also clearly state what degree and program you will be graduating from, including concentration/specialization/stream. (i.e. Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology - Exercise Science Specialization).

For core (Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics, Motor Control, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Prescription and Research Methods) courses:

• BCAK normally only accepts letter grades or percent grades for elective courses. 
• Special Pandemic Measures - "P" grades require the following additional support documentation;
  • Provide a copy of the policy from the college/university and proof that this policy was in place for the post-secondary institutional, departmental, or course level covering the time of enrolled in the course(s) in question.
  • If possible, contact the professor or academic advisor to determine what percent or letter grade would have been anticipated based on the marks received for previous assignments and exams and request this be provided for submission as support to the BCAK. Documentation provided by the educational institution will be verified by the BCAK office. 

For Elective Courses:

• The BCAK membership committee can accept two (2) borderline pass/fail grades (less than 60%, i.e. 55 to 59%), towards the elective course requirements without special consideration. 
• Applicants who have received 3 or more pass/fail grades for the affected semesters; the BCAK board of directors has the ability to accept additional pass/fail grades for the applicant upon appeal, with the decision determined by:
  • Cumulative GPA of the applicant,
  • Academic history,
  • Previous coursework completed,
  • The graduation requirements for the undergraduate program in question,
  • Additional certifications held by the applicant,
  • Whether an applicant's core course requirements have been met.

Common situations encountered by applicants are detailed below.

1. If you have not met the core course requirements, you can complete the necessary course(s) at an approved BC educational institution (a grade of 60% or higher is required), or challenge and pass the BCAK's core course equivalency examination(s) for the individual subject(s) that you received less than 60% grade. Passing the individual exam requires a score of 65% or higher. Passing the core composite exam (all core courses) requires a score of 60% or higher.
2. If you have been advised you are missing fewer than 5 of the 16 required elective courses, you can complete these at an approved educational institution in Canada, either in person or by distance education (a maximum of 2 D grades (<60%) will be accepted across all elective courses, including other courses already allocated. No additional courses with D grades will be accepted in the total 16 courses above the permitted total of 2.
3. If after reviewing your application, the BCAK determines the number of outstanding requirements could not reasonably be completed within 1 year, your application will be declined and you will be provided with a list of the outstanding requirements that have not been met. You may reapply again after one (1) year and must meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication. No equivalency exams or course substitutions will be made available in these circumstances.

CE credits must be logged for the previous calendar year in order to complete registration. The system is not able to distinguish a first time registrant from a returning member looking to renew their membership. As a workaround, first time applicants CE requirements are assessed as a part of their application and a CE waiver is automatically applied to their account. When registering for the first time, newly approved applicants will be asked to confirm the "First year of membership CE credit waiver". This must be completed manually by you following the steps below.

1. Click the blue edit button next to the draft credit waiver as indicated below

2. A pop-up window will appear. Scroll to the bottom of this popup and check the box next to the text that reads "I hereby confirm the activity submitted complies with the BCAK's Continuing ..." and click SUBMIT.
DO NOT ALTER THE DATE OR ANY OTHER FIELD

3. Once the waiver is confirmed, CREDITS EARNED IN (previous year) will show 20/20 credits and you will be able to proceed to the next step of registration.

Yes!

The annual CESP requirements are reduced for new members renewing their membership for the first time based on membership start date.

The Pro-rated CESP requirements are as listed:

• Start Date in Quarter 1 (Jan – Mar) – 15 credits
• Start Date in Quarter 2 (Apr – Jun) – 10 credits
• Start Date in Quarter 3 (Jul – Sep) – 5 credits
• Start Date in Quarter 4 (Oct – Nov 15) – 0 credits required (New members after November 15th receive a 12+ month membership and when this first membership term expires, 20 credits are required to renew)

Prior to renewal you must manually enter the adjustment credits. To complete this process perform the following steps:

1. Navigate to the My CE credits page. (This link will not work if you are not logged in to your account or you are not a current member)
2. Click the green add a credit button. (A pop up window will appear)
3. Under categories select "Continuing Education Standards Program (CESP) credit waiver" from the drop down menu.
4. Under activities, select the appropriate date range based on when you joined.
5. Enter/Select the date you paid your membership dues as the completion date.
6. In the notes indicate "Joined in ______ (Month)"
7. Check the box to verify this is true and accurate, and submit the credit.

Click here for more information on our continuing educations standards program.

For applicants who initiated their Practicing Membership application in the previous calendar year and are completing the membership purchase now, please select "First year of membership CE waiver".

Yes, official transcripts are required for all kinesiology related courses completed, whether at one or more institutions. See the core course content and elective category definitions for help determining this. If you are still unsure, contact the office.