Internationally Educated Physiotherapist (IEPT) Credential Assessment and Education Bursary Program
On July 19, 2022, the Province of British Columbia announced $4.5M in bursary funding to support high priority internationally educated allied health professionals (IEAHPs) that want to work in BC’s healthcare system. This program will be administered by Health Match BC (HMBC) and will be designed to retain allied health professionals in the public sector. HMBC acts in an advisory capacity to support IEAHPs throughout their journey to practice in British Columbia (BC), Canada.
A bursary of up to $14,812 CAD is available to assist internationally educated physiotherapists (IEPTs) with the costs associated with becoming licensed to work in BC. HMBC, in partnership with the BC Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR), will support eligible IEPTs who want to work in BC by offering financial support to help pay for costs associated with credential assessment, English language proficiency testing, and exam preparation. This bursary is available as of June 12, 2023.
IEPT Bursary Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this bursary, internationally educated physiotherapists (IEPTs) will need to meet all of the following criteria:
- The applicant provides a copy of their English-translated Passport as a supporting identification document. This document must contain a photo, full legal name, date of birth, and signature.
- The applicant provides proof of a university-level degree (entry-to-practice) in physiotherapy from a country other than Canada.
- The applicant has initiated or will be initiating the Educational Credential and Qualifications Assessment with the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR).
- The applicant declares and signs a Return of Service (ROS) Agreement indicating they intend to complete the full credentialling and licensure process.
- This includes completion of the CAPR Educational Credential and Qualifications Assessment, taking supplementary education (optional), obtaining full licensure with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC), and working with a Qualifying Employer in BC’s public healthcare sector for one year (if employment is over 0.5 FTE), or two years (if employment is 0.5 FTE or less).
- The applicant has a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Please note a SIN is not required to register for the bursary. If you are not currently residing in Canada and are eligible for the bursaries, you will be reimbursed once you obtain your SIN, a Canadian address and phone number, and Canadian bank account information for direct deposit as it is necessary for any reimbursements.
- The applicant must not currently hold (or have previously held) full licensure as a physiotherapist in any province or territory in Canada.
Note: To ensure fair distribution of resources, if an applicant possesses qualifications in more than one profession that is eligible under the Internationally Educated Nurse Bursary Program and/or Internationally Educated Allied Health Bursary Program, the applicant must proceed with an application for only one profession (i.e., eligible for one funding stream only). Please contact your recruitment consultant for additional information, as multiple applications may result in funding being denied or returned to the Province.
Return of Service
IEPTs must commit to a Return of Service (ROS) agreement with the BC Ministry of Health to receive financial support through this program. The ROS agreement states that you intend to complete the full credentialling and licensure process and will work in BC with a public sector employer for a specified length of time.
The ROS is an agreement to work in the public health system for one year, if the participant’s employment is over a 0.5 FTE; or two years, if the participant’s employment is 0.5 FTE or less.
A publicly funded health sector employer includes a regional health board designated under section 4(1) of the Health Authorities Act, Provincial Health Services Authority, First Nations Health Authority or Providence Health Care; or (b) an employer at a publicly funded long-term care or assisted living facility. Qualifying employers EXCLUDE contract agencies supplying temporary and/or short-term staffing solutions to eligible facilities.
Note: Once eligibility has been confirmed, HMBC will send a ROS agreement to the applicant which must be signed and returned.
Financial Support (Bursaries)
Licensure Process Steps Eligible for Bursary Program
Bursary Amount
Requirements for Reimbursement
Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) Educational Credential and Qualifications Assessment
$1,486 CAD
Upon proof of payment and positive results letter for Participants who have already undergone the CAPR assessment. Fee waiving may be available to Participants who have not yet paid this fee at the time of Program enrollment and contingent on a signed ROS.
Exact amount up to a maximum amount of $525 CAD
Upon proof of payment and course completion provided to Health Match BC and successful completion of the CAPR Educational Credential and Qualifications Assessment.
Exact amount up to a maximum amount of $800 CAD
Upon proof of payment for CAPR assessment. The ELP test bursary is available for up to two (2) attempts of a CAPR-accepted test, whether an applicant is successful or not. Funding is up to $400 CAD per test and is based on official receipts and completion of testing from a recognized English Language Proficiency Test.
CAPR Practice Exam for Written Component (WC – Practice Exam) – Optional step
$120 CAD
Reimbursement can occur with proof of payment and positive CAPR results letter provided to Health Match BC.
Physio Refresh Exam Preparation Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) – Optional step
Exact amount, up to $5,910 (for domestic students) and $10,881 (for international students) for the Competency Refresh (CoRe) or Certificate program.
Upon proof of payment, course completion, and positive CAPR results letter provided to Health Match BC.
Travel bursary for in-person components of the Physio Refresh exam preparation program.
Up to a $1,000 CAD travel subsidy to assist with travel costs for out-of-town applicants.
Reimbursement can occur with proof of payment and eligible program completion provided to HMBC, proof of address, and upon commencement of the ROS with a Qualifying Employer. The applicant must submit the Province’s Return of Service Commencement Form.
Maximum Possible Bursary Amount:
$14,812 CAD
Note: Travel subsidies are calculated using estimated ferry costs and fuel consumption based on distanced travel from an applicant’s primary residence in BC.
Documents Required
To be eligible for the Internationally Educated Physiotherapist (IEPT) Bursary through HMBC, applicants must:
- Register for an account with HMBC and complete the IEPT Bursary Application provided to you by your HMBC recruitment team. If you already have an HMBC account and are interested in applying to the bursary program, please contact us at: PTBursary@healthmatchbc.org
- Provide a copy of your Passport as a supporting identification document. We do not need all pages of your passport, only the pages with your full legal name, date of birth, and signature. For example, if your photo, full legal name, and date of birth are on one page and your signature is on another, we will need both.
- Provide a copy of your English-translated university-level degree (entry-to-practice) in physiotherapy from a country other than Canada.
- Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) Educational Credential and Qualifications Assessment:
- If you have already initiated the CAPR Assessment they may be eligible for reimbursement:
- Provide HMBC with a copy of the receipt showing the application fee for the assessment has been paid. Note: Reimbursement for the CAPR Fee requires receipts showing the cost was incurred on or after July 19, 2022.
- If you have not yet initiated the CAPR assessment you may be eligible to have this fee waived directly by CAPR.
- If you have already initiated the CAPR Assessment they may be eligible for reimbursement:
- Submit payment receipts for:
- Completion of a CAPR-approved course about the Canadian health care system and the role of physiotherapists.
- English Language Proficiency (ELP) Testing. Note: HMBC will only accept language proficiency tests accepted by CAPR for the purpose of the assessment process:
- Once an applicant receives the Qualifications Results letter from CAPR, they may be eligible for reimbursement for the following:
- CAPR Practice Exam for Written Component – Optional
- Physio Refresh exam preparation program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) – Optional
Note: Payment can be expected within 4-6 weeks of submitting all required documentation.
