Professional Membership

PSI - Post-Secondary Education Institution - Includes public universities, colleges, community colleges, polytechnics, institutes, university colleges.

Course Syllabus – A guide to the content and materials that are to be covered in a course. It is most commonly used by the academic instructors to prepare course materials, and the term is sometimes used interchangeably with the term ‘course outline’.

Course Outline - An official document typically used by course instructors and students which summarizes the essential elements of a course, including; objectives, expected learning outcomes, learning requirements, evaluation methods, learning activities, learning resources, expectations, assessments, and policies.

Course Description - A course description provides an brief overview of what a course covers, (relative to a syllabus or course outline which provides specific details about a course).

OTR – Official Transcript of Records - An official document issued directly by the PSI detailing a student's academic performance during their studies, including course titles, grades earned, credits earned and overall summary of achievements.

Standard PSI Course - A 3-credit course of study that runs for 15-16 weeks in duration, incorporating an average of 3 hours of instructional learning per week for a total of 45 to 48 hours of instructional learning (which is in addition to 45 to 90 hours of self-directed study/learning for a cumulative total of 135 hours of educational learning). This is typically defined as a standard Carnegie Unit.

Application Date - The date that an applicant pays their application fee, thereby initiating the application process.

CRC – Criminal Records Check – Also referred to as a criminal record check clearance letter or review.

CRRP – Criminal Records Review Program – The program run by the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services specifically for people who work with children or vulnerable adults in BC. BCAK Professional Members are recognized as healthcare providers under the CRRP and are required to obtain their criminal record checks through this program.

PCE – BCAK’s Profession Competency Exam

WIL - Work Integrated Learning - A form of work experience formally integrated into a student’s academic studies, providing applied work experiences within a workplace or practice setting. WIL experiences provide an engaged partnership of at least: an academic institution, a host organization, and a student. WIL can occur at the course or program level and includes the development of student learning objectives and outcomes related to practice-based knowledge and skills competency.

PWE - Professional Work Experience - A period of time during which a person gains knowledge and skills through working in a particular job or field. Work experience and WIL terms can sometimes be used interchangeably and include the following:

• Internship – A flexible form of Work-Integrated Learning. An internship can be full or part-time and paid or unpaid. Internships can also take place while students are taking other classes or after all other coursework has been completed.
• Work Placement - Paid or unpaid periods of work experience that are part of a study period.
• Work or Job Shadowing - Observing someone working in a career or position that one aspires to enter.
• Volunteering - To undertake a service for other people or for an organization, willingly and without being forced or paid to do it. Volunteering in healthcare settings can be limited with regard to the type and quality of work experience that can be achieved due to client privacy and informed consent requirements.

WH - Work History - An applicant's previous work experience. It includes the names of the company(ies) or organization(s) where the individual has worked; employment dates; the start and end dates of each employment period; job responsibilities; and a description of the duties, responsibilities, and tasks performed in each position.

Clinical Kinesiology Degree – A minimum 4-year kinesiology degree program, specifically designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and competency for entry level practice upon completion of the program. This degree will include education coursework and training on healthcare ethics, jurisprudence, prevention strategies, program models, clinical assessment, exercise prescription, lifestyle behaviour change counselling, health and safety, IPC, interdisciplinary care. Importantly, it will incorporate clinical work integrated learning placement opportunities for all students.

IPC - Infection Prevention and Control - A set of practical, evidence-based procedures that prevent, or reduce, the risk of contracting avoidable and potentially harmful infections

Jurisprudence - Healthcare jurisprudence is the legal framework that governs the relationship between clients and kinesiologists. It establishes standards and principles that ensure healthcare professionals follow established norms, such as those relating to informed consent, confidentiality and duty of care.

ETP – Entry to Practice - The point at which a learner has the observable ability to transition to being an independent clinician without the requirement of oversight or direct supervision - demonstrating the entry-level knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment required to practice kinesiology safely, effectively and ethically.

ETPC - Entry-To-Practice Competencies - The knowledge, skills, judgment, and attitudes necessary to provide safe, ethical, and competent care at an entry level.

Degree Requirement

Completion of a four-year degree in clinical kinesiology in Canada or equivalent completed elsewhere that is recognized by the BCAK.  Or a degree in kinesiology, in addition to supplemental education and work experience in clinical kinesiology, that are acceptable to the BCAK.

Course Criteria

a) 75% of courses (30 of the minimum 40) required in a standard 4-year degree in Canada (based on the “Carnegie Unit” system) must be kinesiology courses. These may include required science, math, psychology or healthcare courses necessary for a specific Post Secondary Institution's (PSI’s) kinesiology degree program.

b) Completion of a minimum of fourteen (14) 3-credit courses covering all the knowledge competencies (subjects) listed below:

1. Biomechanics of Human Movement and Tissues
2. Clinical Kinesiology Assessment
3. Clinical Exercise Prescription
4. Human Systems Anatomy (Applied Human Anatomy)
5. Human Exercise Physiology
6. Human Motor Control and Learning (Neuroscience)
7. Human Systems Physiology
8. Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice
9. Human Growth and Development
10. Human Nutrition and Metabolism
11. Kinesiology Professional Practice and Jurisprudence
12. Prevention and Rehabilitation of Sports Injuries
13. Psychology and/or Sociology of Health and Human Movement (Behaviour Change/ Modification)
14. Special Populations Health

PLUS:

Sixteen (16) 3-credit elective courses that must be in kinesiology and/or science, math, psychology or healthcare courses required for a specific PSI’s kinesiology degree program.

Total minimum requirement is thirty (30) 3-credit courses.

There are circumstances where two core subjects can be combined in one 3-credit course; please see the BCAK Course Assessment Policies and Procedures for details.

If an applicant received their education from a PSI that does not follow the Carnegie Unit System, the applicant must provide the course unit system that their PSI uses and the BCAK will determine equivalencies.

Note: Applicants who graduated from outside of British Columbia will be required to assess the courses in their program and compare to the fourteen (14) 3-credit courses that cover all knowledge competencies listed in b) and the sixteen (16) elective courses. This self-assessment will be required of all applicants, however BC graduates are able to look at the Assessment Grid by PSI to more easily assess their program with BCAK requirements.

Work Integrated Learning Requirements (WIL)

Applicants who graduated within the past 5 years are required to have completed one hundred (100) cumulative hours of work integrated learning (WIL) / clinical work experience.

WIL experience must be in a professional client-based kinesiology setting. Of the 100 required hours, 50 hours (50%) must be completed in a clinical (healthcare) practice setting, working with clients under the supervision of a BCAK Practicing Member in good standing, with 2 or more years of experience, or a regulated health professional (such as a physical therapist (PT), occupational therapist (OT), Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), respiratory therapist (RT), registered nurse (RN), Nurse Practitioner (NP), medical doctor (MD)).  Special consideration of clinical research practice experience may be accepted at the sole discretion of the BCAK.

For example, clinical WIL experience hours can be in one or more of the following areas:

• Orthopaedics
• Traumatic Brain Injury (neurology)
• Chronic Pain Management
• Ergonomics/Biomechanics
• Occupational Health/Disability Management
• Special Populations Rehabilitation (Cardiac Rehabilitation, COPD, Diabetes Care, etc.)

WIL experience hours consisting of sport coaching (game play/strategy), administration, clerical, reception, marketing, social media management, or related tasks are not recognized by the BCAK for WIL requirements.

Applicants must submit a completed BCAK Work Integrated Learning Record for each internship, fieldwork, practicum, professional practice and/or Cooperative Education (Co-Op) placement they complete.  Volunteer hours may be considered if they meet BCAK work experience standards.

The BCAK, at its sole discretion, will determine whether an applicant’s work integrated learning meets the BCAK requirements.

Professional Work Experience Requirements (PWE)

Applicants who graduated more than 5 years ago are required to have Professional Work Experience (PWE).

PWE must be within the scope of practice as defined by the BCAK and should support the competencies and abilities to perform tasks typically related to professional practice.  The work experience must be in the role of a kinesiologist and must include working with a variety of populations.

Required Hours of Experience

1. A minimum of 1500 work hours in the field of kinesiology in the past 2 years, with 300 of those hours in Canada.  The 300 hours can be as an employee or intern under the direct supervision of another BCAK Practicing or Non-Practicing Member who has a minimum of 2 years full-time experience.

OR

1. A minimum of 5000 work hours in the field of kinesiology in the past 5 years, with 300 of those hours in Canada in the past 2 years.  The 300 hours can be as an employee or intern under the direct supervision of another BCAK Practicing or Non-Practicing Member who has a minimum of 2 years full-time experience.

Applicants will be required to submit a notarized BCAK Professional Work Experience Record.  All experience entries, including hours completed, must be verifiable through employment, service, payroll, or letter of reference (applies to volunteer work only). Tax records may be considered for work completed as an independent contractor, in the absence of other verifiable proof. Volunteer work cannot account for more than 300 hours of the total work experience.

The BCAK, at its sole discretion, will determine whether an applicant’s work experience meets requirements.

Satisfactory performance on the BCAK’s Professional Competency Exam (PCE) is one of the requirements for professional membership approval.

Exam Eligibility

Applicants must meet the academic and work experience requirements as determined by the BCAK to be eligible to write the PCE.  The determination of whether an applicant meets the standards is at the sole discretion of the BCAK.

Satisfactory Performance (Passing Score)

A minimum score of 60% is required to successfully pass the exam.

Exam Content

Examination questions are based on the knowledge and skills detailed in the BCAK’s Essential Competencies of Practice (Core Competencies).

Exam Format

The exam is a multiple-choice question (MCQ), online (electronically delivered) exam, consisting of single answer and case study questions, totaling 175 single answer questions (marks).

Exam Delivery Methods

BCAK will deliver the exam through:

1. Select BC Invigilation Network test centres, which have been approved by the BCAK (contact the BCAK for information).
2. Post-secondary institutions’ Kinesiology Departments which have been approved to host exams for their graduating students.  Note: At the date of publication, there are no approved PSIs – however, there are a number of Test Centres on the BCAK approved invigilation list which are associated with PSIs.

Timeline for Successful Completion and Maximum Attempts / Sittings

Applicants have 365 calendar days (1 year) to successfully complete the exam and are permitted a maximum of three (3) attempts / sittings.  The initiation of the 365 day period is the date that the BCAK sends the applicant the email inviting them to write the exam.

Examination Fee

Applicants must pay the Examination Fee, as listed in our Fees Schedule. If additional exam sittings (attempts) are required, the applicant must pay the full Examination Fee for each sitting (note there is a limit of three lifetime exam sittings/attempts).  Invigilation centre fees are at the expense of the applicant and will apply to each sitting (in addition to the BCAK examination fee).

Exam Preparation Support Materials

Eligible applicants will be sent an invitation to complete the exam which will include instructions on how to register and prepare for the examination, along with additional resources and documentation to assist in exam preparation.

The BCAK strives to ensure its members have access to a broad range of employment opportunities in both clinical and non-clinical work environments. For this reason, BCAK requires applicants to have completed a 4-year kinesiology (or equivalent) stream that prepares graduates for a career in professional kinesiology practice.

Kinesiologists in BC are recognized by the BC Ministry of Health as Allied Health Professionals, and by other stakeholders such as ICBC and several third-party health benefits providers, to provide care to clinical populations. This requires kinesiologists entering practice to have the entry level competencies necessary for clinical practice, including the knowledge and competency to work in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary healthcare settings.

In turn, this sets the standards for BCAK membership and necessitates that those seeking professional membership with the BCAK under the title of 'Practicing or Non-Practicing Kinesiologist', demonstrate the entry level knowledge and skills required to work in a clinical environment. The characteristics include a strong understanding of evidence-based practice, professional ethics, and the laws related to the provision of healthcare services to the people of BC.

Support Document Submission:

Applicants have 120 calendar days from the Application Date (see Terms and Definitions) to ensure that all required supporting documents are submitted.  Should an applicant not submit documents in this 120 calendar day period, the application will expire, and the applicant must pay another application fee to reactivate the application.  If the BCAK member standards or application procedures change during that period, the applicant must apply under the new standards and procedures.

Required support documents will differ for each applicant, depending on where they received their education and the year they graduated. Details are provided under the various application pathways.

Criminal Records Clearance Letter Through Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP):

Applicants must have a Criminal Record Clearance Letter allowing them to work with children and vulnerable adults under the Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA). Typical processing times average 4 – 6 weeks and are not controlled or influenced by the BCAK. Once you have submitted your application, contact the office@bcak.bc.ca to request a secure CRC link is sent to you from the CRRP.

Document Review by BCAK

Applications are processed in the order that they are received.  Processing time varies depending on the parameters of the application, a review of documents provided (and the potential for document clarification), and the total volume of applications that the BCAK must process at the time. The following are approximate times required by the BCAK to determine if an applicant is eligible to write the PCE. This time starts at the point that an applicant has submitted all required documents.

• Canadian applicants who graduated within past 5 years = 25 business days
• Canadian applicants who graduated more than 5 years ago = 40 business days
• International applicants who graduated within past 5 years = 45 business days
• International applicants who graduated more than 5 years ago = 60 business days

Professional Competency Exam

Applicants must successfully achieve a passing score within 365 days (1-year) of being notified by the BCAK of their eligibility to sit the PCE.  A maximum of three (3) PCE sittings/attempts are permitted during this one-year period.

Membership Activation

Upon meeting all membership requirements, applicants will receive a notice from BCAK inviting them to activate their Professional Membership (Practicing or Non-Practicing).  Applicants have 30 calendar days to activate their membership by paying applicable membership dues - failure to activate may result in a re-application being required.

Review BCAK Professional Membership and Other Fees

Fair Practices Policy

The BCAK has established fair practice policies for those who apply for membership. The policies are based on the following principles:

1. Set and administer consistent, reasonable standards for members, and those who wish to become members,
2. Establish standards based on education, experience, examinations, character and currency of qualifications. This ensures that all BCAK affiliated professional kinesiologists have similar skills and qualifications upon becoming a member, although in practice they may add to them. This helps to reduce risks that might be posed to the public and consumers of kinesiology services from BCAK members based on a lack of competency or skills.
3. Establish procedures and standards which are respected by existing regulated health professions in B.C. and other parts of Canada.
4. Ensure consistent and transparent requirements and outputs, while ensuring an entry level of competency and public safety is maintained.
5. Harmonize the assessment of qualifications, so that assessments are completed in a consistent and fair manner in B.C. and to promote these standards to other areas of Canada where the practice of kinesiology is not regulated. This helps to improve labour mobility of kinesiologists and provide national consistency for competence in the absence of provincial health professions regulation.
6. Align the processes used to accredit practitioners with the requirements of the Health Professions Act of BC and the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), including meeting any standards set by government for fair business practices under the Business Practice and Consumer Protection Act of BC.
7. Promote clarity of expectations related to BCAK membership, while allowing for improved communication of the process requirements for both Canadian and internationally educated and trained applicants. This principle helps to facilitate mutual understanding and agreed use of consistent terminology. It provides benchmarks for quality control and assurance related to the assessment process and outcomes of professional membership decisions. It also aims to facilitate efficiency in the processes used by the BCAK.

The principles have been developed to harmonize admissions methods and policies and to create a more transparent policy for both domestically and internationally trained applicants seeking BCAK membership. They have been designed with the basic principles of fairness, transparency, timeliness, consistency, and reliability embedded throughout.

All professional members must agree to abide by the professional standards set by the BCAK for conduct and professional practice. As an applicant, it is important that you comprehend the standards and ask questions when appropriate, as you will be expected to apply the standards and guidelines related to professional conduct, including ensuring you remain competent in the Essential Competencies of Practice, and otherwise act in accordance with the professional practice standards and code of ethics.

Members who breach the BCAK standards can be disciplined, suspended or expelled by the BCAK in accordance with the society’s bylaws. The severity of a breach will dictate the extent to which the BCAK takes action, and to protect the reputation of other members.

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All memberships expire on December 31st of the year to which the membership applies. Memberships do not run continuous for 365 days from the date of membership purchase.

Memberships which are not renewed by the due date become ‘not in good standing’. (Must be renewed by December 31st to continue uninterrupted for the next year).

If a membership expires (lapses), additional fees may apply.  If a membership lapses for more than 30 days, the past member will need to apply for reinstatement.

Reinstatement is available for up to 3 years after last being a member in good standing. Past members who return 3 or more years after last being a member in good standing must initiate a new application and meet the admission standards currently in effect.

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