Before you submit a professional membership application, complete a self-assessment to determine if you meet our academic and work experience requirements.

All applicants must have:

• A degree in clinical kinesiology, or a degree that is substantially equivalent to a degree in clinical kinesiology, where the degree and institution are acceptable to the BCAK,

or

• A degree in kinesiology, in addition to supplemental education and work experience in clinical kinesiology, that are acceptable to the BCAK.

Academic Requirements

1. Complete an Academic Self-Assessment. Review your post-secondary coursework to ensure it meets the academic requirements.
2. Fill Out the Academic Self-Assessment Form. Document your completed courses and match them to the required subject areas.
   • BC Graduates: Use the BC Academic Assessment Grid Sheets as a reference when completing the form.
   • Graduates from Other Canadian Provinces: Refer to the Subject Descriptions for the 14 Core Subjects to accurately assess content and place your courses in the self-assessment form.

Professional Work Experience (PWE)

1. Review the Professional Work Experience Requirements. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Professional Work Experience Requirements.
2. Complete the Professional Work Experience Record. Provide detailed descriptions of your professional experience, clearly demonstrating how your work aligns with the Essential Competencies of Practice.
3. Verify Your Experience. All entries, including total hours completed, must be verifiable through employment records, payroll documentation, or letters of reference.

Create a User Account

1. To begin your application and create a BCAK user account, click the ‘Sign Up’ button located in the top right-hand corner of the website’s home page.
2. You will be required to input your full name and primary email address to create a user account.

Fill in your Application Form

1. Access the Application Portal.  To begin or continue your application, navigate to the My Application page under the Apply for BCAK Membership heading at the top of the website.
2. Complete the Application Form. Enter your personal and educational information as required.
3. Agree to the Statement of Good Moral Character. You must read and agree to the Statement of Good Moral Character to proceed. The application submission process cannot continue until this step is completed.
4. Upload Supporting Documents (Optional). Before submitting your application and paying the application fee, you will have the option to upload supporting documents.  If you choose not to upload them documents at this stage (and/or have other documents to be submitted – e.g. official transcripts), you will be able to have them sent to the office after application submission for inclusion in your file.

Pay the Application Fee

1. After completing your application form and clicking Submit, you will be redirected to your account cart to pay the membership application fee.
2. For a full list of fees, please refer to the Fee Schedule page.

Submit Supporting Documents

1. All applicants have 120 calendar days from the date of application submission to provide all required supporting documents
2. If you do not submit all your documents within the 120-calendar day period:
   • Your application will expire
   • You will need to re-apply
   • You will be required to pay a reapplication fee
   • You will be required to meet all current application requirements and membership standards at the time of re-application

The following documents must be submitted:

a. Proof of Degree Completion. Submit one of the following for each of kinesiology-related degree:

• Legible image of your Degree Certificate(s), or
• A graduation confirmation letter that includes:
  • Name and address of your post-secondary institution
  • Your full legal name
  • Your student number
  • Degree program completed

b. Academic Self-Assessment Form

• Submit the completed Academic Self-Assessment Form from Step 1 of the Application process above.
  • BC graduates: Remember to use the BC Academic Assessment Grid Sheets as a guide.
  • Graduates from other Canadian provinces: Remember to use the Subject Descriptions for the 14 Core Subjects to complete the form.

c. Official Transcripts

• Submit official transcripts for all relevant degree programs and courses
  • Request your official transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions where relevant coursework has been completed.
  • All official transcripts must be sent directly by your post-secondary institution directly to the BCAK by email or postal mail.
  • Transcripts are only considered official if sealed and sent directly by the institution to the BCAK.
  • Unsealed, damaged, or altered transcripts will not be accepted.

d. Proof of Course Content

• Submit course outlines/syllabi for:
  • Courses not listed on the BCAK PSI Assessment Grid,
  • Practicums, seminars, special topics, and directed studies courses.
  • Courses where course prefix (and/or name), course number, or both have been changed since completing the course.
  • Contact your post-secondary institution for assistance in requesting your syllabi.
  • BCAK does not accept BC Transfer Guide Assessments – each course from the originating PSI is assessed based on full course syllabi.
  • Note course outlines/syllabi required for all relevant kinesiology courses completed outside of BC. 

e. Proof of Professional Work Experience

• Submit a completed BCAK Professional Work Experience Record detailing all relevant work experience.

f. Letter of Intent

• Your letter needs to:
  • Explain the reasons for seeking BCAK Professional Membership, and why it is important to you
  • Describe your intended area(s) of practice (see: Areas of Practice), including details that relate to your knowledge and skills as aligned to the BCAK’s Essential Competencies of Practice
  • Letters must be written in your own words. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as large language models, to prepare content are not accepted. Use of spelling and grammar tools in standard word processing applications are accepted.

g. Reference Letters

• Professional Reference Letter(s)
  • Provide up to two (2) reference letters from individuals who:
    1. Are not related to you,
    2. Have known you for more than 1 year
    3. Can attest to your professional abilities, knowledge, and interpersonal skills related to kinesiology practice

• Employment Reference Letter(s)
  • Provide at least one (1) reference letter from an employer that attests to your:
    1. Professionalism
    2. Clinical knowledge and competency
    3. Communication skills

• Volunteer/Mentorship Reference Letter (if applicable)
  • If you have completed unpaid volunteer hours or unpaid mentorship, include a reference letter verifying this experience.

h. Criminal Record Check

• Complete a Criminal Record Clearance Letter under the Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA), authorizing you to work with children and vulnerable adults.
• You are responsible for any associated fees.

Next Steps

Once all required documents are received, BCAK will assess your application to determine if you meet the academic and work experience requirements.

• If requirements are not met, you will be notified which requirements were identified as not having been satisfied.  Your application will be refused at that time.
  • You may re-apply after a minimum period of six months, only once the identified-as-missing requirements have been fulfilled.
  • Re-application will require:
    • A new application submission
      • If within three years of the first application, documents you have already submitted will not need to be re-submitted, but new documents providing proof of requirements completion will need to be submitted;
    • Payment of the re-application fee; and
    • Your re-application will need to comply with the requirements at the time of application.
• If requirements are met, you will proceed to Step 3 of the application process.

If BCAK determines that you meet all current application requirements, you will receive an invitation to register for the Professional Competency Examination.

Exams must be written at BC Invigilation Centres that are approved by the BCAK. If eligible to write the Professional Competency Exam, BCAK will provide you with a list of currently approved locations where the exam may be completed.

How to Book Your Professional Competency Exam:

1. Receive Eligibility Notification. You will receive an email confirming your eligibility to book the Professional Competency Exam.
2. Select an Invigilation Centre. Choose a centre from the list provided in the email and use the corresponding link to book your exam. Note: A booking fee will be payable directly to the invigilation centre.
3. Notify BCAK of Your Booking. Submit your exam booking details to the BCAK office a minimum of 21 business days prior to your scheduled exam date.
4. Pay the BCAK Exam Fee. BCAK will send you a unique payment link for the exam fee (separate from the invigilation centre’s booking fee). Once your fee has been paid, and you have notified the office that your exam fee has been paid, BCAK will forward your unique exam link to your selected invigilation centre.
5. Confirmation. The invigilation centre will confirm with the BCAK: your exam date, time, and receipt of your exam link. The BCAK office will notify you that your exam has been confirmed.

Preparing for the Exam

BCAK Professional Guiding Documents and study resources, including a Jurisprudence Guide, a Clinical Record Keeping and Charting Guide, and a practice exam can be found here. These materials contain information that may be included in the Professional Competency Exam.

Writing the Exam

1. The exam is delivered online and consists of 175 multiple-choice questions, including single-answer and case-based scenarios.
2. A minimum score of 60% is required to pass.  Marks will not be provided to exam writers – the test results will be identified as either Pass or Fail.
3. You have 365 calendar days (1 year) to successfully complete the exam.
4. You are permitted a maximum of three (3) attempts within this one-year period.
5. The 365-day period is initiated on the date that BCAK sends you the email advising you that you are eligible to write the exam.
6. Each exam attempt requires payment of the full exam fee, and you are also responsible for any invigilation centre fees associated with each sitting.

Exam Results

1. You will receive the results (pass or fail) of your exam within five (5) business days of writing your exam
2. Results will be sent via email from the BCAK office.
3. Please note: Exam results are final and cannot be appealed

Testing Accommodations

Requests for testing accommodations must be submitted to the BCAK at least forty-five (45) days prior to the exam date. All accommodation requests must be sent directly to the BCAK office email address for review.

To request testing accommodations, you will be required to fill out and submit the following forms:

• One to be completed by you (the exam candidate)
• One to be completed by a qualified healthcare practitioner who is currently treating you

A qualified healthcare practitioner may include a:

• Family physician,
• Nurse practitioner,
• Clinical counsellor, or
• Psychologist

Once your accommodation request is approved by BCAK, you will be responsible for selecting an invigilation centre that can meet your accommodation needs.

Missing a Scheduled Examination

1. Failure to attend a scheduled exam without prior notice is considered a failed attempt.
2. If you miss your exam due to unforeseen exceptional circumstances, you may be eligible for a same-day deferral. These requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

• To request a deferral, you must:
  • Submit written notification to the BCAK office within 24 hours of your scheduled exam time
  • Clearly outline the unforeseen exceptional circumstances that prevented your attendance
  • Include supporting documentation, such as:
    • Accident or weather-related disruptions: Provide evidence from media sources or the BC Ministry of Highways
    • Medical emergencies: Submit a doctor’s note confirming the nature and timing of the emergency

Once you have met all membership application requirements, you will receive an email from BCAK inviting you to activate your Professional Membership.

At this stage, you may choose to register as either a Practicing or Non-Practicing member. Please ensure that you understand the differences between these two membership types as changing types can be costly.

Pay Your Professional Membership Fees

1. To activate your membership, you must pay the applicable membership dues within 30 days of receiving your approval email from BCAK.
2. This 30-day period begins on the date BCAK confirms that you have successfully passed the exam and met all requirements for Professional Membership.
3. If you do not plan to activate your membership within this timeframe, you must submit a written request for an extension to the BCAK office.
4. Extension requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are granted at the sole discretion of BCAK – note extensions cannot be granted for more than another 30 days.

Membership Activation Timeline and Exam Validity

Please note that your application approval is based on the standards in place at the time that your application was received.

As per point 1 above, you have 30 days from the date of your membership approval to activate your membership by completing the purchase.

If you do not activate your membership within this timeframe, you will be required to:

• Pay a re-application fee
• Undergo a re-review of your application
• Meet the current membership requirements in effect at the time of your re-application and request for activation
• Complete the Professional Competency Exam if more than one (1) year from the date you last wrote the exam

Note: The Professional Competency Exam results are valid for one (1) year from the date of exam completion. If you do not activate your membership within the initial 30-days time-frame provided and choose to re-apply after the one-year exam validity period has passed, you will be required to retake and pass the Professional Competency Exam, based on the version in effect at the time of your re-application.

Insurance Requirements

1. As a Practicing member, you are required to maintain appropriate insurance coverage. Please refer to the Practicing Member Insurance Requirements page for full details.
2. Note:  Insurance is not required for Non-Practicing members.