Applicant Questions
- Where can I find the application requirements for Professional Membership?
Please refer to the information within the Academic Requirements, Work Integrated Learning/Work Experience Requirements, and Professional Competency Exam Requirements tabs on our Professional Membership page. - Where can I find the application requirements for an Academic Membership?
Please refer to our Academic Membership page for more details on the application requirements for Academic Membership. - What is the difference between Professional Membership and Academic Membership?
Professional membership is designed for individuals who have graduated from a clinical Kinesiology undergraduate degree program recognized by the BCAK and who are seeking to enter the field to work as a BCAK Practicing Kinesiologist. Academic membership is best suited for students who are currently in enrolled in a full-time clinical Kinesiology undergraduate degree program in BC and will eventually be seeking Professional membership to enter the field to begin working as a BCAK Practicing Kinesiologist. - Do I need to create a BCAK account before I begin my membership application?
Yes, you will be required to create a BCAK user account before opening and submitting your membership application. - How do I create a BCAK account?
Navigate to, and click on, the Sign Up button in the top right-hand corner of this page and you will be redirected to the sign up page where you will be required to fill in your personal information to complete the process. We recommend that you use an email address that you currently have access to when creating your BCAK account. Once you have completed the sign up process, you will receive an email with a link which you can click on to create a password for your BCAK account. - How do I open a membership application?
Ensure that you are logged into your BCAK account, navigate to your My Application page and proceed with the application submission process. - What documents should I submit with my membership application?
Although not required during application submission, we recommend that you submit your degree certificate and/or proof of graduation during your initial application submission. Any submitted documents must be in the form of a PDF file. Submitted documents must be legible and easily readable, in proper orientation and in colour if they were issued in colour. You will be required to resubmit documents that do comply with this standard. Any documents not submitted at this step can be sent to office@bcak.bc.ca after you have submitted your membership application. - What order should I follow to complete and submit my membership application and supporting documents?
1. Review - Confirm the membership requirements, ensuring to the best of your ability that you understand each of the requirements, including the self-assessment process. If you are unsure of a requirement or step, please email the BCAK office for assistance.
2. Set up a User Account & Pay the Application Fee - Once this is complete, you can upload any required documents in your possession that are to submitted by you (the applicant). The first documents to be completed during the application process is the Good Moral Character Declaration and Self Assessment form, other documents typically include course descriptions, proof of graduation/certificate, work experience/history forms reference letters, language proficiency test results, as may be required. (Note: there is no application fee for Academic membership application.)
3. Confirm Receipt of Payment - Ensure that you have received a confirmation email from the BCAK titled "Your application has been submitted" (Check your spam/junk email folder if it is not in your inbox). If you do not receive this email within 24 hours of submitting your payment, please email the BCAK office.
4. Wait for your application file to be updated and follow the sequence of documentation submission outlined in your applicant feedback section - I have submitted my membership application, now what?
Once you have submitted your application, please allow 2-3 business days for the office to update your application file and send you an update regarding your application via our no-reply email system. In this email update, you will have access to a link which can open to be redirected to your membership application page (you will first be prompted to log into your BCAK account if you have not done so already). On your application page, you will see an Applicant Feedback section which outlines what remaining supporting documents you are required to submit for your membership application, along with instructions and links to forms (if applicable) to be submitted. If you have any further questions about which documents you are required to submit for your application, please contact the office at office@bcak.bc.ca. - Am I able to scan and submit copies of my official transcripts for the application that are in my possession?
No, regardless of whether you are a Canadian educated or an internationally educated applicant, transcripts must come directly from the issuing institution.
If you completed some or all of your education outside of Canada, your transcripts must be sent directly to the foreign credential evaluation service (ICES or WES) and verified by them. Only in situations where an applicant is applying after having been granted refugee status or asylum by the Government of Canada or where international relations do not exist between Canada and your country of education, where documents are not attainable, will documents held by the applicant be considered for application. These documents must be notarized by a commissioner for taking oaths in Canada or a notary public verifying the documents are true original documents or copies of true original documents. You will then need to provide these documents to the foreign credential evaluation service for review. - I have finished my undergraduate coursework but have not yet graduated. Am I able to apply for Professional Membership?
Yes. Instead of a submitting a copy of your degree/diploma, you are required to submit a degree completion and verification of application to graduate letter issued and signed by your educational institution. The letter must be uploaded by you to your online application. If your application has been submitted, you may send this document 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 two (2) things, firstly, that you have completed all the required coursework for your clinical kinesiology degree and secondly, that you have applied to graduate at the next available graduation ceremony held by the PSI. - I transferred between post-Secondary institutions when completing my degree, do I need to request official transcripts from each school I attended?
Yes, official transcripts are required for all kinesiology related courses completed, whether at one or more institutions. If you are still unsure, contact the office. - I am joining part way through the year, am I eligible for pro-rated PD requirements when I renew my membership for the following year?
Yes!
The annual Continuing Professional Development CPD requirements are pro-rated for first year members renewing their membership in the second year, based on their membership start date.
The Pro-rated 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 CPD 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 Professional Development (CPD) 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 professional development 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". - My application has been approved and I graduated this year, why is the system asking me to log professional development credits?
Continuing Professional development (CPD) 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, new members will be required to enter a PD credit waiver. Following approval and during completion of the payment and registration process, newly approved applicants will be asked to confirm the "First year of membership PD 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 has been applied, CREDITS EARNED in the previous year will show 20/20 credits and you will be able to proceed to the next step of registration process.
