Degree Requirement

• 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.

BCAK 'clinical kinesiology' degree curriculum requirements include:

1) General Curriculum requirement

75% of the coursework completed in a standard 4-year undergraduate degree (typically 30 of 40* required courses) in Canada must be kinesiology courses. The 30 required courses may include up to a maximum of 4 foundational science, psychology or health sciences courses required for successful completion a given PSI’s kinesiology degree program. (*based on the “Carnegie Unit” system)

2) Course Curriculum requirement

a) Completion of a minimum of fourteen (14) 3-credit* courses (typically one course in each subject) for each of the following:

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 (Pathophysiology)

b) Completion of an additional sixteen (16) 3-credit* elective courses in kinesiology, inclusive of up to four foundational science, math, psychology, health or health sciences courses required to successfully complete a given PSI’s kinesiology degree program.

Notes:

• Accommodations to the above requirement will be accepted where two core subject are combined into a single 3-credit course, however a second course in one of the two subjects must also be completed. See the BCAK Course Assessment Policies and Procedures for details.
• Applicants whose PSI that does not follow the Carnegie Unit System must provide details on the course unit system utilized by their PSI to allow the BCAK to assess and determine equivalency.
• Applicants who completed their education outside of British Columbia must assess the courses in their program to verify they have completed the required fourteen (14) 3-credit course subjects and have covered the required knowledge competencies/key performance indicators (KPIs) either within the fourteen core courses or the combination of the fourteen core and sixteen elective courses. Completion of the self-assessment is required for all applicants. BC degree program graduates should refer to the PSI assessment grid(s) for more information.

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. Remaining non-clinical hours must be completed in an environment where you are directly supervised by one of the following certified exercise professionals: Athletic Therapist (CATA-CAT), Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CSEP-CEP/ACSM-CEP), or a Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA-CSCS).

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

• Orthopaedics
• Neurological Conditions (such as traumatic brain injury rehabilitation)
• Chronic Pain Management
• Ergonomics/Occupational Biomechanics
• Occupational Health and Safety/Disability Management
• Special Populations Rehabilitation (such as, Cardiorespiratory, Endocrine (diabetes), developmental disabilities)

Volunteer experiences may be considered if they meet BCAK work experience standards. Submitted volunteer hours must meet the WIL requirements outlined above. If your volunteer work cannot be completed under the supervision of a regulated health professional (PT, OT, MD, RT) or current BCAK Practicing Kinesiologist, consideration may be given to work completed under certified exercise professionals for supervision purposes, including: Athletic Therapist (CATA-CAT), Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CSEP-CEP/ACSM-CEP), or for non-clinical work experience, a Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA-CSCS).

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

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

Professional Work Experience Requirements (PWE)

Applicants who graduated more than 5 years ago are required to have completed 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

• 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

• 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 completion of the BCAK’s Professional Competency Exam (PCE) is a requirement 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 Completion (Passing Score)

A minimum score of 60% is required for satisfactory completion of the exam.

Exam Content

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

Exam Format

The exam is a computer based multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam, consisting of single answer and case study questions, totaling 175 single answer questions (marks) - not including the questions related to name, date, exam location, etc.

Exam Location and Delivery Methods

Applicants who are approved to write the PCE may complete their exam through:

1. Select BC Invigilation Network test centres, which have been approved by the BCAK (contact the BCAK for information).
2. PSI Kinesiology Departments which have applied for and been approved to host PCE sittings for their graduating students.

Note: Currently, there are no approved PSIs – however several of the select BC Invigilation Network test centres are located at PSIs.

Timeline for Successful Completion and Maximum Attempts / Sittings

Applicants have 365 calendar days (1 year) from the date of notification of their eligibility to write the PCE, to successfully complete the exam and are permitted a maximum of three (3) lifetime attempts / sittings.  Again, the 365 day timeline for completion begins on the date an applicant is sent their invitation to write the PCE.

Examination Fee

There is an examination fee charged by the BCAK for each PCE sitting. Applicants must pay the applicable examination fee, listed in our Fees Schedule. Should additional exam sittings be required (up to the maximum of 3) a separate fee must be paid for each exam sitting. Invigilation centre exam sitting fees are in addition to the BCAK fee and the responsibility of the applicant (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.

Visit our Forms and Resources page to access study resources (including a practice exam) to assist in preparation for the Professional Competency Examination (PCE).

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 applicants, depending on where they received their education and the year they graduated. Details are provided under the various application pathways.

Criminal Records Clearance Letter - Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP)

Applicants must provide a Criminal Record Clearance Letter allowing them to work with children and vulnerable adults under the Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA). Processing times average 4 – 6 weeks to complete this process and are not at the discretion of the BCAK. Once you have submitted your application, contact the office@bcak.bc.ca to request a secure CRC link be sent to you by the CRRP. Please note that the BCAK will only accept CRC letters that are received directly 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

Please note that the review may uncover the need for additional information or clarification of documents provided - this will add time to the process therefore we encourage all applicants to thoroughly read the requirements for documents in their applicant feedback.

Professional Competency Exam (PCE)

Applicants must successfully complete the examination 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 period. Applicants who not pass the exam within the defined period will be refused (declined) for membership.

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

Review BCAK Professional Membership and Other Fees

Terms and Definitions

Why Does the BCAK Require These Standards?

Fair Practices Policy

Professional Guiding Documents

Terms of Membership