Health care assistant certificate

Step 1 of 8

• English 11. Requirement varies by school (Vancouver Community College, Douglas College, Camosun College, and 23 others). Strictest requirement: C.
• Grade 10 completion or mature student status

Step 2 of 8

• English 12. Requirement varies by school (Capilano University, Selkirk College, University of the Fraser Valley). Strictest requirement: C.
• BC High School Graduation (Dogwood Diploma). Requirement varies by school (Gateway College, Cambria College, Capilano University, and 5 others). Strictest requirement: standard completion.
• Grade 12. Requirement varies by school (Okanagan College, Edison College, Heritage Community College, and 3 others). Strictest requirement: standard completion.

Step 3 of 8

• Standard First Aid with Basic Life Support (CPR-C / BLS)
• Clear criminal record check under the BC Criminal Records Review Act
• Or standardized English assessment (e.g. IELTS, CELPIP, Duolingo) meeting BC Care Aide Registry standards
• Minimum 18 years of age and Grade 12 graduation (or mature student status)
• with 3 years full-time instruction in English)
• Or standardized English assessment meeting BC Care Aide Registry requirements (e.g. ACCUPLACER, CELPIP, IELTS)
• Or standardized English proficiency test score meeting BC Care Aide Registry requirements
• Or standardized English assessment meeting BC Care Aide Registry standards (e.g. IELTS, CELPIP)
• Or standardized English assessment (IELTS Academic 6.0 or CELPIP)
• Or standardized English proficiency test score meeting BC Care Aide Registry standards
• Or standardized English proficiency test score meeting Registry standards
• BC Care Aide Registry compliant English language proficiency standard
• Or approved English language proficiency assessment meeting Registry requirements
• Or recognized English test meeting BC Care Aide Registry standards
• English language competency meeting BC Care Aide Registry standard
• BC Care Aide Registry compliant English proficiency documentation
• Or recognized English test meeting BC Care Aide Registry standard
• English language competency meeting BC Care Aide Registry requirements
• BC Care Aide Registry compliant English proficiency standard

Step 4 of 8

• Apply online via EducationPlannerBC to public colleges or directly to private career colleges
• Intake terms start monthly at private colleges and in September, January, and May at public colleges
• Submit high school transcripts and complete English assessment meeting Registry standards
• Attend an information session and submit clinical placement clearance documents

Step 5 of 8

• 6 to 8 months of full-time classroom study and laboratory simulation
• Foundations for health care practice, anatomy, and gentle care communication
• Personal care skills, dementia guidance, and mechanical patient transfers
• Supervised clinical practice placements in residential care and community home health

Step 6 of 8

• Camosun College — 27 weeks (About $3,200 for the whole program)
• Capilano University — 28 weeks (About $4,500 for the whole program)
• Coast Mountain College — 29 weeks (About $2,200 for the whole program)
• Collège Éducacentre — 28 weeks (About $3,400 for the whole program)
• College of New Caledonia — 28 weeks ($0)
• College of the Rockies — 27 weeks (About $2,500 for the whole program)
• Douglas College — 28 weeks (About $4,200 per year)
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University — 28 weeks (About $2,500 per level)
• and 28 more, see the list below

Step 7 of 8

• Registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry

Step 8 of 8

• Explore Health Care Assistant wages, job outlook, and career pathways