An organization that works with the regulators for nurses in Canada is urging agencies to use the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core for almost all Canadian work and visa applications.
Workers exempted from the Canadian Nurse Regulators Collaborative’s (CNRC) recommendation include those applying through the Student Direct Stream (SDS).
The recommendation covers licensed and registered practical nurses, registered nurses, and registered psychiatric nurses
“We are thrilled with this recognition, which underscores our commitment to helping aspiring professionals to demonstrate their English proficiency,” says Shileen Costain, senior director of global stakeholder relations at the publicly-traded Pearson education company.
“PTE Academic’s inclusion will support nurses in contributing their valuable skills to the Canadian healthcare system.”
The thumbs up from the CNRC comes only months after Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) accepted the Pearson Test of English at the end of January this year.
The PTE Core tests became available for these applications starting Feb. 12, joining the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests in the list of accredited English language proficiency tests for economic immigration to Canada through federal Express Entry-related programs.
PTE Core is a two-hour test taken on a computer at test centres that assesses four key English language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing and is particularly relevant for the vocational test taker, designed with a real-life, non-academic focus.
“It was created to meet Canada’s specific migration needs and the IRCC’s language proficiency requirements but could be used to assess the English proficiency of vocational test takers in any country,” notes the Pearson website.
Under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, candidates must obtain a minimum level of CLB or NCLC 7 for the first official language in all four language areas. To receive points for a second official language, candidates must meet the minimum level of CLB or NCLC 5 in all four language areas.
Under the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program, candidates must obtain a minimum level of CLB or NCLC 5 in speaking and listening abilities, and CLB or NCLC 4 in reading and writing abilities.
Under the and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, the needed language depend on the job classification under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system:
- TEER 0 or 1: CLB / NCLC 7 +
- TEER 2 or 3: CLB / NCLC 5 and 6
Canada’s Two-Tier Immigration System Offers A Lot Of Opportunity To Work Here
Canada also requires minimum language levels for citizenship and many other immigration programs, including provincial and business.
To measure the language levels, the immigration authorities use the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English and the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French.
“We are excited to roll out PTE Core to test takers across the world. It was designed to test real-life language skills and allows test takers to showcase their proficiency and be themselves in English,” said Gio Giovannelli, president of the English language learning division at Pearson, earlier this year.
“Whether people are looking to work, study or migrate to Canada, there’s a Pearson English language proficiency test that suits their requirements.”
Canada operates a two-tier immigration system which allows foreign nationals to gain their permanent residency through the Express Entry system’s FSW, FST and CEC, as well as the PNPs of the 10 Canadian provinces.
Under the Express Entry system, immigrants can apply for permanent residency online and their profiles then are ranked against each other according to a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranked candidates will be considered for an ITA for permanent residence.
Those receiving an ITA must quickly submit a full application and pay processing fees, within a delay of 90-days.
Through a network of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), almost all of Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories can also nominate skilled worker candidates for admission to Canada when they have the specific skills required by local economies. Successful candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through federal immigration authorities.
