Assessment Process and Outcomes

The assessment process of educational qualifications for academic certifications follows the same general steps regardless of the Mode of Certification. Please find additional details regarding each step below.

Photo Credits. Dalhousie University, School of Architecture.

Application Submission

The process begins when a candidate submits a complete application through the CACB Portal. Applicants must provide all required documentation and pay the applicable fee associated with their selected mode of certification.

Application Review and Pre-Assessment

Upon receipt of all required documents, in proper submission requirement format, and the full application fee, CACB staff review the application for completeness and conduct an initial pre-assessment. This review includes:

  • Verifying the eligibility of the institution and academic program.
  • Assigning credit hours to courses and mapping them to CES subject areas; and
  • Preparing a summary and preliminary recommendation for files requiring Assessment Committee review.

If an application is determined to be ineligible during this review, the file will be closed and no further assessment will be conducted. The applicant will be notified of the decision and refunded the application fee, less a 15% administrative fee.

Assessment Committee Review

Candidate files requiring further evaluation are referred to the Assessment Committee. These are cases where determination of compliance with one or more CES subject areas is made through Committee review.

The Assessment Committee reviews the candidate’s academic record, supporting documentation, and staff recommendations before making a certification decision. To ensure consistency and alignment with the Canadian Education Standard (CES), the Committee may also request review of any file that has been certified administratively by CACB staff.

Assessment Outcomes

The Academic Certification Committee meets monthly, typically on the last Friday of each month, to review candidate applications. Following the committee’s meeting, candidates are individually notified by the Program Coordinator of the decision, which may result in one of the following outcomes:

Full Certification: The candidate has satisfied all requirements of the Canadian Education Standard (CES). The Registrar will issue a CACB Academic Certificate confirming full certification. Candidates may proceed to the internship and licensing examination requirements established by their provincial or territorial regulatory authority.

Conditional (Provisional) Certification: The candidate is deficient in the Professional Practice CES subject area. A Provisional Certificate will be issued, allowing the candidate to register in the internship program while completing the outstanding academic requirements. The specific courses required to achieve full certification will be identified in the assessment outcome letter. Candidates are required to complete specified coursework within 18 months. Candidates may begin the internship process while holding provisional certification; however, full CACB certification must be achieved before they can complete the internship requirements and proceed to the licensing examination stage.

Certification Not Granted (Further Studies Required): The candidate has deficiencies in one or more CES subject areas outside of Professional Practice and therefore does not qualify for Provisional Certification. In these cases, certification cannot be issued at this time. The assessment outcome letter will identify the areas of deficiency and recommend specific coursework that must be completed before certification can be granted. Once the required studies have been completed, candidates may submit the necessary documentation to the CACB for reassessment in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures.

What If I Disagree with My Assessment Outcome?

Applicants who disagree with their assessment outcome have the opportunity to request a review of their assessment outcome through the Reassessment and Appeal processes. Reassessment allows candidates to submit new evidence for consideration, while the Appeal process provides a formal mechanism for challenging the Committee’s decision through review by the CACB Board.

Reassessment of Assessment Outcome

A candidate may request a reassessment within 30 days (at no additional fee) of receiving their assessment outcome. Reassessment allows the submission of new evidence or documentation that was not previously available for consideration. A maximum of two reassessments are permitted.

Formal Appeal of Assessment Outcome

A candidate may appeal the outcome within 60 days of receiving their assessment outcomes. Candidates must submit to the President of the CACB a written, duly substantiated notice of appeal, setting out in a clear, complete, and detailed manner the grounds upon which the appeal is based, together with all relevant supporting documentation and payment of the applicable appeal fee. Once a complete and admissible appeal has been received, it will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the CACB Board of Directors. The Board meets four times each year in accordance with its governance schedule. After reviewing the appeal, the CACB Board of Directors may: (1) reject the appeal; (2) refer the matter to an appeal committee established for that purpose for review; or (3) defer its decision and require the submission of additional information or documentation it deems necessary for the review of the file.