Financial Support (Bursaries)
Through Health Match BC, the Province will assist Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) pursuing registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) with financial support through a combination of fee waivers and bursaries (reimbursements). These supports will help to offset the costs of an IEN’s international credential assessment, English language testing, skill evaluation, and educational upgrading. Financial supports of approximately $16,000 may be available depending on the assessments and/or upgrading the IEN is required to complete.
Internationally Educated Nurse Bursary Program
Starting January 31, 2023, there is a new process for internationally educated nurses who are pursuing BCCNM registration, which includes fee waivers that will eliminate some upfront costs. The following financial supports are available:
Registration Requirement
IENs who applied to BCCNM before January 31, 2023
IENs who start the registration process from January 31, 2023
Credential Assessment
Up to $1,200 CAD for fees related to an accepted credential assessment application.
English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT)
Two BCCNM-acceptable English Language Proficiency Tests up to $400 for each attempt.
BCCNM Application
Up to $690 for costs associated with the BCCNM initial application fee.
Fee waived with signed Return of Service (ROS)
Inspire Global Assessments/Inspire Évaluations Mondiales (formerly the Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS))
A one-time payment of up to $3,150 CAD for the Inspire Global Assessments/Inspire Évaluations Mondiales (formerly the Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS)) competency assessment application.
Free for IENs
Inspire Global Assessments/Inspire Évaluations Mondiales (formerly the Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS)) Travel Stipend
Up to $1000 CAD reimbursement to offset some of the costs associated with travel and accommodation. Available to residents of British Columbia only; distance conditions apply.
Transitional Education
Up to $10,000 CAD for tuition fees related to education an IEN is referred to complete by the BCCNM.
Nurses advised by BCCNM to retake the BSN program in its entirety and LPNs that want to take RN upgrade education programs are not eligible for the Transitional Education bursary.
Eligibility Criteria
For Inspire Global Assessments/Inspire Évaluations Monscsdcdiales (formerly the Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS)) and BCCNM fee waivers, applicants must make an upfront commitment by signing a Return of Service (ROS) agreement with the BC Ministry of Health. * To request an ROS agreement for fee waivers, please email info@nursingjobsbc.ca For all other IEN bursaries (reimbursements), in addition to committing to a Return of Service agreement, applicants must also meet the following criteria:
- NOT currently hold (or have previously held) registration as a Registered Nurse in any other province or territory in Canada.
- BC must be the only province or territory the applicant has applied for registration as a Nurse. If the applicant has active applications for registration in any other Canadian province or territory, those applications must be withdrawn.
- Have applied for registration with BCCNM (for applications prior to January 31, 2023) or to Inspire Global Assessments/Inspire Évaluations Mondiales (formerly the Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS)) (for applications January 31, 2023, and beyond).
- Have a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN). Applicants without a valid SIN may be eligible for bursary support but will not receive payment until they have a valid Canadian SIN.
- Have incurred costs on or after May 1, 2021, and have or will complete the BCCNM registration process on or after May 1, 2022.
Important Notes: Recipients of the Access to Practical Nursing (APN) Education Incentive Bursary are not eligible for additional funds through the IEN Bursary program.
Note: This information is subject to change. For the most up to date information, please contact us.
