All the Steps

You can head to our competency self assessment page to review your competencies against the requirements. 

You will be able to collate your total score to see where you land with equivalency. 

Self Assessment Test HereNOCP Self Assessment

Here you will find a collection of resources and documents you can use as supporting evidence for competencies which may have been highlighted as gaps in your clinical practice when using the assessment tool. 

If you undertake one of the below courses, providing you take it with an approved provider, this should be accepted. 

NOCP 5.1.h – Utilize airway devices requiring visualization of vocal cords and introduced endotracheally.

NOCP 5.5.r  – Monitor Chest Tubes

NOCP 5.1.l – Conduct Surgical Cricothyroidotomy

NOCP 5.5.k – Conduct Cardioversion  – ALS Course UK 

NOCP 5.5.l – Conduct Transcutaneous Pacing –ALS Course UK 

NOCP 5.5.o – Provide Routine Care For a Patient with a Urinary Catheter

NOCP 5.5.p – Provide Routine Care For a Patient with Ostomy Drainage System

NOCP 5.5.t – Conduct Oral Tube Insertion

NOCP 5.5.t – Conduct Nasal Gastric Tube Insertion

NOCP 5.5.u – Conduct Urinary Catheterization 

NOCP 5.8.g – Administer medication via endotracheal route – This could be covered in an ALS course, but it has been removed from clinical practices in a number of countries for a number of years.

You may have identified gaps in your medications. If you use and adapt one of the below templates for submission, this will the meet requirements.

Adenosine – Med Gap Paper

Lidocaine – Med Gap Paper

Our advice would be to gather all of the required information and evidence required for a complete submission. This includes providing evidence for any competencies and medications which you have identified as gaps.

COPR’s assessment process now consists of four steps.

1. Complete the Initial Application Form – $50
2. Competency Self-Assessment Tool within your account.
3. Eligibility Assessment Application Form within your account – $150
4. Applicant File Review

Once you have everything, you will then be able to assemble the application using the online COPR submission tool. Submitting your application in a completed state will allow for a complete assessment, and reduce overall processing time, as you will not have to follow up with additional requirements. 

Additional requirements have now been added in conjunction with the NOCP competency analysis. 

• • Course outlines or curriculums
  • Verification of Currency in Practice
  • Credential Authentication Report – Needed for immigration visa also – $550
  • Language Proficiency Requirements – Needed for immigration visa too – $350
  • Letter of Regulatory Standing (if applicable)
  • Verification of Employment (if applicable)
  •  To verify regulatory standing and/or employment, the following electronic forms must be completed and submitted directly to COPR by the regulator and/or employer.
  •  Verification of Regulatory Standing 
  •  Verification of Employment
  • All documents must be translated and uploaded/submitted in English or French dependent on the jurisdiction the applicant is seeking registration/licensure/certification in.

Upon completion of those steps, COPR will provide a summary of assessment findings to the respective provincial paramedic regulator for consideration. Applicants will then be contacted by the regulator regarding completion of provincial regulatory requirements. It should be noted that regulatory requirements differ in each provincial jurisdiction. It is at this point that any additional gaps can be discussed or requested for completion should any be missing. 

For more information click on the COPR Assessment of International Applicants Handbook.

If you have submitted a successful application, you will then be required to take an online jurisprudence exam with the provincial regulator. 

If you did not get invited to take the jurisprudence exam, it may have been determined that you have skill and knowledge gaps based on your submission. You may be required to submit information and evidence for additional clinical skill competencies.  The most common gaps from can be found in the competency resources section. 

Obtaining your driving license in BC can be a two-step process. The first part needs to be completed prior to your move. 

The ICBC has reciprocal agreements with most countries. However, prior to your arrival in BC, you will need to ensure you have requested and hold a paper copy of your full driving history (record), which must be obtained from your issuing country. 

Obtaining your normal driving license is a simple process, which is undertaken at a local office. However, obtaining your class 4 unrestricted (required to drive an ambulance) can be a long process.  Once you have your class 5, you will need to apply for your class 4 unrestricted. It is at this point you will be required to present your paper driving history. Once you’re eligible, you will need to take your theory test (straightforward), and then hire a driving instructor for the practical.

There are a lot of driving schools in Vancouver. However, after weeks of calling around explaining that we can already drive ambulances, we found a company who was willing to help at a very good price, and who understood our predicament.

On completion of your driving assessment, you will also be required to undertake a medical examination.

Total Costs Approximately:

First 2-year license (for non-learner drivers moving to B.C.)  = $31

Knowledge Test = $15

Road Test Class 4 = $40

Lesson and vehicle costs = $400est

Medical Exam = $150est

Medical Exam Process Fee Class 4 = $28

Total Costs = $700-$850

Once you have your licence, you can now apply for jobs.

Paramedicine is currently undergoing a massive transition in Canada with plenty of opportunities emerging. This will see new roles, activation models, services and community health care all becoming integrated, to enhance patient care.

BC Emergency Health Services

BCEHS is the biggest employer of Paramedics in BC and often posts positions for international applicants for Advanced Care Paramedic positions.  You can also apply for a PCP position as an external applicant and apply internally for ACP and CCP positions as they come up. Covering an area of almost one million square kilometres, they are the largest provider of emergency health care in Canada and one of the largest in North America.   See here for up to date employment opportunities.  

For more information on the BCEHS external application process, click here. 

Canada is yet to see Paramedics integrate into the wider healthcare system. Currently, there are no roles or positions within hospitals or health care centres, although this may change in the near future.

Justice Institue of British Columbia

If you have experience in education, or if you are interested in Paramedic education, the Justice Institute of British Columbia provides programs in EMR, PCP, and ACPs in BC. With a variety of training courses and campuses, opportunities for employment may be available to those who are passionate and who hold the appropriate qualifications.  Paramedic education is currently under development in BC, as the province is starting to align with the Paramedic Association of Canada 2025 vision of Paramedic Degrees.  Click here for more details. 

Alberta Health Services

Alberta Health Services (AHS) continues to hire international professionals.

Check out their careers Page here 

Nova Scotia Emergency Health Services

Nova Scotia has applications and posting available. Contact them via their website here. 

Private Industry

Outside of the ambulance service and education, opportunities for employment can also be found in industry. This can include local film sets,  Search and Rescue, through to rural and remote mining and oil operations, which are run by private companies.  You will need additional qualifications to apply for industry positions.

Moving to Canada and getting the correct visa/permit takes a lot of navigating. Luckily, many provinces currently have Paramedics on the required list of professions.

If you have a valid job offer, click here for a detailed walkthrough guide.

Over 30 years of age:

If you are over the age of 30, your best route will be to apply as a skilled worker through the federal skilled worker program from outside of the country.

Under 30 years of age:

If you are under the age of thirty, you will be eligible to apply for an International Experience Canada (IEC) visa, which gives people the ability to live and travel around Canada for two years. You will need to make sure you apply to have the medical restrictions lifted by having a medical at an approved center.  Once you have this, you can work for any organization. Once you have worked full time for 12 months with evidence and other required documentation, you will be able to apply for express entry, which will see you eligible to apply for your Permanent Residency from within the country.

Provincial Nominee Program:

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) can be used as an alternative, or in conjunction with, the Federal Skilled Worker Program. It does require the support of an eligible BC employer, and all BC licensing must be obtained prior to applying.  This would potentially tie you to an organization for up to two years.

Immigration Services:

There is the ability to use immigration services to assist you with your application or for some advice. The one successfully used by one of the authors is called Whistler Immigration.  They have supported applications for both IEC, bridging work Permit and Permanent Residency and Citizenship. They are very efficient and great at communication over email, which means you can use them anywhere in the world.

An initial consultation with them will help you understand the Canadian immigration system and requirements. The cost for consultation, including an Immigration Roadmap that will help you navigate the application process is $262.50 CAD (£150.00). You may also choose to hire Whistler Immigration to complete the application on your behalf and assist you through the entire process.

Fees for these services vary depending on the circumstances of each individual and are all fixed rate (no hourly billing)”.

It certainly took the worry out of moving and gave us confidence of being able to meet all the requirements for work. 

Additional Fees Associated with Permanent Immigration:

Medicals: $380

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) Language Test $350.00

World Education Services (WES) Credential Evaluation =  $550 + costs of sending copies of transcripts from university directly to the head office.

The BC Experience

Finding somewhere to live in Vancouver and parts of BC can be quite challenging. 

We would suggest you find a short-term Airbnb or listing on craigslist, which you can pay for from your home country somewhere central to Vancouver initially.

Once you know more about your employment and the areas, you will be able to search and look for housing here a lot easier. You will have also set up your bank account by then, which will allow you to pay the rent using the preferred method.

Everyone working in Canada, whether they are Canadian, a permanent resident or those who are on a work permit, are required to have a social insurance number (SIN). This can be obtained at any service Canada office.

You will need to present original documents and work permits. 

You will also use your SIN number as your tax identifier, which you will need to provide to your employer. 

You can find more information here. 

Banking in Canada can be costly, with lots of hidden fees, as well as the continued use of cheques (which you have to pay for). Prior to opening an account, do your homework and see which ones have the best deals. A lot of banks offer great deals for people who are entering the country. Don’t be afraid to push them and negotiate, they want your business.  To set up an account, you will need your work permit, SIN, valid home address and ID.

Check out this comparison site for more info. 

As you will be new to the country, you will also have to establish a new credit score. This will make applications and bills a lot easier. You can build one up within 6 – 12 months. 

If you bank with HSBC in your own country, depending on your account, you can also transfer your credit score, which will give you instant access to credit cards, loans/mortgages/lines of credit, which may help provide more flexibility earlier. If you don’t, you could set up and transfer your accounts in your own country prior to the move. You can access your accounts and move finances around freely.

The BC Experience – MSP

You will not be eligible for coverage under the medical services plan until you have been a resident of the province for three months. You will need to ensure you have temporary medical insurance in the meantime.

Once you become eligible, you can apply. More information can be found here. 

You will need a copy of your work permit and ID (Passports/driving licence) to support your application. Once you get a job, this comes out of your wages.

Chances are you will be moving with your own unlocked phone.

Be warned, cell plans are expensive. Again do your homework when you get here and look at which plans offer the best price and coverage in the province. You will need a bank account or credit card as well as an address to set up a monthly plan. 

Whilst your income tax is removed from your pay bi-weekly, you are still required to submit a personal tax return document for the calendar year (Jan-Dec).

You may find that you either get a refund or owe money pending on your levels of income and interests. If you have any outside income from your own country, you will need to declare this as income earnt here. 

You can work through this online and make your own submission. However, we would recommend the use of an accountant for your first year or two so as not to compromise your PR process.

More information here. 

The BC Experience

The ICBC has a monopoly on car insurance in BC, which can make it pretty expensive.

However, if you gather your car insurance history and get the paper documents proving your no claims, this can give you a substantial discount when you apply. After that, providing you are not involved in an accident, your insurance costs should decrease.