Internationally Educated Applicants

There are two distinct options for internationally educated applicants to become registered as a Registered Dietitian in New Brunswick.  

Before becoming registered in New Brunswick, internationally educated applicants must complete one of the following options: 

Please note: If your primary language is French, we suggest you take the paper-based assessment. The PLAR is only offered in English, so we suggest only those who feel they are strong in the English language take the PLAR. 

Apply for Registration by Completing the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

The Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a process administered through the College of Dietitians of Ontario. It directly assesses what you currently know and can do. 

The PLAR includes several steps, including a multiple-choice examination and a performance-based assessment, which are designed to assess your current knowledge, skills, and judgment against the national entry-to-practice standards for Canadian graduates. 

 

Apply for PLAR through the College of Dietitians of Ontario

Internationally educated applicants seeking registration with the NBAD through the PLAR process must first ensure they’re eligible and apply to complete the PLAR through the College of Dietitians of Ontario.  

PLAR Components

The PLAR includes two components – the KCAT and PBA.   

If you’re eligible for the PLAR process, the first step in the process is the KCAT – a computer-based multiple-choice exam designed to assess your knowledge as compared to the foundational knowledge and academic performance indicators in the national competencies. The level of your KCAT results (level 1, 2 or 3) will dictate your next steps in the PLAR process.

  1. Level 1 result: You demonstrated sufficient knowledge and competence to move to the next step in the process of either the Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) or apply to an accredited practicum program.
  2. Level 2 result: You have demonstrated partial knowledge and competence. You are not eligible to complete the PBA. You may rewrite the KCAT a maximum of three times as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
  3. Level 3 result: This means that you did not demonstrate sufficient knowledge and competence. You are not eligible to complete the PBA. You may rewrite the KCAT a maximum of three times as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements

If your KCAT result is a level 1 you move on to complete the Performance-Based Assessment (PBA). The PBA is a practical assessment that includes oral and written components to assess competency compared to standards for dietetic practice in Canada. The PBA is written once a year.

You got a level 1 on your KCAT and passed the PBA:
Taken within the last three years 

  • You meet the education and practical dietetic experience (internship/practicum) requirements for registration with the New Brunswick Association of Dietitians.  
  • You may apply for Temporary Membership with the NBAD. You must also meet the eligibility requirements for Temporary Membership including language proficiency, authorization to work in Canada, criminal record check, etc.   

You did not pass the PBA, but your KCAT result is a level 1: 
Taken within the last three years 

  • You may proceed directly to the Practicum Upgrading component of the paper-based credentials Assessment process or complete an EQual accredited practicum (subject to program admission requirements). 

Please note: PLAR results (KCAT and PBA) are sent directly from the College of Dietitians of Ontario to NBAD. 

Apply for Registration by Completing the Paper-Based Credential Assessment

If an internationally trained applicant chooses the paper-based credential assessment, NBAD will review your transcripts, course descriptions and information about the formal structure and learning objectives of practical training against the national standards for dietetics education and training programs in Canada.

 

Paper-based Credential Assessment Eligibility

To be eligible for the paper-based credential assessment, you must demonstrate:

  1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree reasonably related to dietetics, with evidence of completed courses in the three core areas of dietetic practice (nutrition care, population & public health and food service management).
    OR
    Competition of a bachelor’s degree in sciences, followed by a university-level program reasonably related to dietetics, with evidence of completed courses in the three core areas of dietetic practice (nutrition care, population & public health, and food service management).
  2. Completion of supervised dietetic practical training.
  3. English or French language proficiency.

Paper-based Credential Assessment Application Process

  • Complete the internationally educated applicant online application form with the required documents.
  • Submit your application assessment fee of $600 CAD. Review how to pay your fees.

The application assessment decision will be one of the following:

  • Non equivalency which ends the paper-based credentialing process.
  • Specific additional academic courses are needed to successfully complete before proceeding to mandatory Academic and Practicum Upgrading (step 2)
  • Approval to proceed to the mandatory Academic and Practicum Upgrading (step 3).

An interview and/or other assessment may be required to assess your education and/or work experience.

Application assessment timeline

We must receive your completed application (the online form with required documents) and your assessment fee payment prior to providing you with a written decision. You will receive a decision within 12 weeks once you have completed the application and payment is received.

You may be required to complete additional academic course(s) prior to the mandatory Academic and Practicum Upgrading. The courses must be approved by NBAD.

If you are approved to proceed to the mandatory Academic and Practicum Upgrading, you must arrange to complete:

  • A minimum of two three-credit courses in Clinical Human Nutrition at the third- or fourth-year university level approved by NBAD; and
  • A minimum of 12 weeks of practical experience arranged by the applicant in the three practice areas (clinical, food service and population & public health) supervised by a Registered Dietitian in Canada.
    • You are responsible for arranging to meet practicum requirements determined by the institution(s) such as immunizations, confidentiality agreement, liability insurance, e-learning, etc.
    • Practical experience completed in New Brunswick requires registration with NBAD as a Dietetic Intern If you’re completing the Practicum Upgrading in another province, you are responsible for contacting the provincial dietetic regulatory body in question to inform and meet any of their requirements prior to commencing the practical experience.

During the practical experience, you must achieve all entry to practice “Internship/Practicum” Performance Indicators of the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice. Review the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice.

After completing the mandatory Practicum Upgrading, you must submit a report to NBAD for assessment demonstrating that you have achieved all ICDEP “Internship/Practicum” Performance Indicators. You will receive a written decision within 12 weeks.

The fee to complete this assessment is $400. Review how to pay your fees.

The assessment results will inform you of:

  • your eligibility to become a Temporary Member of NBAD; or
  • any further upgrading needed prior to registration.

Paper-Based Credential Assessment Online Application Form

Access the NBAD’s online application form for credentials assessment for internationally educated applicants.

Payment of Associated Fees 

  • Visa or Mastercard: Please call the NBAD office at (506) 386-5903 to pay by credit card. Do not email your credit card number. 
  • Interac e-Transfer: Send an Interact e-Transfer to registrar@adnb-nbad.com. If a password is required, please choose “nutrition”. 

All fees paid to the NBAD are nonrefundable. 

Questions?

Contact us at registrar@adnb-nbad.com  or (506) 386-5903. If required, please contact us via phone or email to arrange a meeting.