PLAR Process Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Prior Learning Assessment (PLAR) Process

The following are some commonly asked questions about the Prior Learning Assessment process and what is involved in completing the PLAR process to transfer to the General Class.

1. What is PLAR?

The PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment) process is a competency-based assessment tool for Grandparented Members to demonstrate that they possess the experience and learning that meets the required Entry-Level Occupational Competencies for the Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Canada to be issued a General Certificate of registration.

Prior learning can be acquired through formal study and/or practice experience.

2. Is there a deadline to complete PLAR?

Yes. All Grandparented Class Members must successfully complete the PLAR process no later than July 1, 2017.

3. When should I apply for PLAR?

You should apply immediately (or as soon as possible). It is not advisable to apply too close to the deadline date. Professional Testing requires 6 to 8 weeks to review a Case Study Assessment or an applicant’s Academic Documentation. The number of candidates who can sit the Case Study assessment at one time is limited to the seating spaces available. After successfully completing PLAR, your application for transfer to the College requires 3 to 4 weeks to process.

4. How do I apply for PLAR?

Follow the step-by-step visual instruction on PLAR process provided at http://www.professionaltesting.ca/plarlogin.aspx.

55 Commerce Valley Drive West | Suite 705 I Thornhill, Ontario I L3T 7V9 I tel: 416.238.7359 I fax: 416.214.0879 I info@ctcmpao.on.ca

Application and evaluation processes for Case Study Assessment are different from Academic Document Review. You must carefully consider the different requirements before applying.

Please refer to the CTCMPAO Guide to Transfer from Grandparented Class to General Class and Guide to Complete PLAR for details on the PLAR process at http://www.ctcmpao.on.ca/Resources/plar.html

5. After successfully completing PLAR, will the College issue the General Certificate automatically?

No. You have to apply to the College following the steps described below:

a. Complete and submit an application for transfer to the College. You must declare in your application that you have completed at least three(3) years of clinical experience and 1,200 TCM patient visits that occurred in addition to the experience you reported at the time you apply the Grandparented certificate.

b. Pay the transfer fee of $178.90 ($158.32 + HST) to the College

The College will normally take 3 to 4 weeks to review your application. It is not advisable to wait until the November 1, 2017 deadline.

6. What is the deadline to transfer to General Class?

Grandparented members must submit the transfer application to the College no later than November 1, 2017.

7. What happens if I do not complete PLAR?

Without the successful completion of PLAR, you will not be eligible to transfer to General Class. Your Grandparented Certificate of registration will expire on April 1, 2018. Therefore, you will no longer be permitted to practise TCM, perform the controlled acts and use the protected titles of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and/or Acupuncturist, and the designations of R. TCMP and/or R.Ac

8. Do I need to go back to school to complete the Case Study Assessment?

It is up to the member to decide whether he/she needs to take additional courses. To be successful in the Case Study Assessment, you must be prepared to demonstrate that you are competent in diagnosing and treating common TCM disorders.

  • 55 Commerce Valley Drive West Suite 705 Thornhill, Ontario L3T 7V9
  • Tel: 416.238.7359 I Fax: 416.214.0879
  • Email: info@ctcmpao.on.ca

Suggested references can be found here:
http://www.ctcmpao.on.ca/resources/suggestedreferences.html

9. What is required to successfully complete the Academic Document Review?

To successfully complete Academic Document Review, you must be able to provide official documents issued by post-secondary educational institutions that you attended. These documents must prove that you have successfully completed a traditional Chinese medicine education program with courses that align to the Entry-Level Occupational Competencies for the Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Canada. The program hours must meet the minimum requirement of 1,000 hours for R. TCMP and 750 hours for R. Ac.

  • Your application will not be successful if you do not have all the required documents.
  • All documents must be notarized.

10. What happens if I am unsuccessful through the Academic Document Review route?

If you are unsuccessful through the Academic Document Review route, you must re-attempt PLAR through the Case Study Assessment route. You must successfully complete PLAR before July 1, 2017.

11. Can I bring book references to complete the Case Study Assessment?

Yes. Grandparented members are permitted to utilize the following resources during the Case Study Assessment:

  • Bilingual dictionaries
  • TCM reference/textbooks (The College provides a recommended List of reference books on its website)
  • Paper Printouts of the following:
  • English nomenclature of basic technical terms of acupuncture
  • Terminology related to tongue diagnosis
  • Terminology related to pulse
  • Index of Materia Medica
  • List of TCM formulae
  • List of Common TCM diseases and conditions

 

  • 55 Commerce Valley Drive West Suite 705 Thornhill, Ontario L3T 7V9
  • Tel: 416.238.7359 I fax: 416.214.0879
  • info@ctcmpao.on.ca

12. How many times can I take the Case Study Assessment?

There is no limit to the number of times you can take the Case Study Assessment.

Unsuccessful candidates who chose the Case Study Assessment may apply again in the future but must successfully complete PLAR before July 1, 2017. In the meantime, the member may continue to practise as a Grandparented member.

13. How long does the Case Study Assessment last?

You will have up to 3 hours to complete 3 clinical cases in the assessment.

14. If I complete PLAR through the Case Study route, can I apply for the “Doctor” title with the College once it is available?

Members can select any route to demonstrate competencies through the PLAR process in order to transfer to General Class. At the present time, the “Doctor” title regulation is not available. Once the regulation is drafted and approved by the Ontario government, General Class members meeting the regulation requirement will be able to apply.

15. Timeline to complete the PLAR process and apply to the College to Transfer to General Class

  • What needs to occur?
  • When does this need to occur?
  • Comments
  • Complete the PLAR process
  • No later than July 1, 2017

Demonstrate competencies through Case Study Assessment route or Academic Document Review route. Professional Testing will issue the results within 8-10 weeks.

  • Apply to Transfer to General Class
  • No later than November 1, 2017

Completing PLAR is but one step to transferring to the General Class. Members submit their application and applicable fees to the College and await a decision from the College. Complete applications will be processed within 3 to 4 weeks.

  • Successful Transfer to General Class
  • No later than March 31, 2018

If Members have not transferred to the General

  • 55 Commerce Valley Drive West Suite 705 Thornhill, Ontario L3T 7V9
  • Tel: 416.238.7359 I Fax: 416.214.0879
  • Email: info@ctcmpao.on.ca

Class by this date, his/her Grandparented Class Certificate will expire on April 1, 2018. The person must return the Display and Wallet Certificates to the College. He/she will no longer be a member of the College.

16. What is the PLAR fee and is it non-refundable?

PLAR fee is $2034 ($1800.00 +HST) payable to Professional Testing.

Yes, the PLAR fee is non-refundable.

17. Where can I find more information about applying (registering) for the PLAR process, and Transferring to the General Class?

COMPLETE AND REGISTERING FOR PLAR:

  • Visit Professional Testing click here.
  • Guidebook – How to Complete PLAR: Click here to download online

TRANSFER TO GENERAL CLASS:

  • CTCMPAO Member’s Guidebook – Transferring from Grandparent to General Class
  • Click here to download online

Above resources can also be found on the College website:
http://www.ctcmpao.on.ca/Resources/plar.html