Purpose
This policy sets out how an applicant demonstrates language proficiency in English or French.
Definitions
Language Proficiency is the ability to listen, write, read, and speak effectively in English or French.
Policy Statement
Language Proficiency is required for providing safe and effective care to clients, working with other health care providers and for fulfilling the requirements for a regulated professional in Ontario. In accordance with the Registration Regulation, O. Reg. 168/11 under the Midwifery Act,
S.O. 1991, c. 31, applicants for the General and Supervised Practice classes of registration must demonstrate their ability to communicate with reasonable fluency in either English or French. All applicants are deemed to have met the requirements for language fluency by demonstrating language proficiency in one of the following ways:
- Graduation from a recognized program of midwifery education in English or French in any jurisdiction in Canada;
- Registration as a midwife in a Canadian jurisdiction;
- Successful results on an English or French language proficiency test acceptable to the College.
Successful results of an English or French language proficiency tests require the following:
- The minimum acceptable score in the four domains of the test (reading, writing, speaking, listening) must have been met;
- Test scores must have been achieved in the 24 months prior to the application for registration; and
- When test scores are combined from more than one sitting, the scores must be from the same test completed at least 30 days apart.
Accepted tests and minimum scores:
In addition to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic Format, the College will also accept any test that is approved under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Canada (IRPA) at the time of the application.
The College reviews all applications for demonstrated language proficiency. Applicants relying on test results must submit their language proficiency test results (original or a copy of) to the College. When there are questions about whether an applicant has demonstrated language proficiency in English or French, the application, and any additional supporting evidence from the applicant, will be referred to the Registration Committee for review and a final decision.
Minimum scores will be established by the Registration Committee and reviewed annually or as required by law.
The College will maintain the list of accepted tests and minimum test scores in their communication materials, which are directly accessible to registrants. The most updated list will complement this policy as an appendix.
References (legislative and other)
Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 Ontario Regulation 508/22
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act Ontario Regulation 168/11
Approved by: Council Approval date: April 26, 2023
Implementation Date: April 26, 2023 Last reviewed and revised
Appendix
Acceptable Language Proficiency Policy and minimum scores
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic Format | |||
Reading – 7 | Writing – 7 | Listening – 7 | Speaking – 7 |
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – General Format* | |||
Reading – 7 | Writing – 7 | Listening – 7 | Speaking – 7 |
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)* | |||
Reading – 9 | Writing – 9 | Listening – 8 | Speaking – 9 |
Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF)* | |||
Reading – 248-262 | Writing – 371-392 | Listening – 280-297 | Speaking – 371-392 |
Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada)* | |||
Reading 524-548 | Writing – 14-15 | Listening – 503-522 | Speaking – 14-15 |
* test is currently accepted under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)
Updated April 2023
For review: April 2024