Canada has two official languages: English and French. English is the most common language spoken in most provinces and territories. French is most spoken in Quebec, as well as parts of Ontario, New Brunswick (the only officially bilingual province in Canada), and in French-speaking communities across Canada.
Communication is seen as one of the biggest challenges for many internationally educated health professionals in adapting to the Canadian workplace.
Pharmacists rely on their ability to communicate effectively with patients, staff and other health professionals. A significant role of a Canadian pharmacist involves counselling patients and their family members. Patients rely on pharmacists to provide expert advice and respond to questions about medications and health concerns.
Many tasks in the pharmacy also require a lot of verbal communication, as well as reading and writing. Pharmacists must often review drug information, complete forms and correspond with other health professionals, pharmacy managers and suppliers.
All pharmacy regulatory authorities (PRAs) require IPGs to meet language proficiency requirements. This can be accomplished by taking a language proficiency test and achieving a minimum score in each of the categories for reading, writing, speaking and listening, by meeting certain education requirements, or by meeting non-objective evidence of language proficiency as determined by the individual PRA. Candidates should note that not all PRAs have policies in place for non-objective evidence of language proficiency.
Although language tests can indicate a basic knowledge of English or French, pharmacists must be able to communicate and understand the language at a much more advanced level that includes many technical components associated with being trained as a pharmacist and healthcare professional.
Candidates who do not speak English or French at an advanced level are strongly advised to begin language training as soon as possible. Doing this will significantly increase their chances of success in all the steps involved in obtaining a licence.
Language Proficiency Criteria
Each province and territory specify language proficiency as a requirement for licensure.
NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirement
The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) has developed documents outlining recommendations for a language proficiency requirement across the country, based on the results of rigorous scientific processes to assess speaking, reading, writing and listening skills for IPGs.
The recommendations serve as models that NAPRA’s members, the provincial/territorial PRAs, can adopt or adapt for use in their respective jurisdictions, depending on the rules in their province or territory, to determine the final language proficiency requirement applicable in each jurisdiction.
In February 2024, NAPRA published the NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirement Policy (2024) which outlines updated recommendations to NAPRA’s members. Effective September 1, 2024, most jurisdictions will have adopted or adapted this recommendation. Some jurisdictions (e.g., Manitoba and Ontario) will continue to follow the previous Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacist in Canada (2014).
The recommendations to PRAs that are outlined in the policy do NOT automatically replace the language proficiency requirement currently applicable in any given jurisdiction. Pharmacy professional applicants are thus advised to ALWAYS review the website of the PRA in their jurisdiction, contact the PRA, or visit Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada (see the Language Proficiency Requirement section on the “How to Apply” page of each jurisdiction) to determine the current applicable language proficiency requirement in that jurisdiction.
Education as Evidence of Language Proficiency
Candidates who can demonstrate that they meet the criteria for their education to be accepted as evidence of their language proficiency will not be required to take a language proficiency test unless a trigger suggests that a test for language proficiency is required. Triggers include, but are not limited to:
- A member of the teaching staff at a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy technician or pharmacist program, or a bridging program accepted by the PRA, has reported a concern to the PRA.
- A regulated pharmacy professional assessing the individual during a practical training or practical assessment program has reported a concern to the PRA.
- Patients, customers/clients, family members, caregivers or other health professionals have expressed a concern as part of a complaint made to the PRA.
- A PRA has become aware of a concern through its interactions with the individual.
Language Proficiency Testing Requirements
Candidates who plan to submit language test results as proof of language proficiency in jurisdictions other than Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec should note that tests accepted and cut scores for:
- tests taken on or before August 31, 2024, will be assessed under the requirements of the previous policy (2014); and,
- tests taken starting September 1, 2024, will need to meet the requirements of the new policy (2024).
English Language Testing
A pharmacist who has completed a pharmacy degree from an educational institution outside of Canada or the United States must provide proof of having passed an English language test. Test scores are only valid for two years from the date of the examination sitting.
The results of that test must be forwarded directly by the examiner to NAPRA, M615–1554 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7M4, Attention: Gateway Operations, or be available online through a special secure portal set up by the examiner. Once received and verified, it will be stored in the candidate’s secure profile for use by the pharmacy regulatory authority (PRA) during the licensure process.
The results of candidates that have taken the language proficiency test through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) can be made available online through a secure portal and do not have to be sent by mail to Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada.
Candidates who took the language test from the Occupational English Test (OET) must submit their results letter by email at gatewayinfo@napra.ca. Candidates are also asked to ensure that NAPRA has permission to view their results on our OET verifier account. Our organization is listed as “National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities – NAPRA”. This is required to confirm the validity of the language test results.
Candidates who completed the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) taken on or before August 31, 2024, may submit a scanned copy of their language test results to gatewayinfo@napra.ca. They must also ensure that the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities is the destination institution (DI code 7603). This will allow Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada to confirm the language test results.
French Language Testing
French Language Requirements in Manitoba, New Brunswick and Ontario
The provinces of Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Ontario have significant numbers of French-speaking individuals and communities, and so English or French language fluency is acceptable in those provinces.
Candidates seeking licensure in these provinces may submit language test results from the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) Canada. The minimum scores are outlined in the NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirement Policy (2024).
For specific information about French language requirements in each of these provinces, candidates will need to consult directly with the licensing authorities:
- College of Pharmacists of Manitoba
- New Brunswick College of Pharmacists
- Ontario College of Pharmacists
French Language Requirements in Quebec
Candidates wishing to practise in Quebec should know that French language proficiency is required to practise. To prove that they meet the standard for fluency in French, candidates must have one of the following:
- Completed no fewer than three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary instruction in French;
- Passed the fourth- or fifth-year secondary-level examinations in French as the first language;
- A secondary school certificate in Quebec, from or after the school year 1985-86; or,
- A certificate issued by the Office québécois de la langue française, or a certificate defined as equivalent by the government.
Candidates that do not meet these requirements must successfully pass a French language examination with the Office québécois de la langue française. The examination aims to evaluate four categories: oral comprehension, oral expression, written expression and comprehension of a text. If the candidates successfully pass the examination, the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec (OPQ) may give them a licence, providing that they have met all other requirements to obtain a licence to practise pharmacy. Candidates can also receive a temporary licence if they have registered for, but have not yet completed, the exam. Also, if they do not pass the examination, OPQ will give them a temporary licence valid for 12 months. This temporary licence can be renewed under certain conditions.
Additional Notes
It is essential to understand that, although candidates may meet the standards on one of the available language tests, this will demonstrate only a basic level of ability. Health professionals require much more advanced communication skills to function with greater confidence and provide safe and effective care.
Communication also involves non-verbal interactions and cultural rules, norms and traditions such as eye-contact, hand gestures, facial expressions and personal space. People of different cultures and from different regions in Canada will often speak using slang terms and informal language and communicate with non-verbal gestures acceptable within the culture of their community.
Non-objective Evidence of Language Proficiency
Candidates may also submit non-objective evidence of language proficiency as determined by the individual PRA. Candidates should note that not all PRAs have policies in place for non-objective evidence of language proficiency and should therefore ALWAYS check the website of the PRA in their jurisdiction or contact them to determine the language proficiency requirement applicable in that jurisdiction.