Substantial Equivalence Assessment

A Substantial Equivalence Assessment (SEA) is a standardized, rigorous, and transparent evaluation of the education of health care providers who did not graduate from an approved Alberta Health Care Aide (HCA) Program.

Eligible applicants include:

• Graduates of a health care program outside of the province of Alberta.
• Internationally Educated Nurses; and
• Individuals with education as a personal support worker, continuing care assistant, nurse or other profession considered to provide direct patient care.

To receive the Substantial Equivalence status on the Directory, health care providers may apply to the Alberta HCA Directory to have their previous health care education assessed to the Government of Alberta 2019 HCA Provincial Curriculum through the College of Licensed Practical Nurses (CLPNA). The received curriculum must meet a minimum equivalency of 75% to the Government of Alberta 2019 HCA Provincial Curriculum to be considered substantially equivalent.

An applicant that does not meet the English Language Proficiency requirements and/or with a curriculum that does not satisfy the minimum equivalency will be referred to an approved Alberta Health Care Aide (HCA) Program.

See Fee Schedule for related fees.