French Language Proficiency Assessment Tests at Registration

Approved: June 2021
Updated: November 2022

Reviewed: May 2023

This policy defines the French language proficiency requirements approved by the Registration Committee that demonstrate the applicant’s ability to communicate and comprehend, both orally and in writing. This policy provides additional options to the French language tests set by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA).

Policy

In addition to the language proficiency standards established by NAPRA for pharmacists and for pharmacy technicians, the College accepts the following tests and minimum scores for applicants who did not graduate from a pharmacy program accredited by the Canadian Council for the Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs or a pharmacy degree program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, or who are not currently licensed as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician in another Canadian province:

For pharmacist applicants,

Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF) or TEF Canada 

  • Speaking: 500
  • Writing: 500
  • Reading: 500
  • Listening: 500

Test de connaissance du français (TCF) or TCF Canada

  • Speaking: 12
  • Writing: 12
  • Reading: 499
  • Listening: 503

For pharmacy technician applicants,

Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF) or TEF Canada 

  • Speaking: 500
  • Writing: 349
  • Reading: 500
  • Listening: 500

Test de connaissance du français (TCF) ou TCF Canada

  • Speaking: 12
  • Writing: 12
  • Reading: 499
  • Listening: 503
Process

The applicant who is subject to this policy will note on the application provided by the College the name and date of the language proficiency test taken. College staff will verify the applicant’s language proficiency test results, and record or attach this information in the applicant’s file.

Language proficiency test scores are only valid for two years from the date of the test.

Decision Criteria

An applicant will have met the College’s language proficiency requirements if the applicant:

  • Is a graduate of a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy program whose French language proficiency admission criteria meets the NAPRA requirements or French language proficiency test scores that meet the minimum acceptable scores noted in this policy; or
  • Submits current French language proficiency test scores that meet the minimum acceptable scores noted in this policy.
Possible Outcomes

Language proficiency requirements met:

The applicant will be registered provided all of the other registration requirements have been met.

Language proficiency requirements not met:

If applicable, the application could be considered under the criteria established in the College’s Non-Objective Evidence of Language Proficiency Policy or the Extending the Validity of Language Proficiency Test Scores Policy, or referred to a panel of the Registration Committee.

Background

Acceptance of the TEF/TEF Canada and TCF/TCF Canada and the relevant cut scores were based on recommendations from a report commissioned by the OCP from the Centre des niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (CNCLC) / Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks.

Legislative references
Additional references

College Contact: registrantservices@ocpinfo.com