As the first of the five assessment stages of the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) program, the College conducts a paper-based assessment to determine whether an applicant’s relevant education and experience in naturopathy is sufficiently equivalent to that of a graduate from a program in naturopathy accredited by the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME).

Document of Education and Experience (DEE)

To initiate the paper-based assessment, you must submit a completed Document of Education and Experience (DEE) form (available upon request to applications@collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca). Here you will organise past education, training, and work experience relevant to naturopathy into each of the listed content areas. The content and subject matter areas in the Paper-based Assessment relate to those covered in naturopathic training programs accredited by CNME and the core competencies set by the College. Knowledge in these areas is assessed in the PLAR Exams (Ontario Biomedical and Ontario Clinical Sciences) and the Ontario Clinical (Practical) examinations (completed prior to registration).

To complete the DEE, you must be prepared to:

• collect documents from your past education and professional experience;
• have all documents in any language other than English or French translated and sent directly to the College from a certified translator; and
• organise your education and experience by the noted requirements throughout the form.

Once your DEE and supporting documents have been received, a trained PLAR Assessor will review them and record their findings. They assess whether your education and experience satisfy the requirements to move forward in the PLAR program, or whether gaps exist in your education and experience.

The PLAR Assessor’s findings and recommendations then go to the PLAR Committee, along with your DEE and submission documents. The PLAR Committee is tasked with making a decision on your eligibility to move forward in the PLAR program. PLAR decisions are appealable in accordance with the PLAR Appeals Policy.

Cost

The fee for the paper-based assessment is $300 + HST.

To learn more about the paper-based assessment process and criteria, or for more information on completing the DEE, please review the PLAR Document of Education and Experience (DEE) Guide and the PLAR Applicant Handbook.

PLAR applicants who are unable to obtain a document to support an assessment of eligibility or of their education or experience, because of exceptional circumstances, may seek to have alternative documentation considered.  For additional information, please contact applications@collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca