This policy covers appeals for the following:
- Qualifications Review
- Examination
- Examination Accommodation Requests
- Non-Discriminatory Statement Appeals
A request for reconsideration and appeals process is available to any individual who has applied for or received a Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) certification and wishes to contest any adverse decision or proposed action affecting their application for certification or recertification status.
The BCRSP provides a two-step appeals process for resolution concerning an action or decision by the BCRSP. The first step of the process includes a reconsideration review procedure which is handled by BCRSP’s operational team (applicable Committee or Executive Director).
The second step of the process is an appeals procedure which is handled by an appointed Appeals Committee. The individual must first file the request for reconsideration before filing an appeal.
Those areas not subject to appeal are identified under the section heading “Exceptions to the Right of Appeal”. Any individual who does not submit a request for an appeal within the required timeframe shall waive the right to appeal.
Scope of Right to Appeal
Throughout the certification process, individuals may appeal certain decisions made by BCRSP.
Examples for an appeal include:
- Decisions regarding eligibility to take a BCRSP examination
- Examination scores, except failed scores
- Eligibility time limits
- Unauthorized use of marks/logos
- Any other action that impedes the attainment of certification.
Exceptions to the Right of Appeal
- The setting of a passing score which cannot be changed but may result in the failure of the certification examination, may NOT be appealed. NOTE: Validation on the accuracy of the scoring of an examination is permitted. To validate that an examination was properly keyed and scored, a verification score review will be conducted at the examinee’s written request and expense.
- Existence of an eligibility requirement may NOT be appealed. NOTE: The Appeal Policy does provide for the appeal of the interpretation of the eligibility requirements in an individual applicant’s circumstances.
- Content of the examination is NOT subject to appeal.
The appeals in relation to a Complaint and Disciplinary Procedure are handled via Policy 1025 Professional Conduct Appeals.
Procedure (001)
Examination Requests for Reconsideration:
Examination Accommodation Requests
If an examination accommodation request has been denied, a candidate can submit a request for reconsideration by supplying additional information that supports the reason for the denial. If the request for reconsideration is denied, a candidate can appeal the decision with the BCRSP up to 60 days after the decision has been communicated.
Score Verification
If a candidate believes that there is an error in the examination scoring, they may request verification of the examination score within 30 days of the examination result being issued.
Testing Conditions
If a candidate submits a request for reconsideration based on alleged inappropriate examination administration procedures or environmental testing conditions, they may request review of the examination score.
- The candidate must submit a written request within 60 days after the examination results are issued.
- Upon receipt of the request, the Executive Director will request supporting information for Pearson VUE and/or Meazure in relation to the candidates request.
- If the alleged inappropriate examination administration procedure or environmental testing conditions is severe enough to have caused a major disruption of the examination process which were not satisfactorily resolved at the test centre, the executive director may direct that the examination result be waived from the candidates record.
Qualification Review Requests for Reconsideration or Appeals
- Applicants who are not approved by the QRC shall submit both the request for reconsideration form and documentation within 60 days of the communication of the QRC’s decision.
- Requests for reconsideration must be accompanied by additional supporting documentation, including any communication between the applicant and the BCRSP office for the reviewer’s reference. If the original denial of application was related to professional practice experience, new documentation must be objectively related to their employment duties.
- The initial request for reconsideration will be reviewed by the Chair of the QRC. If the Chair of the QRC has a conflict of interest with the applicant, the Chair will appoint another member of the QRC to conduct the request for reconsideration review.
- The Chair of the QRC (or alternate) shall either approve or deny the request for reconsideration.
- Applicants may appeal the request for reconsideration decision within 60 days of the QRC Chair’s decision, and additional supporting documentation must be supplied, including any communication between the applicant and the BCRSP office for the appeal committees reference.
- The appeal review will be conducted by the Appeal Committee.
- If an applicant is approved after an appeal, a mandatory interview will apply.
- The decision of the Appeal Committee is final. If the appeal is rejected, the applicants file will be closed.
Non-Discriminatory Statement
If an applicant or candidate believes that there was a violation of the BCRSP’s “Non-Discriminatory Statement”, they may file an appeal with the BCRSP at any time during the certification process and up to 60 days after the examination results are mailed.