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BCCSA

NCSO® / NHSA™ Designation

NCSO® / NHSA™ Exam FAQs

NCSO & NHSA Designations

  • 1.Are the exams online or do I have to write them in person?

    Exams are offered online only.

  • 2.What if I fail?

    If a candidate is unsuccessful with one or both exams, they will be required to wait 14 days before reattempting. After three consecutive unsuccessful attempts, the candidate will have to repeat all NCSO®/NHSA™ BCCSA compulsory courses before being eligible to write the exam again.

    Each additional attempt costs $60 + GST for the National Exam and $40 + GST for the Provincial Exam. Any unsuccessful attempts in other provinces will not affect your status with the BCCSA.

  • 3.Will I have to write the NCSO® exam in every province or will there be a supplemental exam to cover the differences in provincial legislation?

    You only have to successfully complete the national exam once. However, each province will have their own supplemental legislation exam.

  • 4.Is there a study guide?

    Yes, there is preparatory material in our exam resource catalogue intended to help applicants write both exams. The NCSO® / NHSA™ Study Guide (PDF) shows how the items on the exam are distributed across domains. Applicants are encouraged to review Participants Manuals from the BCCSA courses, create a study plan to focus on subjects/areas less familiar. Examinees may bring their HandiGuide as this will be a reference text used during the Provincial Exam.

    Note: You must have the 2021 version or newer of the HandiGuide. One can also be provided at request. There are also exam blueprints available online.
  • 5.What are the exam requirements for the NCSO®/NHSA™ designation?

    You must pass both the national and provincial exams with at least 75%. Exams are completed online through your NCSO®/NHSA™ portal. Please note that we do not offer in-person exams. Once your application is approved, you will be able to sign up for the exams directly in your portal.

  • 6.How do I sign up for a prep session?

    To sign up, navigate to the prep session webpage and select the session you would like to attend. Please note that the study sessions are held via Zoom, and no in-person sessions are offered. Participation in the prep sessions is free of charge. Once you have registered for your session, you will be sent a Zoom link.

Need Help? Have a NCSO® / NHSA™ Question?

We have staff who can help make your NCSO® / NHSA experience as straightforward as possible!

  • BCCSA NCSO® / NHSA Program
  • Phone: (604) 636-3675
  • Toll Free: 1 (877) 860-3675
  • E-mail: ncso@bccsa.ca

  • Mon – Fri:  8:00am – 4:00pm
  • Weekends & Holidays:  Closed

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