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COVID-19 health and safety protocols


​In compliance with the guidelines established by WorkSafe BC, BCCNM has put the following protocols in place for the safety of exam candidates and BCCNM employees. We will continue to refine and adjust accordingly as public health guidelines evolve.

Day of the exam: What to expect

The following points outline what candidates can expect on exam day. For more detailed information on specific health and safety protocols, see below.

  • When candidates arrive at Hotel Vancouver, they will be met by a greeter who will provide them with a mask and hand sanitizer. All candidates must use the mask provided.

  • Signage will direct candidates to the registration table, where candidates will be asked to provide their signed COVID-19 Health and Safety Policy and COVID-19 Health Assessment and Access to Site form. Paper copies will also be available onsite.

  • Following registration, the candidate will be escorted to their pre-determined exam table.

  • Exam tables will be spaced to ensure the minimum two-meter physical distancing requirement is met.

  • Bottled water will be provided. Personal water bottles are not permitted.  

  • Hand sanitizer and replacement masks will be available by request.

Health and safety protocols​

Masks are mandatory

  • ​All exam staff and candidates will be required to wear facial masks provided by the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

  • Homemade masks can be worn upon entrance into the building, but candidates must don the mask provided for the duration of the RPNCE and when in close proximity to others. 

  • Masks should be changed if they become wet, soiled or damaged. Additional masks will be available by request. 

  • At the end of the exam masks should be appropriately discarded. ​

Health Assessment and Access to Site form

  • ​All participants will be required to complete the COVID-19 Health Assessment and Access to Site form

  • On the form the candidate will declare that they have not been outside of Canada in the past 14 days and are not currently experiencing symptoms.​

  • The form must be completed and handed in on the day of the exam along with the COVID-19 Health and Safety policy

  • Candidates are asked to complete the form before arriving at the exam location. Hardcopies will be available upon registration for those that do not have access to a printer. 

  • ​BCCNM reserves the right to deny entry to any candidate based on their form responses. 

COVID-19 Health and Safety Policy

  • BCCNM has prepared a COVID-19 Health and Safety policy to protect exam candidates and staff.

  • Candidates are expected to review and submit an initialed copy of the policy on the day of the exam, along with a completed COVID-19 Health Assessment and Access to Site form.

  • ​Candidates are encouraged to inform BCCNM if they are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19. Do not come to the testing location if you are experiencing symptoms.

  • Candidates may withdraw and request a refund or defer to a later exam with no penalty if it is in relation to COVID-19.

  • To request a refund or deferral please contact Michele Cunanan at michele.cunanan@bccnm.ca. 
Physical distancing

  • ​To reduce the risk of transmission, the August RPNCE sitting will take place in two hotel rooms to accommodate all candidates and meet physical distance guidelines. 

  • Each candidate will have their own 6-foot table and spacing of tables will ensure the minimum 2-meter physical distancing requirement is met. ​

Hygiene and cleaning

  • ​As part of BCCNM's contact with the hotel, Hotel Vancouver staff will sanitize all furniture and equipment inside the meeting rooms before the event, using EPA-registered chemicals proven effective in preventing the transmission of COVID-19. 

In addition, exam staff will: 

  • Disinfect high touch surfaces as needed during the exam

  • Ensure candidates sanitize their hands upon entering the exam site and wear a mask for the duration of the exam.

  • Provide additional hand sanitizer and/or a new mask at the request of the candidate.

Managing a positive COVID-19 case

  • As a precaution, ​BCCNM will maintain administrative tracking of candidate-invigilator interactions and seating to support contact tracing, if needed at any time. 

  • If BCCNM is alerted to, or made aware of, a positive COVID-19 test from a candidate or exam staff, we will support public health as needed to notify affected individuals. 

International travel

  • ​​Candidates traveling internationally are required to follow the guidelines outlined by British Columbia's Provincial Health Officer, which includes a mandatory 14 day self-isolation period upon arrival in B.C.

  • All participants will be required to complete a health assessment form prior to entering the RPNCE site to declare that they have not been outside of Canada in the preceding 14 days.

Exam deferral or withdrawal due to illness

  • Candidates may withdraw and request a refund or defer to a later exam with no penalty if it is in relation to COVID-19.

  • Do not come to the testing location if you are experiencing symptoms.

  • To request a refund or deferral please contact Michele Cunanan at michele.cunanan@bccnm.ca.