Education for HCAs

To become a registered Health Care Assistant in BC, you need to complete an education program recognized by the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry. Recognized HCA programs follow the BC HCA Provincial Curriculum. This training prepares graduates to provide person-centred care and support to clients experiencing physical, mental, and/or cognitive health challenges or with developmental disabilities in a variety of settings. Students take courses focused on values and principles of healthcare provision, teamwork and collaboration, health conditions, communication, safety, and skills required to provide personal care and assistance within the HCA role. They also have the opportunity to apply knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the practice setting by completing practice education placements in care homes and community settings.

The BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry maintains a comprehensive list of every public and private institution in BC that offers a recognized Health Care Assistant program. Classes are subject to availability.

Recognized BC HCA Training Schools & Programs

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Schools & Programs Listed By Region

School	City	Program Type
Cambria College	Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond	Health Care Assistant
CDI College of Business Technology & Health Care	Richmond, Surrey	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Discovery Community College	Maple Ridge, Surrey	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Drake Medox College	Surrey	ESL – Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery), ESL – Health Care Assistant, and Health Care Assistant
Sprott Shaw College	Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Maple Ridge	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant Upgrade (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Access (within Post Graduate Certificate in Nursing Program), Health Care Assistant Internationally Educated (recognized as an HCA ESL Program), Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Access (within Post Graduate Certificate in Nursing Program) (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Internationally Educated (recognized as an HCA ESL Program) (Combined Delivery)
Thompson Rivers University – Open Learning Division	British Columbia	Health Care Assistant
University of the Fraser Valley	Chilliwack	Health Care Assistant
Vancouver Career College	Abbotsford	Health Care Assistant
Western Community College	Abbotsford, Surrey	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant + ESL, Health Care Assistant – Access, and Health Care Assistant – Access (Combined Delivery)

School	City	Program Type
Cambria College	Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond	Health Care Assistant
Capilano University	North Vancouver	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
CDI College of Business, Technology & Health Care	Richmond, Surrey	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Collège Éducacentre	Vancouver	Health Care Assistant in French Préposé aux soins de santé (Combined Delivery)
Discovery Community College	Surrey	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Douglas College	Coquitlam	Health Care Assistant
Drake Medox College	Surrey, Vancouver	ESL – Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery), ESL – Health Care Assistant, and Health Care Assistant
Gateway College	Vancouver	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant – Accelerated, Health Care Assistant – Access, Health Care Assistant & Communication Year 2 (recognized as an HCA ESL Program) (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant – Accelerated (Combined Delivery), and Health Care Assistant – Access (Combined Delivery)
Heritage Community College	Surrey	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University	Langley, Surrey	Health Care Assistant
NEC Native Education College	Vancouver	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Sprott Shaw College	East Vancouver, New Westminster, Surrey, Vancouver	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant Upgrade (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Access (within Post Graduate Certificate in Nursing Program), Health Care Assistant Internationally Educated (recognized as an HCA ESL Program), Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Access (within Post Graduate Certificate in Nursing Program) (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Internationally Educated (recognized as an HCA ESL Program) (Combined Delivery)
Stenberg College	Surrey	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant – International (recognized as an HCA ESL Program), Health Care Assistant Access (within Post Graduate Diploma in Canadian Nursing), Health Care Assistant International (within International Post Graduate Diploma in Canadian Nursing)
Thompson Rivers University – Open Learning Division	British Columbia	Health Care Assistant
Universal Learning Institute	Richmond	Health Care Assistant
Vancouver Career College	Burnaby	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Vancouver Community College	Vancouver	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant – ESL, Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Diploma (International Cohort)
Western Community College	Surrey	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant + ESL, Health Care Assistant – Access, Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant ESL (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant – Access (Combined Delivery)
Westminster College	Surrey	Health Care Assistant Program

School	City	Program Type
College of the Rockies	Cranbrook, Creston, Fernie, Golden, Invermere	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
First College	Kelowna	Health Care Assistant
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology	Merritt	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Okanagan College	Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm, Vernon	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Selkirk College	Castlegar, Trail	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Access (within Post-Graduate Diploma in Gerontological Nursing) (Combined Delivery)
Sprott Shaw College	Kamloops, Kelowna, Osoyoos, Penticton	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant Upgrade (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Access (within Post Graduate Certificate in Nursing Program), Health Care Assistant Internationally Educated (recognized as an HCA ESL Program), Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Access (within Post Graduate Certificate in Nursing Program) (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Internationally Educated (recognized as an HCA ESL Program) (Combined Delivery)
Thompson Rivers University	Kamloops, Williams Lake	Health Care Assistant
Thompson Rivers University – Open Learning Division	Multiple locations in British Columbia	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)

School	City	Program Type
Coast Mountain College (formerly Northwest Community College)	Terrace, Smithers *Regional program delivery may be available	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
College of New Caledonia	Prince George, Quesnel, Vanderhoof *Regional program delivery may be available	Health Care Assistant
Northern Lights College	Dawson Creek, Fort St. John	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Thompson Rivers University – Open Learning Division	British Columbia	Health Care Assistant

School	City	Program Type
Capilano University	Sechelt	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Thompson Rivers University – Open Learning Division	British Columbia	Health Care Assistant
Vancouver Island University	Powell River	Health Care Assistant

School	City	Program Type
Cambria College	Victoria	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Camosun College	Victoria	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant – ESL, and Health Care Assistant – Indigenous
Discovery Community College	Campbell River, Courtenay, Nanaimo, Parksville	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Edison College Canada	Victoria	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
North Island College	Comox Valley, Port Alberni, Campbell River	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Sprott Shaw College	Nanaimo, Victoria	Health Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant Upgrade (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Access (within Post Graduate Certificate in Nursing Program), Health Care Assistant Internationally Educated (recognized as an HCA ESL Program), Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Access (within Post Graduate Certificate in Nursing Program) (Combined Delivery), Health Care Assistant Internationally Educated (recognized as an HCA ESL Program) (Combined Delivery)
Thompson Rivers University – Open Learning Division	British Columbia	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)
Vancouver Island University	Duncan, Nanaimo, Powell River	Health Care Assistant (Combined Delivery)

Transitional & Continuing Education for Health Care Assistants

As part of the registration process with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry, you may be required to take transition courses as part of your registration requirements.

Continuing education courses available to Health Care Assistants are optional to take if you would like to increase your knowledge in certain areas.

Learn More

Career Laddering Opportunities for Health Care Assistants

If you are interested in a career in nursing, there are many benefits to starting your career as a Health Care Assistant. While many nursing programs in BC have waitlists, many HCA programs across the province currently have spaces available. Your HCA education could be a gateway to other healthcare careers and enable you to gain valuable work experience, good wages and benefits along the way.

After training as an HCA, if you wish to advance your studies, you can put your prior learning as an HCA toward other post-secondary programs, such as Nursing Access and Bridging Programs. These programs support a move from being an HCA transitioning to a Licensed Practical Nurse, and from a Licensed Practical Nurse to a Registered Nurse. These programs are designed for individuals with HCA education and experience to receive their nursing credentials more quickly.

What Makes the Ideal Health Care Assistant?

What makes a great health care assistant? HCAs are people who enjoy the company of other people.

Top Reasons to Consider Training as a Health Care Assistant

HCAs are an integral part of the health care system in BC and are important…

What kind of education do I need to become a Health Care Assistant?

Students take courses focused on values and principles of healthcare provision, teamwork and collaboration, health conditions, communication, safety, and skills required to provide personal care and assistance within the HCA role. They also can apply knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the practice setting by completing practice education placements in care homes and community settings.

See the list of recognized BC HCA programs here.

Where can I search for available training programs to enroll to become a Health Care Assistant?

To become a registered Health Care Assistant in British Columbia, you must complete a recognized Health Care Assistant program using the provincial curriculum. Click here to view a list of recognized health care assistant education programs in British Columbia.

You can contact colleges to obtain registration requirements, course length, format, and tuition costs. All HCA programs will provide clinical placements to help students gain hands-on experience.

Are there Health Care Assistant training programs that are located close to where I live?

Use our interactive map that will help you find a Health Care Assistant education program that is conveniently located in your area. Click here to check it out.

How long is the Health Care Assistant education program for students?

Health Care Assistant training varies from school to school, but the average duration is seven months. Most HCAs graduate, register, and start working in less than a year.

Is there financial support to assist with completing BC’s Health Care Assistant educational programs?

Yes, you can access different financial assistance options depending on your eligibility. See the Financial Support sections for each registration category on our home page for more information.

Are there dual credit options that offer Health Care Assistant training?

Yes, dual credit options are offered in some high schools throughout BC, allowing you to work toward an HCA credential while still in high school. Dual credit experiences enable you to enroll in post-secondary courses and earn credits toward your high school diploma and post-secondary credits at the same time.
For more information on dual credit options, click here.

Choose a Career in Providing Care

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