CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses)

Before being able to qualify as a nurse in Canada, foreign trained nurses must pass an English language test.

	The CELBAN exam is used to test the English skills of internationally trained nurses. It is accepted by RN, RPN and LPN licensing boards in Canada as the first step toward becoming licensed to work as a nurse in Canada.
	In British Columbia CELBAN is recognized by the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) and the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia (CLPNBC).
	Applicants must meet English fluency requirements before the CRNBC or the CLPNBC can proceed with the application process for licensing.
	The official test is administered by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CELAS).
	Vancouver Medical English Institute will help you prepare for the test.

CELBAN Exam Preparation Course

	This course is a full-time program designed for internationally educated nurses that will prepare you to take the CELBAN examination.
	It is a focused program that covers all four areas tested by the exam: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
	All teachers are medical professionals trained in ESL.
	It is a six-week course that teaches the language used in Canadian nursing.
	It will give you test-taking strategies and let you practice all areas that will be tested.
	There is a maximum of 8 students in each class so that you will have lots of individual attention.
	CELBAN Preparation courses are scheduled so that students finish the preparation course shortly before the official Vancouver exam dates.

Entrance Requirements

	It is recommended that students have intermediate English skills.
	A Skype or telephone interview can be arranged to assess the student's language skills.

What is CELBAN?

	CELBAN was developed with the help of many professionals in the nursing profession and it is based on an analysis of the language needs of the nursing profession across Canada. It is intended for internationally educated nurses who need to meet the English language requirements of nursing regulatory bodies in Canada.
	It tests each of the four language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and scores them separately. The speaking assessment is a live interview with two trained examiners. Scores are reported as Canadian Language Benchmark Levels (CLB).
	Passing scores are: Speaking CLB 8; Listening CLB 9; Reading CLB 8; Writing CLB 7.
	There is no formal English language level required for taking the test. However, before you take the test the school will give you an evaluation of your English level and your chances of passing the CELBAN examination. You should be at an upper intermediate level, equivalent to 550 TOEFL before you write CELBAN.

Register for CELBAN Exam Preparation Course

Click on "Application" in the list of links on the left and mark CELBAN as your Study Program.

CELBAN Preparation at the Vancouver Medical English Institute (VMEI)

	At VMEI we feel that participation is of prime importance in order to facilitate the interaction between students and teacher, and therefore we do not have CELBAN Preparation classes larger than eight students. This is an Institute for students who really want to learn. We believe that learning is best achieved with a mixture of intense learning and more relaxed practice.
	Hours of instruction are 9:00 AM to 12:00PM and 1:00PM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. The School is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM so that students can use the facilities including internet and library.
	VMEI specializes in medical English and the teachers are medical professionals who have also been trained in ESL instruction.
	The VMEI program is used very successfully in Mexico to prepare nurses to practice nursing in the United States.

Fees

	$1,800 CDN for the six week course
	$100 non-refundable application fee

Register for CELBAN

To register for the exam, go to the CELBAN website: www.celban.org