Fair Registration Practices Code – General duty

Basic principles

The way a regulatory body conducts its entire registration practices needs to follow the principles of transparency, objectivity, impartiality and procedural fairness throughout all of its processes from start to finish.

Processes (or steps) within a regulatory body’s registration practices should address:

• what information and documents are required, including when and why
• how and when applicants are informed throughout the registration process
• how applications and qualifications are assessed
• how and when decisions are made and conveyed

Transparent

A process is transparent when it is easy to see what actions were taken, why the action was taken, and the results from that action. A transparent process should be:

• accessible – information on registration is easily available and complete
• clear – information about the entire registration practices and processes are complete, accurate and easy to understand

Objective

Some factors to consider when reviewing registration practices and decisions for objectivity are:

• reliable – all criteria, training, tools and procedures deliver consistent outcomes regardless of who makes the decision and when the decision is made
• valid – ensure that the criteria, training, tools and procedures measure what is needed

Impartial

A process or decision is impartial if it is based on objective criteria without any bias, prejudice or favouritism. Impartiality may be achieved by:

• identification – have the ability to identify potential sources of bias in the assessment or decision-making process, such as identifying conflict of interests, any unconscious bias, or recognizing diversity
• strategies – creating systems to address bias and enable neutrality during the assessment and decision-making process

Procedural fairness

Procedural fairness may be achieved with:

• procedural fairness – the process used does not unfairly exclude or create barriers to licensure or certification
• substantive fairness – decisions are reasonable and the reasoning for the decision is understandable
• relational fairness – applicants perceived treatment, decision-making and outcomes are fair and/or equitable

How the law applies

Part 1, section 3 of the Fair Registration Practices Act requires all regulatory bodies to carry out registration practices that are transparent, objective, impartial and procedurally fair.

Contact

Connect with the Fairness for Newcomers Office at:

Phone: 780-422-6777
Email: [email protected]