Continuing Education Policy

I. Interpretation

1.01 Definitions

The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings: “Classroom Component” means the second component of the Course, which involves live instruction and participation.

“Course” means either (a) any one of the four versions of BCFSA’s Legal Update course (residential, commercial, strata, and property management) or (b) BCFSA’s Ethics for the Real Estate Professional course, with all courses consisting of two components: the Online Component and the Classroom Component.

“Course Completion” means completing the Online Component and the Classroom Component. (Both components must be completed 30 days prior to license expiry date.)

“Course Start Date” means the date a Learner receives access to the Online Component.

“Distance-based model” means the delivery of the Classroom Component using a synchronous remote delivery online platform such as Adobe Connect, Zoom or another platform.

“Learner” means a person who is enrolled in, or intends to enroll, in the Course.

“Manager” means the BCFSA manager responsible for management and administration of the Course.

“Online Component” means the first component of the Course which is hosted online by the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business Real Estate Division. This component is fully asynchronous and must be completed prior to attending the Classroom Component.

“BCFSA” means the British Columbia Financial Services Authority

1.02 Miscellaneous

1. (1) Where the context requires it, the masculine shall include the feminine and vice-versa and the singular shall include the plural and vice-versa.

(2) Policies and Course fees may change from time to time without notice.

(3) These policies may be accessible from multiple sources. In case of conflict, the version posted on BCFSA’s website is considered to be the official version.

II. Enrollment, Withdrawals, and Transfer Requests

2.01 Enrollment

(1) Enrollment for the Course may be completed on BCFSA’s website on the Course Enrollment page”. Admission and enrollment requirements are under the sole jurisdiction of BCFSA. 

(2) The Course fee must be paid in full at the time of enrollment. The Course fee includes all Course materials.

(3) A Learner can enroll in the Course ninety (90) days prior to the scheduled Classroom Component. A Learner can enroll in the Course no later than nine (9) business days prior to the Classroom Component.

2.02 Withdrawal

(1) Requests to withdraw from the Course must be made in writing and emailed to education@bcfsa.ca. If a withdrawal request from the Course is made more than 10 business days prior to the Course Start Date, BCFSA will refund fees paid for the Course less a $25 administrative fee. BCFSA will only issue refunds to the original credit card used during enrollment and will require approximately 2 weeks for processing.

(2) NO REFUND is available where the request to withdraw is received on or after the 10th business day prior to the Course start date.

2.03 Transfer requests

(1) Requests to transfer from one session of the Course to another must be made in writing and emailed to [email protected].

(2) If a transfer request is made more than twelve (12) calendar days prior to the Course Start Date, there will be a transfer fee of $25. The $25 fee is applicable for each transfer request made.

(3) If a transfer request is made less than twelve (12) calendar days prior to the Course Start Date, there will be a transfer fee of 50% of the Course fee.

(4) All fees must be paid directly to BCFSA.

(5) A Learner must attend the Classroom Component within 60 days of successfully completing the Online Component.

(6) Transfer fees are only applicable when rescheduling into another instance of the same version of the course (e.g. Legal Update 2021 to Legal Update 2021). If a learner must reschedule to a different version of the course (e.g. Legal Update 2021 to Legal Update 2022), it is not considered a transfer and individuals are required to pay 100% of the Course fee.

III. Number of Attempts, and Assessment

3.01 Number of attempts

(1) A Learner can attempt to complete the Online Component within the designated time frames up to a maximum of three times in any licensing cycle.

(2) A Learner has an unlimited number of attempts to complete the end of module quizzes, but is limited to three attempts to enroll and complete the Online Component.

3.02 Assessment

(1) Learners are required to achieve a minimum of 70% on all end of module quizzes in the Online Component. Learners have an unlimited number of attempts to complete and achieve the minimum grade on the end of module quizzes within the timeframe allotted for the Online Component. However, if they do not do so within the timeframe allotted, they will be required to retake the Online Component. The Learner will not proceed to the Classroom Component until they successfully complete the Online Component.

(2) Learners are required to respond to the PRE- and POST-REFLECTION QUESTIONS and review PRE-CLASSROOM assignments.

(3) BCFSA has the sole discretion and is the final authority over all matters concerning the validity of assignments, assessment scores, and completion status.

IV. Distance-Based Classroom Component

4.01 Distance-based offerings

(1) The Distance-Based Model allows Learners to attend the Classroom Component remotely. The synchronous remote delivery online platform may be provided by BCFSA and / or other providers.

(2) BCFSA currentlyoffers the Classroom Component through the Distance-Based Model only c.

(3) Learners in a distance-based session are required to actively participate verbally and have a camera on at all times, in accordance with the classroom participation policy. Learners must participate from a stationary space free from background noise and/or distractions. Due to safety and engagement concerns, driving while doing the Course is strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with any of the above may result in the Learner being required to reschedule the Course.

V. General Course Policies

5.01 Change of Profile (Address, Email Address, Phone Number)

(1) Learners are responsible for notifying BCFSA in writing of any change to their address, email address or phone number. Correspondence will be sent to the latest address on record.

(2) Notification must be sent to BCFSA under a separate cover from any Course work.

5.02 Discretion of the Manager

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in these policies to the contrary, where a Learner alleges that they have been unfairly prejudiced by the application of these policies, an application in writing may be made to the Manager for relief. The Manager may take such action on such terms as the Manager sees fit.

5.03 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

BCFSA’s collection, use, disclosure, and retention of information must comply with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Collected personal information will only be used by authorized BCFSA staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected or for a use consistent with that purpose.

5.04 Accommodation

Learners who require accommodation in order to attend, participate in or complete a Course due to a limitation which is associated with or caused by a characteristic protected under the Human Rights Code should contact BCFSA to make an accommodation request.

5.05 Appropriate Use of Educational Materials

While a great deal of care is taken to provide accurate and current information in Courses, neither BCFSA, its staff, or consultants assume responsibility for any use or reliance beyond the Course’s operation. The Course materials are prepared for educational purposes with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal or accounting advice. The general principles and conclusions presented are subject to local, provincial, and federal laws and regulations, court cases, and any revisions of the same.

DISCLAIMER

BCFSA reserves the right to amend Course schedules, Course availability, fees, content, policies, manuals, and other reference materials without notice at its sole and absolute discretion. Learners may be required at any time to incur expenses such as travel and accommodation expenses in relation to the Course, whether the Course schedule is amended or not, and those expenses shall be the sole responsibility of the Learner.