Most RCIP applicants must show at least 1 year of paid work experience to be eligible for West Kootenay RCIP.
This means:
- 1,560 hours total
- completed over at least 12 months
- within the last 3 years
Part-time work can count if it adds up to 1,560 hours.
Some international graduates may not need work experience. See below for more information on International Student Work Experience Exemption.
Work Experience Eligibility Checklist
Go step by step through these questions to determine if your work experience can be used for RCIP.
If you answer “no” to any question, your work experience does not qualify.
1. Was your work paid
- Yes → continue
- No → not eligible
Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count.
2. Did you work for an employer?
- Yes → continue
- No → not eligible in most cases
Self-employment usually does not count.
Exception: some licensed medical professionals.
3. Do you have at least 1,560 hours over at least 12 months?
- Yes → continue
- No → not eligible
You must meet both:
- total hours (1,560), and
- time period (minimum 1 year)
You cannot work extra hours to finish faster.
Examples:
- 30 hours/week for 12 months → eligible
- 15 hours/week for 24 months → eligible
- 60 hours/week for 6 months → not eligible
4. Was this work done in the last 3 years?
- Yes → continue
- No → not eligible
5. Does your work match a NOC job description?
- Yes → continue
- No → not eligible
Your job must:
- match a real 5-digit NOC code, and
- include a substantial number of the main duties
Job title alone is not enough.
6. Does your work match the TEER level of your job offer? (use chart below)
- Yes → continue
- No → not eligible
Use this chart to determine if the work experience matches the TEER level of your job offer.
| Job Offer TEER Level | Valid Work Experience Levels |
|---|---|
| TEER 0 or 1 | TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 |
| TEER 2 | TEER 1, 2, 3, or 4 |
| TEER 3 | Healthcare (*see below) TEER 1, 2, 3 or 4 All other jobs: TEER 2, 3, or 4 |
| TEER 4 | Healthcare (*see below) TEER 1, 2, 3 or 4 All other jobs: TEER 2, 3, or 4 |
| TEER 5 | TEER 5 in the same 5-digit NOC only |
7. If you worked in Canada, was it authorized?
- Yes → eligible
- No → not eligible
You must have had legal permission to work in Canada.
Is my work experience eligible?
✔ If you answered “yes” to all 7 questions
Your work experience likely meets the minimum eligibility requirement for West Kootenay RCIP.
Next steps:
- Make sure you can prove your work experience (see section below)
- Continue reviewing the other eligibility requirements
Meeting this requirement does not guarantee a community recommendation
✖ If you answered “no” to any question
Your work experience does not meet the minimum requirement.
You may:
- need more work experience, or
- need work experience that better matches your job offer
International graduate exemption
You may not need work experience if you studied in the West Kootenay RCIP region at a public post-secondary institution.
As of March 2026, Selkirk College is the only eligible public institution in the region.
For programs 2 years or longer, you may qualify if:
- you studied full-time for the entire program
- you graduated within the last 18 months
- you lived in the community for at least 16 of the final 24 months of your studies
For master’s or PhD programs (less than 2 years), you may qualify if:
- you studied full-time for the entire program
- you graduated within the last 18 months
- you lived in the community during your entire program
You are not eligible if:
- more than 50% of your program was completed online from outside the community
- more than 50% of your program was language training (English or French)
- you completed two separate one-year programs instead of one eligible program
- your scholarship or funding requires you to return to your home country after graduation
Important: International Students & Scoring
If you qualify for this exemption:
- you do not need work experience to apply to RCIP
- you will receive 10 points (the minimum) for work experience in the scoring system
Proof of work experience
You must prove each job you include.
Best option: Employer reference letter
Include:
- job title and duties
- dates worked
- hours per week
- salary and benefits
- employer contact details and signature
If you do not have a reference letter:
You can include:
- job offer or contract
- pay stubs
- bank statements showing pay
- tax documents (such as T4s in Canada)
We may ask for more documents if needed.
How work experience affects your score
Work experience is used in two different ways in West Kootenay RCIP:
1. Minimum eligibility
You must have:
- at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of eligible work experience
- or qualify for the international graduate exemption
This gives you the minimum 10 points for this category.
If you do not meet this, your application is not eligible
2. Points in the scoring system
If you meet the minimum, you can earn more points based on how many years of work experience you have.
| Work Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 year (minimum) | 10 points |
| 2 years | 15 points |
| 3 years | 20 points |
| 4+ years | 25 points |
Work experience is rounded down to full years only.
Example:
- 1 year and 10 months → counted as 1 year
- 2 years and 3 months → counted as 2 years
Important: Not all work experience counts
Only work experience that meets all RCIP rules will be counted for points.
This means your work must:
- be paid
- match the required TEER level
- match NOC duties
- meet all eligibility requirements
If part of your experience does not meet these rules, it will not be included in your total years.
How this affects your chances
West Kootenay RCIP is competitive.
- You need at least 10 points in this category to be eligible
- But higher-scoring applications are more likely to be selected
In general:
- 1 year = meets minimum
- 2 to 3 years = more competitive
- 4+ years = strongest
The highest-scoring applications are then reviewed by the Steering Committee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I complete 1,560 hours in less than 1 year?
No.
You must meet:
- at least 1,560 hours, and
- at least 12 months of work
Working more hours does not reduce the time requirement.
Can part-time work count?
Yes.
Part-time work can count if:
- it adds up to 1,560 hours, and
- it was completed over at least 12 months
Can I combine work experience from more than one job?
Yes.
You can combine jobs if:
- the total is at least 1,560 hours
- all work meets the NOC and TEER rules
Does my work experience need to be in the West Kootenay region?
No.
Your work experience:
- can be from any location (inside or outside Canada)
- does not need to be with your current employer
However:
- your job offer must be in the West Kootenay RCIP region, and
- your work experience must still meet all RCIP requirements
Does my work experience need to be with the same employer who is offering me the job?
No.
Your past work experience:
- can be with a different employer
- does not need to be related to your current job offer employer
But it must:
- match the TEER rules
- match the NOC duties
Does unpaid work count?
No.
Only paid work counts.
Does self-employment count?
Usually no.
Most self-employment does not qualify.
There are limited exceptions for certain medical professionals.
I studied in the region. Do I still need work experience?
Maybe not.
Some international graduates are exempt if they meet all requirements. See above for more information on the international student exemption from work experience requirements.
I am an international graduate. How is my work experience counted for points?
If you qualify for the international graduate exemption, you do not need work experience to be eligible.
For scoring: you will receive 10 points (the minimum) for work experience
I am eligible for the international graduate exemption. What if I also have work experience?
If you have eligible work experience, you should still include it in your application.
If your work experience meets all RCIP requirements:
- it can be counted toward your total years of experience
- you may receive more than 10 points
Example:
- 1 year of work experience → 10 points
- 2 years → 15 points
- 3 years → 20 points
- 4+ years → 25 points
Important
- You will receive at least 10 points if you qualify for the exemption
- You can receive more points if you also have eligible work experience
- Only work experience that meets all RCIP requirements will be counted
What if I do not have a reference letter?
Provide as much proof as possible, such as:
- pay stubs
- contracts
- tax forms
- bank records