CRA's minimum education standards

Occupational groups
AC - Actuarial Science LS - Library Science
AU - Auditing MG - Management
CO - Commerce PS - Psychology
CS - Computer Systems SI - Social Science Support
ES - Economics, Sociology and Statistics SP – Services and Programs
FI - Financial Management  
HR/RH - Human Resources Definitions and requirements

AC – Actuarial Science

AC-01 education standard

A degree from a recognized postsecondary institution, with an acceptable specialization in actuarial science; and

Successful completion of at least three examinations from the Society of Actuaries.

Acquired rights

Permanent incumbents of AC-01 positions in the CRA who, on June 17, 2019, did not meet the minimum education standard are deemed to have met the minimum education standard based on their education, training, and/or experience.

AC-02 and AC-03 education standard

Eligibility for fellowship in the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.

AU – Auditing

Education standard

The eligibility for a designation from a recognized professional accounting association; or

A degree from a recognized postsecondary institution with acceptable specialization in accounting*.

* Acceptable specialization in accounting must include the following mandatory study area and two of four optional study areas:

Mandatory study areas:

Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Advanced Financial Reporting or FA4 or Advanced Financial Accounting or Advanced Accounting

Two of four optional study areas:

  1. CPA Audit and Assurance or AU1 or Auditing or Internal Auditing or Internal Control
  2. CPA Introductory Management Accounting or MA1 or Cost Accounting or Management Accounting 1 and 2
  3. CPA Intermediate Management Accounting or MA2 or Management Accounting or Management Accounting 4 or Advanced Management Accounting
  4. CPA Information Technology or MS1 or Accounting Information Systems or Information and Computer Systems or Management Information Systems

Some of the courses listed above may require a combination of courses to be considered equivalent depending on the recognized postsecondary institution. The courses required for the acceptable specialization in accounting may or may not be part of a degree program, but must be accredited by a recognized postsecondary institution or a recognized professional accounting association.

The acceptability of courses is determined by comparing the courses from the postsecondary institution taken by a candidate to the courses on the transfer credits or prerequisite studies lists issued by the CPA or one of the previously recognized professional accounting associations. The courses must be compared to the closest academic year during which the courses were taken. The terminology may vary depending on the program, recognized postsecondary institutions or recognized professional accounting associations.

When academic qualifications are unclear or where a course does not appear in any of the transfer credits or prerequisite lists, the candidate is responsible to have their studies in question assessed for equivalency.

Acquired rights

Previous acquired rights will continue to be recognized for former and current incumbents who had previously been deemed to meet the education standard of the AU group. However, if an acceptable specialization in accounting is required for a position, an employee who has acquired rights but does not have the acceptable accounting courses cannot be considered for the position.

Exceptions to the education standard may be applied for certain positions. In these cases the education required will be listed on the job notice.

CO – Commerce

Education standard

A degree from a recognized postsecondary institution with an acceptable specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Acquired rights

Permanent incumbents of CO positions in the CRA, who on June 17, 2019, did not meet the minimum education standard are deemed to have met the education standard for CO jobs not listed in the exceptions below.

Exceptions

CO0002 – Research and Technology Policy Advisor (CO-02)

CO0003 – Research and Technology Policy Coordinator (CO-03)

CO0004 – Research and Technology Manager (CO-03)

CO0005 – National Technology Sector Specialist (CO-03)

CO0007 – Research and Technology Advisor (CO-02)

CO0012 – Research and Technology Officer (CO-01)

Education standard for jobs under the exceptions

A postgraduate degree from a recognized postsecondary institution with an acceptable specialization in a field of science or engineering relevant to the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program. Candidates possessing a bachelor’s degree in engineering or computer science with an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience will be considered as meeting the education standard.

Acquired rights for jobs under the exceptions

Permanent incumbents of CO positions in the CRA linked to jobs found in the exceptions, who on June 17, 2019, did not meet the minimum education standard are deemed to have met the education standard for jobs found in the exceptions of the same level only. To qualify for appointments to higher levels, permanent incumbents must possess the education standard under this exception.

CS – Computer Systems

Education standard

A degree or a diploma from a recognized postsecondary institution, in computer science, information technology (IT), information management, or other specializations relevant to the position; or

Any degree from a recognized postsecondary institution; and

Three years of IT experience (must be validated by the Information Technology Branch CS Education Committee).

Whenever the minimum education standard is met, it is met for all CS positions within the CRA, unless the position being staffed requires a higher level of education than the minimum education standard.

Acquired rights

Permanent incumbents of the CS group in the CRA who, on February 6, 2002, did not meet the minimum education standard are deemed to have met the minimum education standard based on their education, training, and/or experience.

ES – Economics, Sociology and Statistics

Education standard

A degree from a recognized postsecondary institution, with an acceptable specialization in economics, sociology, or statistics. The specialization may be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training, and/or experience.

FI – Financial Management

Education standard

A degree from a recognized postsecondary institution with a specialization in accounting, finance, business administration, commerce, or economics; or

The eligibility for a designation from a recognized professional accounting association.

Acquired rights

FI-01

Permanent incumbents of FI-01 positions in the CRA who, on May 25, 2006, did not meet the minimum education standard are deemed to have met the minimum education standard for the FI-01 level only.

FI-02, FI-03, and FI-04

Permanent incumbents of FI-02, FI-03, and FI-04 positions in the CRA who, on May 25, 2006, did not meet the minimum education standard are deemed to have met the minimum education standard for all FI levels.

HR/RH - Human Resources

Education standard

A degree from a recognized postsecondary institution.

Whenever the minimum education standard is met, including through an approved alternative, it is met for all positions in the HR/RH occupational group within the CRA, unless the position being staffed requires a higher level of education than the minimum standard.

Acquired rights

Permanent incumbents of the PE or HR/RH group who, on October 1, 2009, did not meet the minimum education standard are deemed to have met the minimum education standard based on their education, training and/or experience.

LS – Library Science

Education standard

A master’s degree from a recognized postsecondary institution in library science or in library and information science; or

A bachelor’s degree from a recognized postsecondary institution in library science or in library and information science, where another bachelor’s degree was a prerequisite.

 

MG – Management

Education standard

A secondary school diploma or CRA-approved alternatives.

Note: Some MG positions require a higher education standard based on the nature of their duties, business requirements, and/or the organizational context. Certain positions may require either eligibility for a recognized professional designation or a degree from a recognized postsecondary institution with an acceptable specialization.

Acquired rights

Permanent incumbents of the MG group who, on January 8, 2004, did not have a secondary school diploma or meet the CRA-approved alternative criteria, are deemed to have met the minimum education standard only for positions whose educational standard is a secondary school diploma or a CRA-approved alternative.

PS – Psychology

Education standard

A master’s degree from a recognized postsecondary institution with specialization in personnel psychology, psychometrics, industrial psychology, clinical psychology or other speciality relevant to the position.

SI – Social Science Support

Education standard

Successful completion of two years of postsecondary education, with an acceptable specialization in statistics, accounting, economics, business administration, history, sociology, a law-related field, or other specializations relevant to the position.

SP – Services and Programs

1. Education standard for SP-01, SP-02, and SP-03

Successful completion of two years of secondary school or CRA-approved alternatives.

Exceptions to the education standard may be applied for certain positions. In these cases, the education required will be listed on the job notice.

2. Education standard for SP-04 to SP-10

A secondary school diploma or CRA-approved alternatives.

Exceptions to the education standard may be applied for certain positions. In these cases, the education required will be listed on the job notice.

3. Education standard for SP jobs requiring knowledge of accounting

Group I –Education standard for Introductory Accounting

A secondary school diploma or CRA-approved alternatives; and

Successful completion of the following course or field of study from a recognized postsecondary institution or from a recognized professional accounting association:

Group II – Education standard for Intermediate Accounting

A secondary school diploma or CRA-approved alternatives; and

Successful completion of the following courses or field of studies from a recognized postsecondary institution or from a recognized professional accounting association:

Acquired rights for SP jobs requiring knowledge of accounting - Group I and Group II

Employees who have a two-year accounting certificate formerly issued by Revenue Canada Taxation are deemed to meet the requirements for Introductory and Intermediate Accounting.

As of November 1, 2011, permanent incumbents of Excise Duty Officer SP0458 (SP-06) and Excise Technical Advisor SP0470 (SP-07) jobs, are deemed to meet the Intermediate Accounting requirements for Group II.

Permanent incumbents of SP positions in Group I and II who, on March 14, 2008, did not meet the minimum education standard are deemed to meet the accounting requirements for their position and all other positions in their specific group (Group I or Group II). This provision will be recognized indefinitely for these individuals.

The acquired rights also apply to permanent incumbents of SP positions in Group I and II, on January 2, 2007, as a result of the ACS‑SP job consolidation exercise.

4. Education standard for SP jobs requiring knowledge of supply-chain management (formerly the PG group)

Any degree from a recognized postsecondary institution; or

A three year diploma from a recognized postsecondary institution in business administration, commerce, economics, materiel management, e‑business, logistics, or other specializations relevant to the position.

Acquired rights for SP jobs requiring knowledge of supply-chain management

Permanent incumbents of positions linked to these jobs, and all federal public service employees of the PG group who, on April 1, 2010, did not meet the minimum education standard are deemed to have met the minimum education standard based on their education, training, and/or experience.

Definitions and requirements

Acquired rights

When a minimum education standard is raised, acquired rights (grand-parenting protection) may be provided to permanent incumbents who occupy positions in that group and level at that point in time. Acquired rights provide protection for individuals who do not meet the new credentials. Permanent incumbents are deemed to meet the new minimum education standard based on their education, training and/or experience in that group and level.

CRA-approved alternatives

CRA-approved alternative to two years of secondary school

CRA-approved alternatives to a secondary school diploma

Notes:

If candidates already have a score of 28 (or above) on the GCT1-207 test, they do not need to re-take it to meet the alternative to a secondary school diploma.

If candidates have taken the General Intelligence Test - GIT-320 as an alternative to a secondary school diploma and passed (pass mark is 80), they do not need to take the GCT1-207 for this purpose. Candidates can use their score on the GIT-320 as an alternative to a secondary school diploma.

CRA-approved alternative to university graduation

Notes:

If candidates already have a score of 58 (or above) on the GCT2-314 test, they do not need to re-take it to meet the alternative to a university graduation.

If the candidates have taken the General Intelligence Test - GIT-310 as an alternative to a university graduation and passed (the pass mark is 68), they do not need to take the GCT2-314 for this purpose. Candidates can use their score on the GIT-310 as an alternative to a university graduation.  

Degree

Baccalaureate or undergraduate degree, as established by educational authorities. Some minimum education standards may specify for a higher level degree.

An applied degree meets the definition of a degree at the CRA.

An associate degree does not meet the definition of a degree at the CRA.

Eligibility

The term “eligibility” means that a candidate has met all academic and occupational requirements with respect to degrees, examinations, experience, etc., prescribed by the professional association, without having to obtain or maintain actual registration, certification or membership.

Foreign credentials

Candidates with foreign education credentials must have their education confirmed by a recognized credential assessment service.

Candidates with foreign designations must have their designation confirmed by the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).

Any applicable fees are the responsibility of the candidate.

Recognized postsecondary institution

A Canadian public or private institution that is recognized or authorized to grant degrees, diplomas, and other credentials by a public or private act of the provincial/territorial legislature or through a government-mandated quality assurance mechanism. The institution must be listed in the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials directory.

Recognized professional accounting association

The recognized professional accounting designations are: Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA), Chartered Accountants (CA), Certified General Accountants (CGA), or Certified Management Accountants (CMA).

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