Major updates are coming to the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) in 2026. If you are an internationally trained lawyer or a Canadian civil law graduate, the new NCA Policy Manual (March 2026) introduces several key changes that will directly impact your path to licensing.The following summary compares the July 2025 Revised Policy with the new March 2026 Policy to help you navigate these transitions.
New Mandatory Competency: Indigenous Law
Perhaps the most significant addition is the introduction of Indigenous Law and Peoples as a required competency.What is required: Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the history of residential schools, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Aboriginal-Crown relations, and systemic discrimination.How to satisfy it: This can be done by completing a course through the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) or another NCA-approved law school course.Timeline: This applies to all applications assessed on or after March 1, 2026.
Updated Language Proficiency Requirements
The process for proving you can practice in English or French has become more structured.New Language Screening: All applicants must now complete a "language screening" before the NCA will even issue an Assessment Decision.
Exemptions: You can be exempt if you provide valid results from an approved test (like IELTS or TEF) that meet the Committee’s minimum scores.
One Attempt: Applicants generally get a single attempt at the screening; if you don't meet the score, you must provide a full, valid language test before receiving your Certificate of Qualification.
Shifting "Mode of Study" Rules
The NCA is transitioning toward stricter in-person requirements to align with the 2024 National Requirement.Current Rule: Most applicants must have obtained at least two-thirds of their degree through "interactive learning" (which can include specifically defined Interactive Online Instruction).Future Shift: For files ready for assessment as of January 1, 2029, the "Interactive Online" option will be removed from this calculation. Two out of three years of the degree must be obtained through In-person Instruction only.
What Should You Do Now?
If you are planning to apply soon, consider how these 2026 dates affect your timeline. If your application is assessed on or after March 1, 2026, you will be responsible for the new Indigenous Law course and the upfront language screening.Would you like me to draft a specific "Next Steps" checklist for your blog readers based on their current stage in the NCA process?
