The Law Society of BC is making important changes to its Bar admission training program. After careful consideration by Benchers and leadership, the Professional Legal Training Course (PLTC), which has been in operation since 1984, will be gradually retired.
Following a thorough review, the Law Society is pleased to announce we will be adopting the Bar admission training program designed by the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED). We are confident that CPLED’s Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP) will be an enriching and dynamic education experience that will effectively equip future BC lawyers with the relevant skills and depth of knowledge they need to enter the profession.
The time required to transition fully to PREP is expected to take approximately one year. Current PLTC students and those enrolling in the February and May 2026 sessions will not be impacted. Once BC’s PREP course is ready to launch in September 2026, new students will be enrolled, while those who did not pass PLTC in February or May will have access to workshops and be able to take or retake assessments. We expect that in 2027, all BC students will enroll in PREP.
The decision to transition programs comes after careful review and consideration by Benchers and leadership and the adoption of the Western Canada Competency Profile. PREP has already been implemented as the Bar admission program in Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and Saskatchewan and has been refined since its inception based on data and user feedback, which show positive outcomes. Having a consistent Bar admission program in these provinces and territories allows for parallel standards of training and aids in mobility for new lawyers.
“After more than 41 years of running the successful PLTC program, the Law Society recognizes that the needs of law students and the competencies required to practice law have significantly evolved, and updated training was required,” said Law Society CEO/Executive Director Gigi Chen-Kuo. “I want to thank all the staff and instructors who have made immense contributions to PLTC over the past four decades. This decision is not, in any way, a reflection of your much-valued expertise and hard work.”
Currently, PLTC students attend a full-time, 10-week course offered three times a year. The course was designed to be completed in person; however, it has been delivered virtually since 2020 due to COVID-19 impacts.
PREP will be offered in an accelerated 11-week format or a standard nine-month format as an online program with tools to encourage virtual engagement in mind. Students complete learning modules as they advance through four phases of the program, which is designed for virtual learning.
The program is built on best practices and helps future lawyers gain practical skills and competencies with a consistent, integrated approach that combines interactive, transactional learning and simulation. Each phase builds on the last, as students work through more complex activities and develop competencies. The exercises assess not just knowledge but how students apply oral and written lawyering skills, as well as ethics, client relationship management and practice management skills.
While there are benefits to an online-only course, especially for students living outside of the Vancouver area, the Law Society also plans to incorporate opportunities for students to connect in person with peers and mentors to allow for networking and social connection. In addition, PREP supports student engagement through services like PREP Recess and PREP Connect, which facilitate networking within each cohort and across jurisdictions.
More information on the details of the transition, including FAQs, can be found on the Upcoming Changes to Bar Admission Program webpage. If you have any questions, please reach out to pltctransition@lsbc.org.
