Failing one part of the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) licence exam doesn't mean starting over. You only retake the part you failed, and it costs less than the full exam.
The harder part is timing. Sittings run twice a year, results take about eight weeks and some retakes need approval. This guide walks you through the rules, fees and dates, so you can plan the next six months around your family and work. If you're new to the exam, start with our complete guide to the CCHPBC exam.
Do You Have to Retake the Whole CCHPBC Exam?
No. You only retake the part you failed, and CCHPBC's fee for one part is $372 to $1,040, compared with $1,970 for the full exam.
Each part is marked on its own, and you need to pass all three before you can apply for your licence.
| Part you failed | What you redo | Fee per attempt (from November 3, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Knowledge and Theory (CKT) | The three-hour, 150-question online exam | $490 |
| Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) | The full hands-on assessment | $1,040 |
| Law, Ethics and Professionalism (LEP) | The seven online modules, then the 90-minute exam | $372 |
In practice: a CKT retake costs about a quarter of the full exam fee. A PBA retake costs about half.
How Many Times Can You Retake the RMT Exam in BC?
You're entitled to one retake of any part you fail. A third or fourth attempt needs approval from CCHPBC's Licence Committee, under bylaws in effect April 1, 2026.
| Attempt | Allowed? | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| First | Yes | Your application, documents and the full exam fee |
| Second | Yes, for each part you failed | Registration for a later sitting and the fee for that part |
| Third | Only if the Licence Committee approves | Proof you've finished one or more courses on the subjects you failed |
| Fourth | Only if you meet criteria the committee sets | Whatever those criteria require |
What this means: your second attempt matters most. If it doesn't go well, you'll need to finish coursework before you can ask for a third, which can push you back a sitting.
Your Real Deadline: Three Years From Graduation
You need to apply for your licence within three years of graduating. CCHPBC's licence application asks for proof that you graduated from a recognized program no more than three years before you apply.
Here's what that means if you graduate in the summer and write the exam that fall:
- Your chances: by our count, two sittings a year gives you about six, including your first
- Your later attempts: a third or fourth attempt needs approval and coursework first, so you may not be ready for the very next sitting
- Your dates: if your timeline is tight, confirm them with CCHPBC at applications@cchpbc.ca
How Long Until You Can Retake the CCHPBC Exam?
Usually about six months. CCHPBC runs its licence exam twice a year, in spring and fall, and sends results about eight weeks after the last part.
Here's how the fall 2026 sitting ran, according to CCHPBC's exam dates and locations:
| Step | Fall 2026 sitting |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | June 26, 2026, at noon PDT |
| Cancellation deadline | August 26, 2026, at noon PDT |
| PBA in Burnaby | One day between September 14 and October 9 |
| CKT in Metro Vancouver, the Okanagan or Vancouver Island | October 13, 14 or 15 |
| LEP exam online | Any time from October 19 to 21, with one attempt |
| Results | Around mid-December, by our estimate |
Watch the spring deadline. Spring 2027 dates weren't posted when we checked on October 22, 2026. CCHPBC's exam components guide places the spring sitting around March. For fall 2026, the deadline came about 11 weeks before the first exam week. If spring follows the same pattern, its deadline could land just weeks after fall results, so get your documents and fee ready early.
How to Plan Your Retake
CCHPBC's CKT blueprint and its guide to each part tell you a lot about what's tested. Use them to focus your study.
If You Failed the CKT
The CKT tests how you apply what you know, not just what you remember.
- Focus on assessment: it makes up 60% to 70% of the questions, and treatment makes up the rest
- Work through case sets: many questions come in groups of two to four about one patient
- Train your pace: you get about 1.2 minutes per question, and bathroom breaks count toward the three hours
- Study from the source: CCHPBC bases the exam on its entry-level practice competencies and foundational knowledge guidelines
If You Failed the PBA
The PBA is tightly timed, and your charting is graded throughout.
- Part 1: 15 minutes to palpate four muscles, show their actions and muscle test each one
- Part 2: 7.5 minutes to interview the patient, then 7.5 minutes for two assessments
- Part 3: a 30-minute treatment, then 10 minutes of home care advice
Run full timed rehearsals with a partner, charting included. Get used to choosing the two assessments that best fit what the interview tells you.
If You Failed the LEP
You'll go through the seven online modules again, passing each quiz with 100% before the exam opens. Treat them as study time, and review CCHPBC's bylaws, practice standards and Code of Ethics, which the course draws on.
For habits that help with all three parts, see our RMT exam study tips.
Budgeting a Retake When You Have a Family
The exam fee is only part of the cost. Plan for:
- Fees: $372 to $1,040 per part, or $1,530 to retake both the CKT and PBA
- Cancelling: $310 if you cancel 15 days or more ahead; otherwise, CCHPBC's refund policy considers refunds only for medical reasons
- Travel and child care: the fall 2026 PBA was in Burnaby, so Okanagan and Vancouver Island candidates may need a trip and time off
- Delayed income: each extra sitting usually adds about six months before you can apply for your licence ($225) and start working as an RMT
Our breakdown of what RMTs take home in BC can help you plan for that gap.
Treat Your Retake as a Six-Month Project
A failed part usually costs you one sitting, not the whole exam. Protect your second attempt, keep the three-year window in mind and get your application ready before results arrive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Pass Mark for the CCHPBC RMT Exam?
CCHPBC doesn't publish a fixed pass mark. For the CKT, testing specialists set the passing score at each sitting, so it can shift slightly. You only learn whether you passed or failed.
Can You See What You Got Wrong on the CCHPBC Exam?
No. CCHPBC doesn't share incorrect answers or give you a score out of 150. Use the blueprint's weightings and your practice results to find weak spots.
Can You Get Exam Accommodations for a Retake?
Yes, but you need to ask again. CCHPBC's accommodations policy requires a new request, with supporting documents, for each exam you take.
