PSW Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I apply for the CDSBEO PSW program?

A: To apply for the CDSBEO PSW program, complete the Step One application form and upload all required documents. Applications are reviewed for completeness, and those meeting the criteria move to conditional acceptance. You’ll receive a link to download a registration package, including a medical form to be completed by your doctor. Submit all paperwork by the specified deadline. After submission, your registration will be reviewed, and you’ll be scheduled for an entrance interview. Bring all paperwork to the interview. Acceptance is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the program starts in either September or February, depending on the intake period.

Q: What are the admission requirements for the PSW program?

A: Applicants must be Ontario residents, permanent residents, or refugee claimants, and be at least 18 years old with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or 19 years old without an OSSD. Reliable transportation, access to a computer, and the necessary fitness level to perform PSW duties are also required.

Q: What documents are needed during the application process?

A: Proof of residency, proof of Canadian Citizenship or Citizenship & Immigration Canada Documentation, a photocopy of your Secondary School Transcript, a current clear vulnerable sector screening check, immunization records, a completed medical form, proof of a Two-Step TB test, influenza vaccine, and COVID-19 vaccine records.

Q: Are step-one applications automatically considered for the next program?

Yes! To enroll in the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program at the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO), you do not necessarily need an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). You must be at least 18 years old to apply and the program offers a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process. PLAR is an official evaluation and credit-granting process that allows mature students to earn credits for knowledge and skills acquired through hands-on life experiences. This means that if you have relevant experience or previous training, you may be able to earn credits towards your OSSD.

Q: Can I take the program online?

A: No. Our program is not available online. You are expected to be in class 5 days a week from approximately 8:30-3:30

Q: How long is the PSW program and what does it include?

A: The program is 690 hours long, including 330 hours of in-class instruction, 90 hours of on-site supervised clinical, and 270 hours of co-op workplace experience.

Q: What courses are included in the PSW program?

A: The program includes modules on Health Care (Grade 11 and 12 levels), supervised clinical placements, and cooperative/consolidation placements in long-term care and community settings.

Q: Can I work while taking the program?

A: Although some students are able to maintain a job, most students find that the course is too heavy to maintain a job and maintain the academic standards necessary for certification.

Q: Where are the placements?

A: Our clinical placements are arranged close the school location and are dependent on class size. Typically, the furthest clinical placement is about 25 minutes away from the classroom. Consolidation placements are found, where possible, in the students home community and are based on student preferences and strengths.

Q: What is the cost of the PSW program and what is the refund policy?

A: Currently, the PSW program is FREE as it is covered by the Ministry to support the increased needs of PSW's in the health care field. Funding for the program has been approved until March 2026. Typically, the program costs $1,800.00, due in full prior to the start. Students must submit formal written notification of withdrawal within 10 business days of the beginning of a course to receive a refund, minus a $500.00 administrative fee.