Ministry shares updated regulations related to transition to HPOA 

The Ministry of Health has shared two updates relating to the transition to the new Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA). 

• In-force date 
  The HPOA will come into effect on April 1, 2026, replacing the current Health Professions Act (HPA). 
   
• Updated regulations 
  Updated regulations for health professions to align with the HPOA have been posted by the Ministry of Health and are publicly available on the BC government website. They outline the name of the college that regulates each health profession, reserved titles, scope of practice statements, activities restricted to the health profession and limits or conditions on practice. 
  
  Although the updated regulations are available now, they will not come into effect until the HPOA comes into force on April 1, 2026.  

What this means for oral health professionals 

BC’s health professions will continue to be regulated under the existing HPA until April 1, 2026. BCCOHP is working to review and interpret the updated regulations and will share more information with oral health professionals in advance of April 1, 2026.  

Learn more about the HPOA, and how oral health professionals are regulated in BC on the BCCOHP website >>