Health regulatory colleges in BC are currently governed by the Health Professions Act (HPA). The government has passed new legislation in order to modernize the way health professions are regulated. The Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) is set to replace the current act (the HPA) as the legislative framework governing health professions in British Columbia.
The HPOA was passed in BC Legislative Assembly in November 2022, and will come into force on April 1, 2026*. Until then, the HPA remains the legislation governing oral health professionals and health regulatory colleges in BC.
The HPOA is a government initiative that will primarily bring changes to health regulation at a systemic level. According to the Ministry of Health, the new legislation enables:
The Ministry of Health establishes the framework for health professions regulation in two ways:
Regulatory colleges, like BCCOHP, are responsible for upholding the legislation and regulations, and for establishing bylaws, standards, and limits and conditions that guide and direct health professionals’ practice.
*Some sections of the HPOA are already in force: The BC government has already brought certain sections of the HPOA into force required to establish the Health Professions and Occupations Regulatory Oversight Office. This enabled hiring the Superintendent, Director of Discipline, and other staff, as well as the creation of discipline tribunals in advance of the government putting the remainder of the HPOA fully into force.
Planning for BCCOHP’s transition from the HPA to the HPOA is underway. We are working closely with the BC Ministry of Health and BC’s other health profession regulators to prepare for the transition.
We are committed to keeping our audiences informed as we progress. BCCOHP will share updates, including the HPOA’s in-force date, as more information becomes available.
The Health Professions and Occupations Act follows from:
For more information, read our past news posts and the Ministry of Health’s HPOA FAQ >>