All health regulatory colleges in BC are required to govern according to the Health Professions and Occupations Act, their specific bylaws, and the regulations.
The BC College of Oral Health Professionals derives its authority from the Act, the regulations, and the BCCOHP Bylaws.
Health Professions and Occupations Act
The Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) is the legislative framework governing health professions in British Columbia. The HPOA was passed in BC’s Legislative Assembly in November 2022 and came fully into force on April 1, 2026 (replacing the Health Professions Act). Regulatory colleges in BC have the authority and duty to oversee the practice of their licensees in order to protect the public. The guiding principles for regulatory colleges are outlined in section 14 of the Act.
The Health Professions and Occupations Act follows from:
For more information, read our past news posts and the Ministry of Health’s HPOA FAQ >>
Regulations
Government uses regulations to establish the names of the regulatory colleges under the Act, and to set out reserved titles, scope of practice statements and restricted activities that the different professions are authorized to provide.
The regulations that apply to BCCOHP are:
Bylaws
The bylaws set out how BCCOHP is structured and governed, how it will uphold its mandate to protect patients and the public, and the regulatory requirements for BC’s 17,000 oral health professionals.
*The bylaws for Licensed Dental Assistants under the HPOA stand separately as Certified Dental Assistants continue to be regulated by BCCOHP as Licensed Dental Assistants (as of April 1, 2026) under the transition provisions of the HPOA.
Health Professions and Occupations Regulatory Oversight Office
This independent office, led by its Superintendent, is established by the Health Professions and Occupations Act to oversee health professional regulatory colleges in the interest of the public. Within the office is a tribunal that holds disciplinary hearings after a complaint and investigation has been made against a regulated health professional to determine disciplinary action. Learn about HPOROO >>
Health Professions Review Board
The Health Professions Review Board (HPRB) is established under the Health Professions and Occupations Act to review, on application, decisions of the regulatory colleges’ licence and investigation committees to make sure they are transparent, objective, impartial, and fair. The HPRB publishes its review decisions here.
Ministry of Health
The Minister of Health has authority over the boards of BC’s health regulatory colleges. More information about professional regulation is available on the Ministry of Health website.
BC Health Regulators
BC Health Regulators (BCHR) brings all health regulatory colleges in BC together to collaborate on improving regulatory practice. The regulatory colleges that are members of BCHR have a shared mandate to serve and protect all British Columbians, ensuring regulated health care professionals deliver competent, safe, and ethical care. bchealthregulators.ca
