Work to develop bylaws for BCCOHP to align with the upcoming Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) has continued, as we look ahead to when the HPOA will come fully into force on April 1, 2026. All health regulators in BC are required to develop new bylaws ahead of this date to ensure compliance with the new legislation.
The remaining three parts of the proposed bylaws are now posted for consultation. This is the second round of bylaw consultation, with the first round happening between September 8 and October 31, 2025 (covering parts 2-12 and 15). The parts now open for consultation include:
- Part 1: Interpretation
- Part 13: Support programs
- Part 14: Accreditation
About the proposed bylaws and the consultation
The proposed bylaws define how BCCOHP will be structured and governed once the HPOA comes fully into effect. They also outline how we will uphold our legal responsibility to protect patients and the public by regulating oral health professionals in BC.
BCCOHP is reaching out to audiences who may be interested in or have feedback on the proposed bylaws. This includes oral health professionals, members of the public and other interested audiences.
Feedback can be submitted in focused “parts” (separate forms for each proposed bylaw part—for example: Interpretation). This way, you can provide feedback on the open sections that are most relevant to you.
Note: We are not seeking feedback on the HPOA itself. The HPOA is government legislation, and any comments about it should be directed to the provincial government. Learn more here >>
About the Health Professions and Occupations Act
Health regulatory colleges in BC are currently governed by the Health Professions Act (HPA). To help modernize health regulation in BC, the government passed the Health Professions and Occupations Act, which will replace the current Health Professions Act on April 1, 2026.
To learn more:
- visit our HPOA webpage
- read HPOA updates on our news page
Questions?
If you have questions about the consultation process or need assistance, please email consultations@oralhealthbc.ca.