Dental Hygienist Initial Registration

Timeline

If you have registered with BCCOHP at any time in the past, please see Annual Renewals. 

All registration applications take five to six weeks to process from the date that a complete application is received. 

Until notified by email that registration has been approved, an applicant is not allowed to work as a dental hygienist in BC. 

Preparing to Apply

Carefully review the information contained within the Registration Information Guide. We also provide a checklist of the requirements to assist you in the application process.

If the applicant is currently registered in good standing in the ‘Registered Dental Hygienist’ category or equivalent in another Canadian jurisdiction recognized under the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), they are eligible to register in BC without being required to take any additional examinations prior to registration.

All information required regarding registration in good standing and AIT is requested in the Registration Application. Please review the Registration Application carefully and provide all information required regarding registration in another Canadian jurisdiction.

The BCCOHP will require a valid letter of good standing from any and all jurisdictions where the applicant has been registered to practice dental hygiene. All applicants must notify BCCOHP of all jurisdictions in Canada and internationally where they have been registered to practice dental hygiene.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that your email host will accept our email notices. 

To complete the registration process, you will need: 

  • Your contact information 
  • Your relevant education information 
  • Notarized ID with the photo notarization form 
  • Criminal Record Check (CRC)
    **RCMP Police Check will not be accepted. All Criminal Record Checks must be completed with the BC Ministry of  Public Safety and Solicitor General and must have been completed within the last 6 months. For those unable to complete the CRC online or who have been “locked out” by the Ministry’s website, please contact the BCCOHP Registration Office for assistance**
  • Jurisprudence Education Module Certificate of Completion 
  •  Recent graduates should confirm that their program and/or educational facility has been approved by the College (approved programs are listed in Schedule C)
  • Proof of eligibility to practice LA (Not applicable to those who have graduated in the past 5 years from a DH program in BC) 
  • For previously registered dental hygienists only: Certificate of Standing from ALL jurisdictions in which you have been registered to practice dental hygiene using the form provided 
  • For those previously registered in another profession only: Certificate of Standing from all jurisdictions in which you have been registered to practice any other profession using the form provided 
  • Liability insurance in the amount of at least $1 million per occurrence in a form that is satisfactory to the College. If you are currently registered in another jurisdiction and currently have CDHA insurance, please contact CDHA directly to discuss your membership options. You will be prompted in the online application form to provide your insurance policy details and a copy of your proof of insurance document. 
  • Payment of Fees (see schedule A, depending on submission method) 

Application

BCCOHP offers online registration only. 

BCCOHP’s registration year runs from April 1 each year until March 31 the following year. Registrants renew for April 1, regardless of your initial registration date.

Online application

The online application allows Canadian and U.S. (only) applicants to electronically submit their registration information instantly. Payment by Mastercard, Visa, Visa Debit, or Interac Debit is accepted. Applicants from outside North America should contact the College for payment options. 

If you have your documents ready, begin the online application process. 

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