As I previously shared, the Ministry of Health confirmed on July 16 that the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) will come into force on April 1, 2026. The transition to the HPOA has been a priority for CPSBC over the last year and will continue to be so as we work towards the in-force date. I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the work that has been done so far and to outline some of our next steps.
HPOA Bylaws
New CPSBC Bylaws under the HPOA will also come into effect on April 1, 2026. CPSBC has been consulting with registrants and the public over the last several months on drafts of the new Bylaws and is starting the process of consulting with Indigenous governing bodies, which is an expectation outlined in the HPOA.
Patient safety is at the forefront of CPSBC’s work and there are opportunities to align that with the government’s goal of enhancing public protection through the HPOA and the new Bylaws.
Registrants still have an opportunity to provide feedback on the Bylaws that are currently posted for consultation until August 31, 2025. Your input is important, and I strongly encourage all of you to share your feedback. Responses will be reviewed and considered once the consultation period has ended. Internal policies and procedures are also being drafted to support the implementation of the Bylaws once they are in effect.
Health professions regulations
In addition to the announcement about the HPOA, the BC government posted updates to the regulations for each health profession. The regulations outline:
- the name of the regulatory college that regulates each profession
- reserved titles
- scope of practice
- activities restricted to particular health professions
- limits or conditions of practice
There are no changes to the scope of practice for physicians and surgeons. The updated regulations are available on the .
The new regulations will also add professions to BC’s health regulatory framework. The following diagnostic and therapeutic professions will be regulated by CPSBC starting November 29, 2027:
- clinical perfusionists
- medical laboratory technologists
- radiation therapists
- respiratory therapists
In the fall, I plan to meet with the respective associations to learn more about each of these professions. An internal team will manage the transition by consulting with each profession, developing new policies and procedures, and updating standards. We look forward to incorporating these professions into CPSBC’s regulatory framework over the next two years and advancing public safety in more areas of BC’s health-care system.
In future, physician assistants (PAs) will transition from their current certified non-registrant status to become CPSBC licensees under the HPOA. CPSBC will be ready to begin this process when the Ministry of Health starts its consultation on the scope of practice for PAs. The anticipated timing of PAs becoming licensees is 2029. More information will be provided once the details and timelines for this change have been reviewed.
Looking ahead
In the interim, CPSBC will continue to operate under the existing Health Professions Act until the HPOA comes into force. We will keep working with government and other health regulators, and start discussions with the incoming professions, to ensure a consistent and smooth transition to the new legislation.
As always, we will provide more updates on this work as key milestones are met.
Patrick Rowe, MD, CCFP (EM), FCFP
Registrar and CEO
Comments on this or any other article published in the ºÚÁÏÉç Connector can be submitted to the communications and public affairs department at communications@cpsbc.ca.