Definition

1   In this regulation, "Act" means the Health Professions Act.

Designations

2   (1) The designations of the following health professions are continued for the purposes of the Act:

(a) dental hygiene;

(b) dental technology;

(c) denturism;

(d) dietetics;

(e) massage therapy;

(f) midwifery;

(g) naturopathic medicine;

(h) nursing;

(i) occupational therapy;

(j) opticianry;

(k) physical therapy;

(l) psychology;

(m) psychiatric nursing;

(n) traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

(2) The designation of licensed practical nursing is continued, for the purposes of the Act, as practical nursing.

(3) The following professions are designated for the purposes of the Act:

(a) audiology, hearing instrument dispensing and speech-language pathology;

(b) chiropractic;

(c) optometry;

(d) the practice of pharmacy;

(e) dentistry;

(f) medicine;

(g) podiatric medicine;

(h) clinical perfusion, respiratory therapy, radiation therapy and medical laboratory technology;

(i) psychotherapy.

[am. B.C. Regs. 412/2008, s. 2; 419/2008, App., s. 4; 420/2008, App., s. 6; 421/2008, App., s. 6; 422/2008, App., s. 6; 423/2008, App., s. 6; 169/2010, s. (c); 132/2017; 167/2024.]

Application fee

3   The application fee to be submitted with an application under section 7 (1) of the Act is $2 000.

Cost of investigation

4   The minister may not charge to a health profession association the first $7 500 of costs incurred by the minister in the conduct of the investigation of the health profession association's application under section 7 (1) of the Act.

Fees and costs prorated

5   If the minister conducts one investigation for the designation of a health profession in respect of more than one application under section 7 (1) of the Act, the fee payable under section 3 and the costs in excess of the amount under section 4 may be prorated by the minister between or among the health profession associations that have applied.

Criteria for designation of health professions

6   (1) For the purposes of section 10 (1) of the Act, the minister must consider the extent to which the practice of a health profession may involve a risk of physical, mental or emotional harm to the health, safety or well-being of the public, having regard to the following:

(a) the services performed by practitioners of the health profession;

(b) the technology, including instruments and materials, used by practitioners of the health profession;

(c) the invasiveness of the procedure or mode of treatment used by practitioners of the health profession;

(d) the degree to which the health profession is practised

(i) under the supervision of another person who is qualified to practise as a member of a different health profession, or

(ii) in a currently regulated environment.

(2) The minister may also consider the following criteria:

(a) the extent to which the health profession has demonstrated that there is a public interest in ensuring the availability of regulated services provided by the health profession;

(b) the extent to which the services of the health profession provide a recognized and demonstrated benefit to the health, safety or well-being of the public;

(c) the extent to which there exists a body of knowledge that forms the basis of the standards of practice of the health profession;

(d) whether practitioners of the health profession are awarded a certificate or degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution;

(e) whether it is important that continuing competence of a practitioner of the health profession be monitored;

(f) the extent to which there exists within the health profession recognized leadership which has expressed a commitment to regulating the profession in the public interest;

(g) the likelihood that a college established under the Act would be capable of carrying out the duties imposed by the Act, having regard to factors that may affect the viable operation of the college;

(h) whether designation of the health profession is likely to limit availability of services contrary to the public interest.

Amalgamation of nursing colleges

7   (1) The following colleges are amalgamated into one college:

(a) the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia;

(b) the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia;

(c) the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of British Columbia.

(2) The amalgamation date for the purpose of subsection (1) is September 4, 2018.

[en. B.C. Reg. 69/2018, s. 2.]

Amalgamation of colleges of physicians and surgeons and podiatric surgeons

8   (1) The following colleges are amalgamated into one college:

(a) the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia;

(b) the College of Podiatric Surgeons of British Columbia.

(2) The amalgamation date for the purpose of subsection (1) is August 31, 2020.

[en. B.C. Reg. 128/2020.]

Amalgamation of midwife and nursing colleges

9   (1) The following colleges are amalgamated into one college:

(a) the College of Midwives of British Columbia;

(b) the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals.

(2) The amalgamation date for the purpose of subsection (1) is September 1, 2020.

[en. B.C. Reg. 127/2020.]

Amalgamation of oral health colleges

10   (1) The following colleges are amalgamated into one college:

(a) the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia;

(b) the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia;

(c) the College of Dental Technicians of British Columbia;

(d) the College of Denturists of British Columbia.

(2) The amalgamation date for the purpose of subsection (1) is September 1, 2022.

[en. B.C. Reg. 164/2022.]

Amalgamation of colleges of health and care professionals

11   (1) The following colleges are amalgamated into one college:

(a) the College of Dietitians of British Columbia;

(b) the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia;

(c) the College of Opticians of British Columbia;

(d) the College of Optometrists of British Columbia;

(e) the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia;

(f) the College of Psychologists of British Columbia;

(g) the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia.

(2) The amalgamation date for the purpose of subsection (1) is June 28, 2024.

[en. B.C. Reg. 171/2023.]

Amalgamation of colleges of complementary health professionals

12   (1) The following colleges are amalgamated into one college:

(a) the College of Chiropractors of British Columbia;

(b) the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia;

(c) the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia;

(d) the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia.

(2) The amalgamation date for the purpose of subsection (1) is June 28, 2024.

[en. B.C. Reg. 172/2023.]