Medicine
Last updated on September 9, 2021The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia is the regulatory body established for the health profession of medicine.
On August 31, 2020, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia amalgamated with the College of Podiatric Surgeons of British Columbia. The amalgamated colleges continue under the name: College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.
Medicine has been a designated health profession under the Health Professions Act since June 1, 2009, and is regulated by the College in accordance with the Act, the Medical Practitioners Regulation and the bylaws of the College.
Medicine has been a regulated profession under British Columbia legislation since 1867. The College was established in 1898. Before designation under the Health Professions Act, the profession was regulated under the former Medical Practitioners Act.
Transition of Medicine to the Health Professions Act
Repeal of the Medical Practitioners Act was provided for in the Health Professions Amendment Act, 2003.
As required by the Health Professions Act, the Ministry gave initial notice of the proposed Medical Practitioners Regulation on November 21, 2006. The Ministry gave notice of the final draft of the proposed Regulation on October 24, 2008.
On December 12, 2008, the government announced that, effective June 1, 2009, the repeal of the Medical Practitioners Act would be brought into force and the profession of medicine would be designated under the Health Professions Act. See Changes to Health Profession Act for the announcement.
On April 9, 2009, the Minister appointed the first board of the College under the Health Professions Act, and ordered that the first election of professional members to the board must be held by June 1, 2011.
On May 1, 2009, the College gave notice of proposed bylaws under the Health Professions Act. Comments were requested to be submitted to the College and the Ministry by May 12, 2009.
On June 1, 2009, the government announced completion of the transition. See B.C. Modernizes Regulation of Medical Profession (PDF, 21KB).
The first election of professional members to the board was completed on April 5, 2011.
Amendments to the Medical Practitioners Regulation
Amendments to the Medical Practitioners Regulation and to most College bylaws are subject to a three-month notice period, unless the Minister specifies a shorter period.
The College is responsible for giving notice of proposed bylaw amendments, including posting them on the College website, and all bylaw amendments must be filed with the Minister to be effective. Filed bylaws come into force 60 days after the date of filing, unless the Minister either disallows the change or specifies an earlier date, or the College withdraws the change.
The full text of the current bylaws and information about any proposed bylaw amendments may be obtained by contacting the College. Comments on proposed bylaw amendments should be submitted to both the College and the Ministry
Proposed Regulation Amendments
| Proposed Regulation Amendments | Notice Date |
|---|---|
Approved Regulation Amendments
| Approved Regulation Amendments | Date |
|---|---|
| Amends the Medical Practitioners Regulation to require medical practitioners to only perform medical assistance in dying in accordance with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC's Standards, Limits and Conditions. | June 6, 2016 MO 203/2016 BC Reg 129/2016 |
| Makes the Medical Practitioners Regulation, effective June 1, 2009. | December 12, 2008 MO 309/2008 BC Reg 416/2008 |
| Brings into force the repeal of the Medical Practitioners Act, effective June 1, 2009. Designates medicine under the Health Professions Designation Regulation, effective June 1, 2009. |
December 12, 2008 OIC 972/2008 BC Reg 423/2008 |
Filed Bylaw Amendments
| Filed Bylaw Amendments | Note |
|---|---|
| Amends the bylaws by amending Section 2-6: provisional – preregistration requirements. | Filed January 7, 2021 In force January 8, 2021 MO 011/2021 |
| Amends the bylaws by amending Section 2-26. | Filed January 7, 2021 In force January 8, 2021 MO 014/2021 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule A – Fees and Schedule C – Administrative Penalties Code. | Filed December 2, 2020 In force December 31, 2020 MO 440/2020 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Section 2-16. | Filed May 26, 2020 In force May 27, 2020 MO 170/2020 |
| Amends the bylaws in Section 2-24 and repeals and replaces Schedule A – Fees. | Filed May 28, 2020 In force May 29, 2020 MO 172/2020 |
| Amends and replaces Section 2-5 and Schedule A – Fees. | Filed January 22, 2020 In force March 23, 2020 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Section 1-7, Part 2 - Registration, and Schedule A - Fees. | Filed March 4, 2019 In force May 3, 2019 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule A - Fees, and Schedule C - Administrative Penalties and Costs. | Filed November 23, 2018 In force January 1, 2019 MO 524/2018 |
| Amends various sections throughout the bylaws for the purposes of 'housekeeping'. | Filed January 12, 2018 In force March 13, 2018 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Part 4, Section A, and by renumbering Part 4, Section B. | Filed December 8, 2017 In force February 6, 2018 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule A related to fees. | Filed November 23, 2017 In force January 1, 2017 MO 387/2017 |
| Amends various sections throughout Part 5, Section A and Schedule C of the bylaws to revise the Non-Hospital Medical and Surgical Facilities Accreditation Program. | Filed October 31, 2017 In force December 30, 2017 MO 368/2017 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing section 1-19 regarding the Quality Assurance Committee, repealing section 9-2 regarding Methadone Maintenance, and repealing and replacing section 9-3 regarding Prescription Review. | Filed April 5, 2017 In force June 5, 2017 MO 154/2017 |
| Amends the bylaws by amending section 1-8 regarding eligibility for election. | Filed December 13, 2016 In force January 9, 2017 MO 492/2016 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule A (fees). | Filed November 29, 2016 In force January 1, 2017 MO 481/2015 |
| Amends the bylaws by amending section 2-8(3) regarding re-entry to practice. | Filed August, 26, 2016 In force October 25, 2016 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule A (fees) | Filed December 29, 2015 In force January 1, 2016 MO 468/2015 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule A (fees). | Filed November 27, 2015 In force January 1, 2016 MO 389/2015 |
| Amends the bylaws by making changes to the quality assurance committee. | Filed July 21, 2015 In force September 19, 2015 |
| Amends the bylaws to makes changes for the assessment class of registrants. | Filed January 12, 2015 In force March 12, 2015 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and Replacing Schedule A (fees). | Filed December 29, 2014 In force January 1, 2015 MO 468/2014 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule A (fees). | Filed November 29, 2013 In force January 1, 2014 MO 307/2013 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing section 3-6 to extend the minimum retention period for medical practice records from 7 years to 16 years. | Filed May 15, 2013 In force June 1, 2013 MO 124/2013 |
| Amends section 2-23 to 2-27 and Schedule A of the bylaws regarding the authorization of post-graduate residents to practise as clinical associates. | Filed April 12, 2013 In force April 15, 2013 MO 117/2013 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule A (fees). | Filed November 30, 2012 In force January 1, 2013 MO 256/2012 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing section 1-29 (powers of registrar) and Part 2 (registration). | Filed December 29, 2011 In force January 1, 2012 MO 358/2011 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule A (fees). | Filed December 2, 2011 In force January 1, 2012 MO 325/2011 |
| Amends the bylaws regarding electoral districts and election procedure. | Filed December 14, 2010 In force December 15, 2010 MO 360/2010 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule A (fees). | Filed November 23, 2010 In force January 1, 2011 MO 342/2010 |
| Repeals and replaces all bylaws of the College. | Filed August 4, 2010 In force August 5, 2010 MO 223/2010 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule A (fees). | Filed June 30, 2010 In force June 30, 2010 MO 202/2010 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule A (fees). | Filed December 17, 2009 In force January 1, 2010 MO 294/2009 |
| Repeals all rules of the College under the Medical Practitioners Act, and makes the bylaws of the College under the Health Professions Act. | Filed June 1, 2009 In force June 1, 2009 MO 146/2009 |
Contact information
College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia
Website: http://www.cpsbc.ca