Speech and Hearing Health Professions
Last updated on December 1, 2023The College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia is the regulatory body established for the health professions of audiology, speech-language pathology and hearing instrument dispensing.
Audiology, speech-language pathology and hearing instrument dispensing have been designated health professions under the Health Professions Act since December 15, 2008, and are regulated by the College in accordance with the Act, the Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation and the bylaws of the College.
Transition of Speech and Hearing Health Professions to the Health Professions Act
Prior to April 1, 2010, audiology and speech-language pathology were unregulated in British Columbia, and hearing aid dispensing was regulated by the Board of Hearing Aid Dealers and Consultants under the former Hearing Aid Act.
In January 2001, the former Health Professions Council recommended that audiology and speech-language pathology be designated under the Health Professions Act. The Council also issued a report on hearing aid dispensing at the same time.
Repeal of the Hearing Aid Act was provided for in the Health Planning Statutes Amendment Act, 2002.
As required by the Health Professions Act, the Ministry gave initial notice of the proposed Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation on May 3, 2007. Notice of a revised draft of the proposed Regulation was given by the Ministry on July 4, 2007. The Ministry gave notice of the final draft of the proposed Regulation on October 24, 2008.
On December 11, 2008, the government announced that, effective December 15, 2008, the professions of audiology, speech-language pathology and hearing instrument dispensing were designated under the Health Professions Act, and the new College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia was established.
It was also announced that the Hearing Aid Act would be repealed, effective April 1, 2010. The Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation was enacted at the same time, but with some provisions not in force until April 1, 2010.
On December 11, 2008, the Minister appointed the first board of the new College, and ordered that the first election of professional members to the board must be held by October 1, 2010.
On October 16, 2009, the new College gave notice of proposed bylaws under the Health Professions Act. The bylaws came into force on January 1, 2010, and the new College began accepting applications for registration.
On April 1, 2010, the government announced completion of the transition. The College assumed full responsibility for regulating all three professions, and the Board of Hearing Aid Dealers and Consultants was dissolved as of that date.
The first election of professional members to the board was completed on August 30, 2010.
Amendments to the Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation
Amendments to the Speech and Hearing Health Professionals 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 |
|---|---|
|
Propose amendments to the Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation (PDF, 808KB) to reflect the proposed name of the amalgamated college: College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia |
December 1, 2023 |
Approved Regulation Amendments
| Approved Regulation Amendments | Date |
|---|---|
| Changes the effective date of the repeal and replacement of section 6 (3) from April 1, 2012, to October 1, 2012, and removes from the new section 6 (3) the cross-references to section 5 (2) (b) and (c), so that the certification requirement imposed by the new section 6 (3) will apply only to the performance of restricted activities set out in section 5 (2) (e) and (f). | March 30, 2012 MO 088/2012 BC Reg 74/2012 |
| Changes the effective date of the repeal and replacement of section 6 (3) of the Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation from April 1, 2011, to April 1, 2012. | March 31, 2011 MO 082/2011 BC Reg 63/2011 |
| Amends sections 5 and 6 of the Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation respecting restricted activities for speech-language pathologists, and limits and conditions on restricted activities for audiologists and hearing instrument practitioners, effective April 1, 2010. Repeals and replaces section 6 (3) of the Regulation regarding limits and conditions on hearing instrument dispensing services to individuals under the age of 16 years, effective April 1, 2011. |
April 1, 2010 MO 103/2010 BC Reg 94/2010 |
| Makes the Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation, effective December 15, 2008. (Sections 3 to 6 not in force until April 1, 2010.) | December 12, 2008 MO 304/2008 BC Reg 413/2008 |
| Brings into force the repeal of the Hearing Aid Act, effective April 1, 2010. Designates audiology, hearing instrument dispensing and speech-language pathology under the Health Professions Designation Regulation, effective December 15, 2008. |
December 12, 2008 OIC 965/2008 BC Reg 412/2008 |
Filed Bylaw Amendments
| Filed Bylaw Amendments | Date |
|---|---|
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule D – Acceptable Academic Program. | Filed April 12, 2021 In force June 14, 2021 |
| Repeals and replaces the bylaws. | Filed April 28, 2020 In force June 29, 2020 |
| Amends the bylaws by amending Schedule A, Fees. | Filed October 3, 2019 In force December 2, 2019 |
| Amends the bylaws relating to board procedures and general meetings, and updates language to confirm with the Health Professions Act. | Filed August 27, 2018 In force October 26, 2018 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule E, Registrant Code of Ethics. | Filed July 31, 2018 In force September 29, 2018 |
| Amends sections 138 and 139 of the bylaws relating to delegation to non-registrants. | Filed March 22, 2018 In force May 21, 2018 |
| Amends the bylaws by amending Form 11: Advanced Competency Certificate Renewal. | Filed March 29, 2017 In force May 28, 2017 |
| Amends the bylaws to clarify a number of issues. | Filed March 14, 2017 In force May 13, 2017 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Section 78 regarding registration renewal, Schedule A: Fees, and Schedule C: Fees for Information Requests. | Filed January 31, 2017 In force April 1, 2017 |
| Amends the bylaws by amending Part 12, regarding delegation to non-registrants. | Filed December 5, 2016 In force February 3, 2017 |
| Amends the bylaws by amending section 1, repealing and replacing sections 4, 8, 66(1)(a), 67(2)(a)(i), and 71(2), and repealing section 71(3) | Filed November 1, 2016 In force January 1, 2017 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing forms 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11. | Filed April 5, 2016 In force May 9, 2016 MO 121/2016 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing sections throughout the entire set of bylaws, including amendments pertaining to registration requirements. | Filed March 9, 2016 In force May 8, 2016 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing section 28 (1) regarding the certified support personnel committee and making miscellaneous other changes | Filed April 12, 2013 In force April 15, 2013 MO 116/2013 |
| Amends the bylaws to establish the advanced competency certificate program for hearing instrument services to children aged 12 - 16 years (Certificate D). | Filed April 12, 2013 In force April 15, 2013 MO 115/2013 |
| Would have amended the bylaws by adding a new Part 12 and making other related amendments to establish regulation of certain classes of certified non-registrants. | Filed January 29, 2013 Disallowed March 28, 2013 MO 079/2013 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Forms 2 to 4, 8 and 11. | Filed July 16, 2012 In force September 14 2012. |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing all forms. | Filed March 24, 2011 In force April 1, 2011 MO 071/2011 |
| Amends the bylaws regarding conditional active registration classes, advanced competencies certification and various other matters. | Filed March 24, 2011 In force April 1, 2011 MO 070/2011 |
| Makes miscellaneous minor amendments to the bylaws. | Filed March 23, 2010 In force March 23, 2010 MO 092/2010 |
| Makes the bylaws of the College. | Filed December 23, 2009 In force January 1, 2010 MO 301/2009 |