Midwifery
Last updated on December 3, 2020The British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives is the regulatory body established for the health profession of midwifery. On September 1, 2020, the College of Midwives of British Columbia amalgamated with the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals to form the BC College of Nurses and Midwives.
Midwifery has been a designated health profession under the Health Professions Act since March 15, 1995, and is regulated by the College in accordance with the Act, the Midwives Regulation and the bylaws of the College.
Before designation under the Health Professions Act, the profession was unregulated in British Columbia.
Amendments to the Midwives Regulation
Amendments to the Midwives 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 – Midwives Regulation
| Approved Regulation Amendments | Date |
|---|---|
| Amends the Midwives Regulation to enable midwives in BC to prescribe, compound, dispense and administer certain controlled drugs and substances in certain circumstances. | November 24, 2016 MO 461/2016 BC Reg 274/2016 |
| Amends the Midwives Regulation regarding the profession's scope of practice and restricted activities. | April 9, 2009 MO 129/2009 BC Reg 155/2009 |
| Re-enacts the Midwives Regulation, effective October 17, 2008. | October 15, 2008 MO 241/2008 BC Reg 281/2008 |
| Repeals the Midwives Regulation (BC Reg 103/95), effective October 17, 2008. Continues the designation of midwifery under the Health Professions Designation Regulation, effective October 17, 2008. |
October 10, 2008 OIC 737/2008 BC Reg 270/2008 |
| Amends the Midwives Regulation to add one diagnostic test to Schedule 2. | October 10, 2008 OIC 737/2008 BC Reg 270/2008 |
| Amends the Midwives Regulation to add one diagnostic test to Schedule 2. | October 18, 2007 OIC 677/2007 BC Reg 317/2007 |
| Amends the Midwives Regulation to add two drugs to Schedule 1, permit additional uses of one drug already listed in schedule 1, and add two diagnostic tests to Schedule 2. | June 21, 2007 OIC 471/2007 BC Reg 211/2007 |
| Amends Schedule 1 to add two drugs and Schedule 2 to add three diagnostic tests. | July 28, 2005 OIC 551/2005 BC Reg 256/2005 |
| Amends Schedule 1 of the Midwives Regulation to add one drug. | February 11, 2005 OIC 86/2005 BC Reg 32/2005 |
| Amends Schedule 1 of the Midwives Regulation to add four drugs and Schedule 2 to add one diagnostic test. | December 12, 2003 OIC 1227/2003 BC Reg 468/2003 |
| Amends the Midwives Regulation by adding two new reserved acts relating to prescribing and administering drugs and substances and ordering and interpreting screening and diagnostic tests, and adding two Schedules setting out the drugs and substances and tests authorized for midwifery practice. | June 20, 2003 OIC 635/2003 BC Reg 245/2003 |
| Effective December 31, 1999, section 8 of the Midwives Regulation is amended by striking out "December 31, 1999" and substituting "October 31, 2000". | December 17, 1999 OIC 1773/99 BC Reg 448/99 |
| Section 8 of the Midwives Regulation is amended by striking out "December 31, 1998" and substituting "December 31, 1999". | December 18, 1998 OIC 1598/98 BC Reg 472/98 |
| Makes the Midwives Regulation. | March 15, 1995 OIC 269/95 BC Reg 103/95 |
Filed Bylaw Amendments
| Filed Bylaw Amendments | Date |
|---|---|
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing sections throughout. | Filed October 31, 2018 In force December 30, 2018 |
| Amends sections throughout the entire set of bylaws, and amends sections pursuant to amendments to the Midwives Regulation, enabling midwives to autonomously prescribe, compound, dispense and administer three new categories of drugs for specific purposes. | Filed March 2, 2017 In force April 1, 2017 MO 84/2017 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule 3 - Fees for Registration, Renewal, and Examinations. | Filed November 24, 2015 In force January 1, 2016 MO 384/2015 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing forms 1-6. | Filed January 6, 2015 In force March 6, 2015 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Part V regarding registration, adding Schedule 6 regarding recognized midwifery education programs, and adding Forms 1 to 6. | Filed June 6, 2014 In force June 9, 2014 MO 185/2014 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule 3 (fees). | Filed December 13, 2013 In force February 12, 2013 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule 3 (fees). | Filed December 14, 2012 In force January 14, 2013 MO 285/2012 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule 3 (fees). | Filed January 10, 2012 In force March 9, 2012 |
| Amends the bylaws regarding remuneration of board and committee members, composition of committees, the mandate of the quality assurance committee and establishment of a new standards of practice committee, powers of the deputy registrar, and various other matters. | Filed April 14, 2011 In force April 15, 2011 MO 102/2011 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule 3 (fees). | Filed March 13, 2009 In force May 12, 2009 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule 3 (fees). | October 4, 2007 Deposited |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule 3 (fees). | March 2, 2006 Deposited |
| Amends the bylaws by adding a new Schedule 5 (costs). | March 2, 2006 Deposited |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule 3 (fees). | January 18, 2006 Deposited |
| Amends sections 4, 34, 52 and 92 of the bylaws. | December 19, 2005 Deposited |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule 3 (fees). | November 25, 2005 Deposited |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule 3 (fees). | June 10, 2005 Deposited |
| Approves a number of amendments regarding the term of appointments and elections and conditional registration requirements. | October 3, 2002 OIC 892/2002 |
| Amends provisions related to terms of office, payments, and fees (increases the application, registration, renewal, and examination fees). | July 11, 2002 OIC 600/2002 |
| Effective August 1, 2000, with the exception of section 51.1(3), the bylaws of the College are approved regarding: registration requirements, new provisions for student registrants, record keeping requirements, inter-provincial registration reciprocity and revisions to the Schedule of Drugs and Substances. | July 13, 2000 OIC 1036/2000 |
| Amends the bylaws to increase fees for application, registration/renewal and examination registration fees. | January 28, 1999 OIC 121/99 |
| Approves the bylaws of the College. | April 3, 1997 OIC 413/97 |
Other
| Other | Date |
|---|---|
| Orders that the date by which the first election must be held is changed to August 4, 1998. | May 1, 1998 MO 190/98 |
| Orders that the date by which the first election must be held is changed to July 1, 1998. | September 2, 1997 MO 311/97 |
| Designates midwifery as a prescribed health care profession for the purposes of the definition of "practitioner" under the Pharmacists, Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act. | August 1, 1997 OIC 961/97 BC Reg 277/97 |
| Appoints the first board of the College and orders that the first election of professional members to the board must be held on or before July 1, 1997. | March 15, 1995 MO 170/95 |
Contact information
British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives
Website:
www.bccnm.ca