Speech and Hearing Health Professions

Last updated on July 26, 2024

The College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia(CHCPBC) is the regulatory body established to regulate dietetics, occupational therapy, opticianry, optometry, physical therapy, psychology, and speech and hearing health professions. The CHCPBC was established on June 28, 2024. The CHCPBC resulted from the amalgamation of the College of Dietitians of BC, the College of Occupational Therapists of BC, the College of Opticians of BC, the College of Optometrists of BC, the College of Physical Therapists of BC, the College of Psychologists of BC, and the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC. 

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It was also announced that the Hearing Aid Act would be repealed, effective April 1, 2010.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
   
 

Approved Regulation Amendments

Approved Regulation Amendments Date
Amends the Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation to reflect the name of the amalgamated college: College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia, effective June 28, 2024.   February 27, 2024 
MO 49/2024 
BC Reg 32/2024 
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