Health profession regulation
Publication date: April 1, 2026
Explore how health profession regulation protects the public by ensuring anyone providing regulated health services is trained, ethical and accountable.
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Health profession regulation
In Canada, each province is responsible for regulating its health professions and establishing its own regulatory framework to govern those professions.
The Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) is the regulatory framework for regulated health professions in B.C. The Minister of Health is responsible for the HPOA.
Health profession regulation helps to:
- Ensure health professionals have the right training, education and skills
- Provide consistent and high‑quality services
- Protect patients through a clear and accessible complaints process
- Increase the public’s trust in the health system
Learn more about the HPOA and its regulations.
Many groups and individuals play a part in B.C.’s health profession regulatory framework. Review the roles and responsibilities under the HPOA.
Learn more about how you can get involved in public consultation to shape B.C.’s regulatory system.
Regulated health professions
There are 26 regulated health professions in B.C.:
- 25 of these are regulated by 6 regulatory colleges
- Emergency medical assistants are regulated by the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board under the Emergency Health Services Act
Many social workers also work in health care. They are regulated by the British Columbia College of Social Workers under the Social Workers Act.
Regulatory colleges
Under the HPOA, 6 regulatory colleges regulate 25 regulated health professions.
| Regulatory college: | Professions regulated: |
|---|---|
| College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC) |
|
| BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) |
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| BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) |
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College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) |
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