Syphilis added to list of treatable diseases for RN(C) STI nurses

On Nov. 27, 2025, the BCCNM board approved revisions to the Registered Nurse (Certified Practice) Reproductive Health: Sexually Transmitted Infections (RN(C) – STI) scope to include syphilis treatment. The corresponding changes to the Registered Nurses (Certified Practice): Acting within Autonomous Scope of Practice standard take effect Jan. 26, 2026.

• Review the revised not-yet-in-effect practice standard
  

DSTs and ed​ucation

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has drafted a RN(C) – STI syphilis decision support tool (DST) and both BCCDC and British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) have incorporated relevant updates to the RN(C) – STI course content, which will be effective for the January 2026 term. Further, BCCDC has a stand-alone syphilis course for RN(C)s to complete as additional education.

This change will allow RN(C) – STI to provide the initial treatment for syphilis based on clinical history and assessments. This will allow for earlier treatment of cases and prevention of spread. The staging of syphilis will continue to be completed by BCCDC specialized physicians.

Resources

• BCCDC: STI Certified Practice
• BCCNM: Certified Practice