BCCNM is preparing for the
Health Professions and Occupations Act coming into force on April 1, 2026. As part of these preparations, we are simplifying and clarifying quality assurance (QA) requirements for midwives. The following announcement summarizes these changes.
If you have questions, please email
qualitymidwives@bccnm.ca.
On Feb. 26, 2026, the BCCNM board rescinded several policies related to midwifery QA. This change takes effect April 1, 2026.
- Rescinded policies
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Policy on Active Practice Requirements
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Policy on Alternate Practice Arrangements
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Policy on Peer Case Review
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Policy on New Registrant Requirements
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Quality Assurance Program Framework for RMs
-
Quality Assurance Program: Prescribing Controlled Substances
Updating QA requirements
Work is underway to update Quality Assurance requirements for April 1, 2026, including developing
new requirements for annual licensing or "currency requirements." We will be communicating directly with midwives about these requirements in the coming weeks.
- Key changes to currency
The proposed direction for midwifery currency is informed by extensive feedback from midwives gathered through BCCNM's consultations.
Midwives will be expected to complete 900 practice hours over a rolling three‑year period, including 300 clinical hours.
Annual reporting of midwifery practice hours is expected to begin in 2027; the 900‑hour requirement will need to be met by March 31, 2029.
BCCNM will review midwives' reported hours in 2027–28 to ensure that this requirement is attainable.
This proposed change aligns with BCCNM's requirements for nurse practitioners and responds to midwife feedback. BCCNM will continue exploring options for non‑clinical midwifery licensure over the next year.
- Removal of Alternate Practice Arrangements (APAs)
Existing APAs are being reviewed, and BCCNM will contact midwives who are affected.
Most APAs will be dissolved under the proposed new currency requirements.
APAs that cannot be phased out will become limits or conditions on a midwife's licence.
These changes will not affect practice. Midwives will continue to practise within their individual scope and competence and must meet all applicable BCCNM standards.
- New midwives
For new midwives, their first three years of practice will now be referred to as their “consolidation period".
“Active practice requirements" will now be called “midwifery consolidation requirements".
The minimum birth requirements of 40 births during the three-year consolidation period will remain unchanged.
- Harmonization of QA requirements across professions
BCCNM is aligning QA requirements for nurses and midwives. Effective April 1, 2026, midwives will need to complete an annual “Personal Practice Review" (PPR) to maintain their licence.
- PPR includes self assessment, peer feedback, professional development planning and evaluation, and a midwifery case review.
- More information on this transition will be shared in the coming months.
- Updated QA requirements for certified midwives
BCCNM is aligning QA requirements across all midwife certification programs. Under the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), specialized practice will now be known as
certification. Effective April 1, 2026:
Midwives will be able to use the title “certified”
Midwife specialized practice frameworks will transition to practice standards
Certified midwives must maintain recent clinical experience, providing at least one course of care or treatment every three years for each certification they hold.
Certified midwives will also be required to complete a goal related to their area of certification (such as reviewing new guidelines or taking a course to update skills) each year to maintain their certification.
Standards and registration changes
- Review of midwifery practice standards and future consultations
BCCNM is reviewing midwifery practice standards to align with QA changes, including revising the standards that require midwives to provide “comprehensive care during pregnancy, labour, birth, and postpartum" and provide “care in a variety of settings including hospitals, homes and alternate community-based locations".
Further consultation with midwives will continue in 2026 to assess whether additional standards—such as intrapartum care, mentorship, or certification requirements—will be required.
- Non-practising licensure for midwives
Following feedback from the midwifery community, BCCNM will maintain non practising midwife class of licensure for existing non practising licensees until 2029. This decision was made after hearing concerns about the impact on midwives working in non clinical roles.
Current non‑practising midwives may continue in this class provided they renew by March 31, 2026; however, once cancelled or expired, the non practising status cannot be reinstated. This temporary extension allows time for BCCNM to address regulatory gaps related to non clinical midwifery practice areas, such as education, research, and administration, while avoiding unintended consequences during the transition.