Bylaw consultation: LPN liability protection

BCCNM is currently consulting on a proposed bylaw amendment​ that, if approved, would transition liability protection for LPNs to the Canadian Nurse Protective Society (CNPS). Consultation will remain open until November 14, 2026.​

Professional liability protection or insurance is a requirement for all practising nurses and midwives in British Columbia to:

• ​Compensate individuals who have been harmed due to professional negligence; and
• Protect nursing professionals from the costs of defending an allegation made against them in a civil action, as well as any damages awarded as a result.
  

Reasons for change

As LPN scope and practice continue to evolve and liability claims become more complex and expensive, we want LPNs to have access to the same protection, resources, and support that CNPS provides to other nurses in B.C.:

• CNPS professional liability protection is provided on an occurrence basis, which means that as long as you were a CNPS beneficiary at the time the incident occurred, you would remain eligible for CNPS assistance, even if you are no longer practising.
• As a non-profit professional liability protection provider for nurses, CNPS offers expertise, advice and assistance in managing risk associated with nursing practice. LPNs would have access to “on demand” legal and risk management advice, and legal representation in a wide range of legal proceedings that can arise from nursing practice.
• CNPS would extend assistance to new claims on care provided dating back to 1989.

What this means for LPNs

If approved, we anticipate that current LPNs would become CNPS beneficiaries on January 1, 2027. There would be no immediate cost to or action required from LPNs; to support the transition, BCCNM would pay the cost of CNPS liability protection for LPN licensees for the remainder of the licensing year (ending March 31, 2027). LPNs would pay for CNPS liability protection for the first time during the 2027 renewal period.

Fees

If approved, there would be two costs associated with this change. We recognize that this proposal would result in an increase to the yearly annual licensing fee in a difficult economy. In proposing this transition, BCCNM has given careful consideration to the cost of the protection and the level of protection, services, and support that LPNs would receive as beneficiaries of CNPS.

Yearly CNPS fee: For the 2027-28 licensing year (starting April 1, 2027), the professional liability protection rate for LPNs would be $68+GST. LPNs who are members of Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC (NNPBC) will have access to the group rate of $48+GST.

CNPS transitional fee: When extending services to a new provincial group or professional nursing designation, CNPS applies a temporary transitional fee over a five-year period. This fee will be no more than $25.00 and will end in 2031. To support LPNs in the transition to CNPS, BCCNM would pay this fee for the 2027-28 licensing year. The transitional fee enables CNPS to:

• ​Provide ongoing protection for nursing services prior to LPNs becoming CNPS beneficiaries back to 1989, and;
• Extend services to BC LPNs at the same level as all current beneficiaries, who have been contributing to the legal assistance fund for years.
  

Share your feedback

The bylaw consultation will remain open until November 14, 2026. We encourage you to share your feedback by emailing us at bylaws@bccnm.ca​. Questions? We've provided answers to some of the questions we expect LPNs to have; if you don't see an answer to your question below, please email us at communications@bccnm.ca.

Answering your questions

Why do you want LPNs to become beneficiaries of CNPS?

As LPN scope and practice continue to evolve and liability claims become more complex and expensive, we want LPNs to have access to the same protection, resources, and support that CNPS provides to BC NPs, RNs, and RPNs. As a non-profit liability protection provider for nurses, CNPS can offer specific and expert advice and assistance in managing risk associated with practising nursing in Canada at a level BCCNM expects.

Is the current LPN policy not sufficient?

CNPS offers a different type of protection. Currently, LPNs are covered by a claim-based liability insurance policy; the coverage is designed to respond to civil (and other) claims arising from nursing practice that are commenced while the policy is in effect. It provides limits of $2 million per claim.

CNPS professional liability protection is provided on a discretionary model as part of a comprehensive legal support system, with a range of services focusing on prevention and risk management education. Services include:

• Day-to-day access to legal and risk management advice related to nursing practice
• Professional liability protection and assistance with a various legal proceedings arising from nursing practice.
• PLP is occurrence-based, which means that it is designed to respond to any civil claims arising from care provided while a nurse is a registrant of the CNPS, irrespective of when the claim arises in the future, whether or not the nurse is still a CNPS beneficiary at the time when the claim is issued.  PLP is made available with limits up to $10 million per claim.

I’m covered under my employer. Do I still need individual liability protection?

Yes. While many employers have personal coverage for their employees, others may not provide it, may unknowingly provide an inadequate amount, or may require health care professionals to carry their own professional liability protection. Learn m​ore about the differences between employer-provided liability protection and services offered by CNPS.

How is NNPBC involved in liability protection?

Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC​ has been the CNPS jurisdictional member organization in British Columbia and the administrator for the LPN Navacord malpractice insurance policy​ since 2021. This aligns with other regulated health professionals in BC – including midwives – who access their liability protection through their professional associations.

Why would association members get a preferred rate on CNPS professional liability protection?

Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC has been the CNPS jurisdictional member for British Columbia since 2021 and plays a role in CNPS’s governance structure and national network. As a benefit of membership, nurses who belong to these organizations are eligible for a preferred rate on CNPS Professional Liability Protection and other core services.

Would the cost of CNPS professional liability protection for LPNs the same as it is for RNs?

No. The CNPS rate for RNs is $88+GST. RN licensees who are members of NNPBC can access a preferred CNPS rate of $68+GST.

Would CNPS professional liability protection also extend to an LPN's business and/or their employees?

No. Nurses who operate a business or independent practice must consider different forms of insurance coverage to respond to various legal issues that could arise in the operation of a business.