Professional liability protection

All practising nurse practitioners in British Columbia are required to hold professional liability protection (PLP).

CNPS PLP transitioning to BC nursing association

Effective March 1, 2021, BCCNM will transfer administration of CNPS professional liability protection to Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC, the provincial nursing association.

Learn more about how this change will impact you.

CNPS: Your professional liability protection provider

Professional liability protection (PLP) is a registration requirement, but the college does not provide PLP to registrants. The Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS) provides PLP for all BCCNM nurse practitioners. CNPS is an independent, not-for-profit organization that is specifically tailored to meet the professional liability needs of nurses.

CNPS PLP fees

Practising registrants pay a fee upon initial registration to become beneficiaries of CNPS and gain access to their services. This status is renewed annually by paying a CNPS fee at registration renewal. See the fees page for details.

Contact CNPS

CNPS website
Phone: 1.800.267.3390
Email: info@cnps.ca (non-confidential messages only)

When to call CNPS

Any unusual occurrence or incident
A patient or family member complains about your care
You receive court documents or a notice that you are being sued
You receive a warning or threat advising of intent to begin legal action or to sue
You become aware of a request for information concerning a patient's record or care
You are concerned that circumstances in your practice could result in legal proceedings
You receive a subpoena or court order to appear as a witness
The police wish to speak with you regarding your nursing practice or an event that occurred during the course of your practice
Any other circumstance in which you are unsure of your professional/legal obligations

Learn more on the CNPS website

What CNPS can do for you

Legal advice

Information about professional obligations and liability issues
Prompt, confidential access to legal advisors
Explanation of legal steps to be taken/avoided when an incident occurs
Pre-contractual review of professional service agreements

Assistance with legal proceedings

Claims and civil proceedings
Criminal investigations and prosecutions
Statutory offences
Witness appearances
General legal assistance

Risk management and education

Educational material on a wide range of subjects
Interactive risk management presentations and webinars

Commercial general liability

All NPs are also covered by Commercial General Liability insurance provided by Encon Group Inc. If you have questions about this policy, please direct them to Nurse and Nurse Practitioners of B.C.