​Frequently Asked Qu​​est​io​ns

​The Health Professions a​​nd Occupa​​tions Act ​ (HPOA) will replace the Health Professions Act (HPA) on April 1, 2026.

Below is a list of questions we've received. Don't see the information you're looking for? Email communications@bccnm.ca. 

Will the HPOA change the scope of practice for health professionals?

The scopes of practice outlined in the professional regulations may look and read differently for many regulated health professionals as they were written to align with the HPOA. However, most health professionals’ scopes of practice are not changing, and regulated health professionals will still be permitted under the HPOA to perform the same activities they were permitted to perform under the HPA.

Visit the regulations page for more information.

What is the Health Professions and Occupations Regulatory Oversight Office?

The HPOA establishes the Health Professions and Occupations Regulatory Oversight Office, a new, independent office separate from the Ministry of Health/B.C. government and regulatory health colleges. This new Office will oversee the regulatory colleges by promoting accountability, transparency, and accessibility in the public interest.

The Director of Discipline leads a discipline tribunal within the new HPOROO and is also independent of the Ministry of Health/B.C. government and the regulatory health colleges.

More information about the Health Professions and Occupations Regulatory Oversight Office and the tribunal is available on the HPOROO website.

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Are there any new requirements for my regulatory col​leg​e in the HPOA?

Regulators must adhere to guiding principles as set out in the HPOA (Sectio​n 14), including:

• Protect the public from harm and discrimination
• Support and promote awareness of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
• Address racism and anti-racism issues that are specific to Indigenous Peoples
• Take and promote anti-discrimination measures
• Act in a fair manner, including by demonstrating respect for the principles of procedural fairness
• Respect privacy.

The guiding principles also require health regulatory colleges to:

• Promote collaboration between themselves and between health-care providers
• Remove unnecessary barriers to licensure for practitioners from outside BC
• Act transparently and provide opportunities for meaningful public engagement.

While the HPOA’s guiding principles apply to regulators, health professionals are bound by duties outlined in the HPOA, as well as by bylaws, practice standards and other requirements determined by their regulatory college.​​​​​​​​​​

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