About regulation
Regulation of health professions is one of the ways the provincial government serves and protects the public. There are 30 regulated health professions in British Columbia. They are regulated by six self-governing bodies, known as colleges. You will find a full list of B.C.'s health profession regulatory colleges on the
BC Health Regulators website.
Health profession regulatory colleges protect the public by setting standards for their licensees. These standards ensure health practitioners provide safe, competent and ethical care to their patients and clients. When regulated health professions do not meet their standards, their college will intervene to protect the public.
BCCNM is empowered by the
Health Professions and Occupations Act to regulate the following health professionals:
- licensed practical nurses
- nurse practitioners
- registered nurses
- registered psychiatric nurses
- midwives
Only licensees who hold practising registration are permitted to use the the legal title "nurse" or "midwife", depending on their respective designation.
BCCNM's responsibilities include:
- establishing the requirements for licensure with BCCNM
- recognizing education programs and courses in British Columbia for midwives and each nursing designation
- establishing, monitoring and enforcing standards of practice and professional ethics for nurses and midwives
- establishing and applying licensing and inquiry procedures that are transparent, objective, impartial and fair
-
promoting and enhancing:
- collaborative relationships with other health sector organizations
- interprofessional collaborative practice between nurses, midwives, and other health professionals
Health Professions and Occupations Act
The
Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) is the government's statute that established a common regulatory system for the province's health professions. It was introduced in 2022 and came into full effect on April 1, 2026. Learn more»
On Oct. 18, 2023, certain sections of the HPOA came into force, to allow for the Health Professions and Occupations Regulatory Oversight Office (HPOROO) to be set up. More information about this office can be found at the HPOROO website.
Regulations
The provincial government decides whether a particular profession should be regulated by a college under the HPOA. For each health profession designated by these cabinet-enacted regulations, the Minister of Health then enacts further regulations to establish the name of the new college responsible for the profession.
Learn more»
Bylaws
Bylaws are legal rules made under the HPOA by and for each college. Bylaws provide a detailed, profession-specific framework for each college's governance and operations. Bylaws are enacted by the college board and subject to oversight by the Minister of Health. Bylaw-making by the college board is an exercise of law-making authority delegated directly to the board by the Legislative Assembly. BCCNM bylaws»
Nurses' & midwives' roles in the work of BCCNM
BCCNM licensees contribute to the regulation of nursing and midwifery professionals by serving on college committees, providing input into standards development, and joining in other BCCNM activities.