​BCCNM's Registration Department reviews and assesses every application for registration, including reinstatement, to determine if an applicant meets BCCNM's registration requirements. Some applications may require further review by the Registration Committee if complexities are identified that may affect an applicant's ability to demonstrate they meet the competence, fitness to practice, and good character requirements. Your application may be considered to have complexities related to BCCNM's requirements if you:

• Are a former registrant or non-practising registrant who has been, or is currently being, investigated by BCCNM
  
• Have been, or are currently, in a health regulator's inquiry or discipline process in another jurisdiction
  
• Have been charged or convicted of a criminal offence
  
• May have submitted inaccurate information on your application to BCCNM
  
• Have a health condition that impairs, or may impair, your ability to practise, or
  
• Have engaged in unregistered practice;

Or if you fall into one of these categories:

• are an applicant for a nursing designation with limited (or no) recent practice experience, or
  
• are an applicant for the midwifery designation with limited (or no) recent clinical experience

Please note: applications considered to have complexities are not limited to the situations listed above.

Application process

If you believe there may be complexity to your application, please follow the standard application process and pay the applicable fees. Upon submission and after an initial review of your application, you will be contacted to ensure we have all the required standard documentation to support your application.

Following collection of the required standard documentation, if your application requires review by the Registration Committee, your application will be assigned to a member of the Registration Cases team.  At this stage, you may also be asked to provide additional information such as practice and education history, a competency assessment, reflective statements, references, medical expert opinions, and court records.

BCCNM manages a high volume of applications. All applications are processed in the order they are received and as quickly as possible.

Timelines

Depending on the requirement(s) being considered and the complexities associated with your application, it may take several months or longer before a determination is made regarding your eligibility for practising registration.

Factors that may impact processing times include:

• The volume of applications BCCNM is managing
  
• The level of complexity and number of issues identified in your application
  
• The seriousness or level of risk raised by of the issue(s)
  
• The length of time it may take to obtain any required documentation/information
  

Registration Committee

The Registration Committee is comprised of registrants and public representatives, appointed by BCCNM's board, and holds the highest authority at BCCNM for making registration decisions. The committee's authority is set out in the Health Professions Act and BCCNM's bylaws.

Do applicants appear before the Registration Committee?

Applicants do not appear before the committee but can address the committee in writing.

How does the Registration Committee reach a decision?

The committee will consider all information submitted. The committee's decisions are guided by the Health Professions Act, BCCNM's bylaws, and BCCNM's policies.

When will my application be reviewed?

The Registration Committee meets in panels approximately once a month. When specific applications are reviewed by the committee depends on a number of factors, including when assessments are complete, the required composition of the panel members, and the volume of applications requiring Registration Committee review.

How will I be notified of the Registration Committee's decision?

If your application is before the Registration Committee for consideration, you will be notified of the committee's decision by email within 30 days of the meeting.

Registration Committee process

After reviewing your application and all other information submitted, the Registration Committee may decide to:

Grant practising registration

Should the Registration Committee determine you have satisfactorily met the registration requirements, you will be eligible for practising registration.

Grant practising or provisional registration with limits and/or conditions

Limits or conditions may include passing the required exam, practising with only a specific employer, obtaining a satisfactory employee evaluation, completing a regulatory practice consultation, or undergoing a period of medical monitoring.

Require additional steps be taken before being considered eligible for registration

Additional steps may include completing coursework or a regulatory practice consultation, or passing the recognized exam.

Require additional information before making a decision

Additional information may include medical information, references, or personal reflections.

Refuse practising registration

Should the Registration Committee determine you have not demonstrated you satisfactorily meet the registration requirements, you will not be eligible for practising registration.

Registration Committee decisions

Committee decisions are posted on the BCCNM website when directed by the Registration Committee.

Jan. 23, 2020: N​ame withheld

In November 2019, BCCNP determined an RN Applicant required limits and conditions on practice, pursuant to Section 20(2.1) of the Health Professions Act. The RN Applicant was reviewed for good character and fitness concerns, as a result of providing false information to the college, misappropriating medications while in practice, and obtaining a diagnosis of substance use disorder by a medical expert. Any limits and conditions applied to practice by the Registration Committee under section 20(2.1) of the Act are made to protect the public. 

Review the decision