Announcing the development of the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC’s new, unified Quality Assurance Program
The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) is pleased to announce the development of a new, unified Quality Assurance Program (QAP) for chiropractors, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists, naturopathic doctors, and massage therapists. To support the transition and ongoing development of the unified QAP, all existing QAP requirements will conclude simultaneously, meaning that:
- Effective February 18, 2026, completion and reporting of existing QA requirements listed below will not be required:
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- Continuing Education (CE)
- Practice Development Programs (PDP)
- Practice Support Program (PSP)
- Required courses
A set of questions and answers below have been assembled to address notable points of interest for licensees that have emerged through the initial development of the unified QAP.
Why develop a unified Quality Assurance Program (QAP)?
As existing QAPs for chiropractors, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists, naturopathic doctors, and massage therapists vary in structure, expectations, requirements, and tools, transitioning to a unified QAP will ensure consistency and set clear expectations for all licensees regulated by the College.
CCHPBC is developing a unified QAP for all licensees regulated by the College to support CCHPBC’s vision as a multi-profession regulator, comply with the requirements in the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), and align all licensees with CCHPBC’s harmonized professional standards.
What does this mean for existing Quality Assurance Programs (QAP)?
Effective February 18, 2026, the existing QAPs for chiropractors, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists, naturopathic doctors, and massage therapists will conclude simultaneously.
Licensees do not need to complete any of the requirements from exisiting QAPs; however, licensees must maintain current knowledge and skills to ensure the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality care.
What is the transition to the unified Quality Assurance Program (QAP)?
In April 2026, CCHPBC launched a self-guided learning series designed to help licensees build a strong understanding of the new, harmonized professional standards.
The Learning Series: Putting Standards into Practice offers practical resources and reflective activities that are designed to support licensees in applying the professional standards in practice. The learning modules released in the series are based on CCHPBC’s nine professional standards and contain workbooks with reflective questions and real-world scenarios to assist licensees on applying the standards in practice. Webinars will also be hosted throughout the learning series to support licensees and strengthen their learning experience.
In fall 2026, licensees will complete a knowledge check on the College’s nine harmonized professional standards. The knowledge check will not be assessed on a pass/fail basis; rather, it will provide feedback on how well licensees understand and apply the new professional standards. Licensees’ participation and review of the learning modules and aggregate results of the professional standards knowledge check will also inform the ongoing design of CCHPBC’s unified QAP, components of which are planned to be introduced in December 2026.
Timeline of development
More Questions and answers:
Should licensees complete the requirements of existing Quality Assurance Programs (QAP)?
While licensees will not be required to report to the College the number of hours and credits of professional development completed, CCHPBC continues to encourage licensees to engage in regular learning activities to support the maintenance and improvement of their professional knowledge, skills, and competencies in the provision of safe and ethical care.
Do non-practising licensees still have to complete outstanding quality assurance requirements from existing Quality Assurance Programs (QAP)?
Are licensees required to report anything during the transition to the unified Quality Assurance Program (QAP)?
No, licensees are not required to report anything to the College during the transition. Engaging with the Learning Series: Putting Standards into Practice is highly encouraged as licensees will complete a knowledge check on the harmonized professional standards in the fall 2026 to gauge understanding and application of the new standards.
Will continuing education (CE) hours from existing Quality Assurance Programs (QAP) transfer to the unified QAP?
Continuing education (CE) hours from existing QAPs will not transfer to the unified QAP. Licensees will not be penalized if they have not met their required hours in their existing QAP.
Licensees will not be asked to report on CE hours or credits in the unified QAP. Licensees are encouraged to continue to engage in regular continuing professional development activities to maintain and improve their professional knowledge, skills and competencies.
Will licensees still have access to existing portals for submitting quality assurance requirements?
What will the unified Quality Assurance Program (QAP) look like?
The unified QAP is being designed to support CCHPBC’s role as a multi-profession regulator, comply with the requirements of the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), and align with principles of right-touch and risk-based regulation. The program will take an evidence-based and person-centered approach to supporting licensee competence, assessment, and professional development, with a focus on promoting safe, ethical, and effective care for patients and the public.
The unified QAP will be grounded in current research and regulatory best practices, with a shift towards reflective practice and continuous improvement rather than prescriptive or purely credit-based learning requirements. Evidence-based learning activities and assessments, and quality improvement processes will be used to support licensees in maintaining competence across diverse practice contexts.
The unified QAP will align with CCHPBC’s harmonized professional standards. These standards establish consistent expectations across all regulated professions and reflect shared principles of quality, safety, professionalism, and person-centered care. As the program is further designed and developed, CCHPBC will continue to refine its approach based on evidence, feedback, and ongoing evaluation of the program to ensure the QAP remains responsive, proportionate, and effective.
Are licensees still required to maintain SFA & CPR-C / BLS / NALS certifications?
Yes, this requirement has not changed.
All Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists are required to obtain and maintain current certification in Standard First Aid (SFA) / CPR-C in accordance with the College Bylaws.
All Naturopathic Physicians are required to obtain and maintain current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for HPC, or CPR for HPC with AED. Naturopathic Physicians with certifications must hold Naturopathic Advanced Life Support (NALS), in addition to BLS (HPC)/CPR for HPC with AED. Naturopathic Physicians must renew their NALS qualification every two years.
For more information, please contact registration@cchpbc.ca with any questions regarding these requirements.
