Frequently Asked Questions

The HPOA will:

• commit to anti-discrimination, cultural safety and humility 
• improve governance by moving to competency-based appointment process for board members 
• strengthen oversight by creating the Office of the Superintendent of Health Profession and Occupation Oversight 
• create a safer complaints process and a new independent disciplinary hearing process 
• improve information sharing 

CCHPBC will be working to design and implement its work and processes in accordance with the above goals, as outlined by the Ministry of Health. Once implemented, the HPOA will guide the processes that support the functions and mandates of health regulators in B.C. 

The HPOA will create some changes in regulatory language; for example, upon the in-force date all regulated health professionals will be referred to as “licensees” rather than “registrants.”   

The Office of the Superintendent of Health Professionals and Oversight (OSHPO) will oversee all health regulatory colleges in B.C., ensuring they continue to be transparent, accountable, and operate in the public interest. The Office’s role includes making merit-based recommendations to the Minister of Health for board appointments, conducting oversight activities (e.g. audits, investigations, general reviews), establishing performance standards for regulators, and making recommendations for the regulation of currently unregulated health professions. 

Read the province’s announcement appointing Sherri Young as the new superintendent on June 7, 2024. 

CCHPBC will continue to have a board and committees. Under the HPOA, CCHPBC’s board will be composed of equal numbers of licensees (registrants) and representatives of the public. Supported by the registrar, CCHPBC’s knowledgeable and diverse board members will work together to fulfill the college’s public protection mandate by providing strategic leadership and organizational direction.

Under the HPOA, the Superintendent’s Office will be responsible for selecting and recommending board members to the Minister of Health and has committed to doing so in consultation with the colleges. The Minister of Health is responsible for appointing all board members.

CCHPBC will continue to handle the intake of complaints and subsequent investigations; however, it will no longer determine disciplinary outcomes for more serious matters.

Under the HPOA, a discipline tribunal will be formed and led by an independent director of discipline. The director will be appointed by the Minister of Health and will be housed within the Superintendent’s Office. The director will create independent panels to determine disciplinary action for misconduct. 

The discipline panel must consist of one licensee, a member of the public, and a specialist in the area of concern. Colleges will be responsible for enforcing the disciplinary orders decided by the discipline panel.

Under the HPOA, only disciplinary actions and summary protection orders (limits, conditions, suspensions) will be published on a licensee’s profile in the CCHPBC directory. However, if a complaint results in a request for a citation, that request may be subject to publication.  

Complaints lacking evidence will be dismissed. Additionally, complaints that do not result in disciplinary action, warnings, and advice will not be published or made public. Colleges will, however, be able to acknowledge that they have received a complaint or disposed of a complaint in order to respond to public sources such as the media. 

Under the HPOA, all eligibility, ethics, practice, and accreditation standards must become bylaws, which ensures that action can be taken if a contravention occurs.  

The board will be required to seek the advice of professional standards advisors for bylaws about eligibility, ethics, and practice standards. The professional standards advisors must have relevant education, training, qualifications, and experience that allows them to give expert advice. Professional standards advisors who give advice on ethics, practice, and eligibility standards must also be authorized to practice the profession to which the standards relate.  

Consultation will be required for any new or amended bylaws. 

The draft HPOA bylaws will be completed, published for consultation, and presented to the Board.  Please note that consultation dates may be revised based on the in-force date of the HPOA when determined. 

Licensees (registrants) and other health regulators will be notified by email as the draft bylaws and online feedback forms are published on our website.