The HPOA Project delivered key resources to support consistency across regulatory colleges in ensuring they would be in compliance with the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) when it came into force on April 1, 2026.
The HPOA Project included several key deliverables:
- Developing model bylaws
- Integrating the new governance requirements
- Establishing a common process for the development of standards, and developing common standards/templates where possible and appropriate
- Developing complainant support programs
- Aligning the principles that underpin quality assurance programs
- Agreeing on standardized approaches to:
- process applications for registration and licensure
- process complaints
- process permits.
Of particular importance were specific new expectations for colleges around public orientation, Indigenous-specific anti-racism and anti-discrimination measures. These core concepts were embedded in all project work and deliverables.
To support the six regulatory health colleges with the significant work needed to prepare for, and align with, the HPOA, the Ministry of Health provided BCHR with $4.5 million to fund the HPOA Project.
News & Updates
- BCHR accepting applications for Support Workers February 6, 2026 OVERVIEW: On behalf of participating regulatory colleges, BCHR is accepting applications for Support Workers. As a Support Worker, you will assist individuals in navigating a regulatory health college’s complaints process when those individuals have alleged that a regulated health practitioner has committed an act of sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, or… Read more
- BCHR issues request for proposals (RFP) for development of framework for Support Programs required under HPAO January 28, 2026 OVERVIEW: BCHR is seeking a qualified firm or consultant to develop an evaluation framework for three support programs required under the incoming HPOA. The framework will assess the effectiveness, impact, and efficiency of the programs, and will inform future improvements. LINK TO RFP ON BC BIDS: https://bcbid.gov.bc.ca/page.aspx/en/bpm/process_manage_extranet/224256 DETAILS: In 2022,… Read more
- New health profession legislation comes into force on April 1, 2026 July 16, 2025 The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the Health Professions Act (HPA) will be repealed on April 1, 2026 and replaced by the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA). This date is confirmed by Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) regulations that were approved on July 16, 2025. In addition, on… Read more
- REVISED: BCHR issues request for proposals (RFP) for support services for regulatory colleges June 3, 2025 BCHR has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to support the implementation of the support services program by regulatory colleges. Support services will provide complainants with access to counselling or other services that will support them during the complaint process, including (if applicable) any resulting hearing process. Read more
- BCHR issues request for information (RFI) for counselling support services to support the HPOA Project February 26, 2025 In 2022, the BC government introduced and passed new legislation: The Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA). The provision for support programs and support workers for complainants is new under the HPOA. While some sections of the HPOA are in force to allow for the creation of the Office of… Read more
Consultation and engagement
The HPOA Project impacted many groups and individuals in B.C. as it informed how regulatory health colleges will continue to regulate health professionals to protect the public. As such, the project actively engaged partners in the creation, validation and communication of the project deliverables that impact them..
Contact Us
If you have questions about this project, please contact BCHR by emailing: info@bchealthregulators.ca