Ministry of Health Sets Timeline for College Amalgamations

COTBC recently received a letter from the BC Ministry of Health confirming the amalgamation of 11 health profession regulatory colleges to create:

  • One regulator for dietitians, occupational therapists, opticians, optometrists, physical therapists, psychologists, and speech and hearing health professionals; and
  • One regulator for chiropractors, massage therapists, naturopathic physicians, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists.

The Ministry of Health intends to complete the amalgamation by the end of June 2024. The Ministry has also committed to providing financial support for the resources required to implement the amalgamations.

College amalgamations are part of the Ministry of Health’s multi-year initiative to modernize BC’s health profession regulatory framework, informed by the Cayton Report and the 2020 recommendations of the Steering Committee on Modernization of Health Professional Regulation. Amalgamations have already taken place to create the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC, the BC College of Nurses and Midwives, and the BC College of Oral Health Professionals.

The amalgamating colleges are developing a plan and process for moving this work forward, including engaging a project team. We anticipate having more information to share about our progress by early fall. Updates will be shared on our website as they are available.