The Health Professions and Occupations Act

About The Health Professions and Occupations Act

The Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) will replace the Health Professions Act (HPA) as the regulatory framework governing health profession regulatory colleges and the professions they regulate in British Columbia.

The HPOA was enacted in 2022 and will come into full force on April 1, 2026, and the HPA will be repealed on the same date. Until the HPOA comes into full force, the HPA will continue to serve as the regulatory framework for health professions. The Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act (PODSA) will continue to provide the regulatory framework governing pharmacies and drug scheduling in British Columbia. Some provisions of PODSA will be consequentially amended by the HPOA to reflect the new regulatory framework under the HPOA.

CPBC Bylaws Under HPOA

On February 27, 2026, the Board of the College of Pharmacists of BC approved new bylaws for the College under the Health Professions and Occupations Act.

These bylaws will come into force on April 1, 2026.

New HPOA Bylaws →

Revised CPBC Bylaws Under PODSA

On February 27, 2026, the Board of the College of Pharmacists of BC approved revised bylaws for the College under the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act.

These bylaws have been filed with the Ministry of Health and will come into force on April 1, 2026.

Revised PODSA Bylaws →

Learn more about the HPOA at the following links:

changes at a glance

The table below shows some of the key changes you’ll see under HPOA as of April 1, 2026.

Terminology Changes

Currently

As of April 1, 2026

Notes

Health Professions Act (HPA)

Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA)

Some sections of the HPOA are already in force; the rest will come into effect on April 1, 2026. Review the HPOA here.

Pharmacy professionals are Registrants

Pharmacy professionals are Licensees

Documents, website, and forms to be updated.

Limited Registration

Provisional Licence

Limited Registration will become a Provisional Licence, with existing limits, conditions, and remaining renewal period(s) carried over.

Temporary Registration and Non-Practicing Registration

Not applicable

The non-practicing and temporary classes are discontinued under the structure of the new Act.

Registration email

Licensure email

New email

New email

New emails will be active on April 1, 2026.

Discipline Changes

Currently

As of April 1, 2026

Notes

Less serious disciplinary outcomes are not required to be published if the matter is resolved without a formal hearing.

All disciplinary orders are subject to publication.

If a college asks the Director of Discipline to issue a citation, the reasons for the college's request must also be published.

Discipline determined by colleges.

Discipline will now be determined by the Discipline Tribunal within the Health Professions and Occupations Regulatory Oversight Office (HPOROO).

Learn more about the Health Professions Discipline Tribunal on the HPOROO website.

Statutory Committee Changes

Currently

As of April 1, 2026

Notes

Registration Committee

Licence Committee

Board members are no longer permitted on statutory committees.

Inquiry Committee

Investigation Committee

Governance Changes

Currently

As of April 1, 2026

Notes

Annual General Meeting

Not applicable

AGMs are no longer required under the new Act.

Board members elected by registrants, public members appointed by the Minister of Health.

All Board members appointed by the Minister of Health.

Elections will be discontinued under the HPOA and the Superintendent will be responsible for recruiting, assessing, and recommending candidates to the Minister of Health for appointment.

Board is comprised of 70% registrants, 30% public members.

Board is comprised of 50% licensees and 50% public members.