The College of Chiropractors of British Columbia, or CCBC, is the regulatory body that licenses chiropractors in our province and sets standards of practice to protect the public. In order to maintain a license to practice, all chiropractors must meet a strict set of guidelines including graduation from an chiropractic college, criminal record check clearance and ongoing education requirements. In addition, all registered chiropractors are required to abide by the Health Professions Act (HPA) that was created by the BC Government and the CCBC by-laws and professional conduct handbook. All regulated BC health professions must be licensed under a regulatory college. These criteria mean that patients rest assured that chiropractors are trusted, primary caregivers. Patients also have recourse through the CCBC if they feel they were treated inappropriately under the care of a BC chiropractor. The CCBC investigates and disciplines chiropractors that do not abide by the bylaws or legislation and takes patient concerns very seriously.
As often confused by the word “College” in our name, CCBC is not an educational institution or professional association. As outlined to the column on your left below, to be an effective, transparent, and impartial regulator, it is important that CCBC conducts its regulatory duties as prescribed by the Act and is in service to the legislative mandate of a regulator to protect the public interest. Learn more about the CCBC in our video “What is the College of Chiropractors of BC?”
Regulator
Professional Association
Registration is mandatory in order to practise.
Membership is optional.
Neutral and impartial, acting in the public interest.
Key functions:
- Setting and enforcing:
- entry-to-practice requirements.
- professional and clinical standards of practice.
- requirements for continuing competence (quality assurance & professional practice).
- Maintaining a public register of those authorized to practise.
- Ensuring members of the public can submit complaints, and take action when needed.
- Taking action against non-registrants engaging in unlawful practice and unlawful use of restricted titles.
May have the following functions:
- Advocating for issues that impact the professions.
- Advocating for opportunities for practitioners to engage in policy development.
- Providing education and professional development opportunities.
- Providing networking opportunities.
The following activities do not fall under CCBC’s role as a regulator:
- Regulating clinics and corporations – CCBC has jurisdiction over individual practitioners only
- Issuing orders and directives to individuals or businesses – only the provincial or federal government can take such actions
- Promoting the interests and objectives of professional associations and unions – such as providing professional development opportunities to its registrants, and advocating for increased compensating rates and/or employer human recourse issues
- Teaching courses – CCBC is not an educational institution.