Engagement for Health Care Assistant designation assessment now open
Designation assessments are a tool used to provide evidence-based recommendations to the Minister of Health on whether regulation of a type of health practitioner is in the public interest and appropriate under the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA). In B.C., there are currently 25 designated health professions overseen by health professional regulatory colleges under the HPOA. Currently, there are no designated health occupations.
The Health Professions and Occupations Regulatory Oversight Office (the Oversight Office) is responsible for conducting designation assessments. These assessments involve reviewing risk of harm to the public, and whether it is in the public interest to regulate.
When a new health profession or occupation becomes designated, they become regulated and overseen by a health professional regulatory college or a health occupation director. The college or director governs, within their role, in the public interest.
Policies for designation assessments
The Oversight Office follows specific processes and policies for conducting designation assessments.
Read the designation assessment policies
Current Designation Assessment: Health Care Assistants
The Oversight Office has initiated a designation assessment of Health Care Assistants (HCAs) in B.C. to assess whether they should be regulated under provincial health law and make recommendations to the Minister of Health.
For more information about who HCAs are and why we have started a designation assessment, please see our:
How to participate:
Survey
Our public survey provides a structured way to answer questions about HCAs, public safety, and matters relating to oversight and potential regulation. It is open to anyone based in British Columbia and is accessible to a broad range of participants.
The survey is open from September 21, 2026 to November 20, 2026.
Submission
Those who wish to provide more detailed information, research, evidence, or share organizational perspectives are invited to make a written submission. Those located outside of B.C. may also write to us. Please make submissions to engage@hporoo.ca.
Why your input matters:
The purpose of the assessment is to gather information, evaluate potential risks and benefits, consult with affected communities, and make independent recommendations to the Minister of Health.
Health Care Assistants provide important services to people throughout British Columbia in a wide range of health care and community settings. Your experience and perspectives will help inform the assessment and support the Oversight Office in making evidence-informed recommendations to the Minister of Health.