Speech and Hearing Health ProfessionsThe College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia is the regulatory body established for the health professions of audiology, speech-language pathology and hearing instrument dispensing.
Prior to April 1, 2010, audiology and speech-language pathology were unregulated in British Columbia, and hearing aid dispensing was regulated by the Board of Hearing Aid Dealers and Consultants under the former Hearing Aid Act. In January 2001, the former Health Professions Council recommended that audiology and speech-language pathology be designated under the Health Professions Act. The Council also issued a report on hearing aid dispensing at the same time. Repeal of the Hearing Aid Act was provided for in the Health Planning Statutes Amendment Act, 2002. As required by the Health Professions Act, the Ministry gave initial notice of the proposed Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation on May 3, 2007. Notice of a revised draft of the proposed Regulation was given by the Ministry on July 4, 2007. The Ministry gave notice of the final draft of the proposed Regulation on October 24, 2008. On December 11, 2008, the government announced that, effective December 15, 2008, the professions of audiology, speech-language pathology and hearing instrument dispensing were designated under the Health Professions Act, and the new College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia was established. It was also announced that the Hearing Aid Act would be repealed, effective April 1, 2010. The Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation was enacted at the same time, but with some provisions not in force until April 1, 2010. On December 11, 2008, the Minister appointed the first board of the new College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals, and ordered that the first election of professional members to the board must be held by October 1, 2010 (MO 306/2008). On October 16, 2009, the College gave notice of proposed bylaws under the Health Professions Act. The bylaws came into force on January 1, 2010, and the College began accepting applications for registration. The College assumed full responsibility for regulating all three professions on April 1, 2010. The Board of Hearing Aid Dealers and Consultants was dissolved and ceased operations as of that date. On April 1, 2010, the government announced completion of the transition. The first election of professional members to the board was completed on August 30, 2010. Amendments to the Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation and to most College bylaws are subject to a three-month notice period, unless the Minister specifies a shorter period. The College is responsible for giving notice of proposed bylaw amendments, including posting them on the College website, and all bylaw amendments must be filed with the Minister to be effective. Filed bylaws come into force 60 days after the date of filing, unless the Minister either disallows the change or specifies an earlier date, or the College withdraws the change. The full text of the current bylaws and information about any proposed bylaw amendments may be obtained by contacting the College. Comments on proposed bylaw amendments should be submitted to both the College and the Ministry.
Official copies of the Health Professions Act and the Speech and Hearing Health Professionals Regulation may be obtained by contacting Crown Publications at:
Copies of approved Orders in Council and Ministerial Orders may be obtained by contacting the Order in Council Office at: PO Box 9226 STN PROV GOVT |
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