To work as a nurse or midwife in B.C., you must hold practising licensure with BCCNM. Former licensees or individuals who have never been licensed, cannot use protected titles or cannot practise in clinical practice, education, administration or research.
If you practise nursing or midwifery without practising licensure, even accidentally, you are in breach of the Health Professions and Occupations Act and may be subject to prosecution under the Offense Act or to an application in Supreme Court for an injunction against you.
Know the risks
If you participate in unlicensed practice, you’re taking a risk that can impact you professionally and financially. Here’s what you need to know:
You’re not covered by professional liability protection
Only practising licensees are eligible for professional liability protection. If you practise without protection, you are opening yourself up to personal financial risk if there is a lawsuit stemming from your practice during that period.
Additional fees
If you forget to renew your license and work on or after the renewal period, you will pay additional fees and surcharges. Along with reinstating your licensure and paying your licensing fees, you’ll have to pay:
- $265+GST reinstatement application fee
- $375+GST reinstatement surcharge (unlicensed practice)
For more information about fees, visit the Fees section and look at "other fees."
Committee review
Applicants who practise without licensure may be referred to the License Committee for review. While under review, applicants are not eligible to practice until they have satisfied the committee that all requirements to reinstate licensure have been met.