Inter-provincial registration
Registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) is required in order for an individual to practice midwifery in British Columbia.
Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
In accordance with Chapter 7 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) formerly known as Canada’s Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), BCCNM will register midwives who hold what is determined to be the equivalent to practising midwife registration in another Canadian jurisdiction. This registration must be maintained throughout the application process until an applicant is registered with BCCNM. If the applicant’s registration is changed to another class prior to being granted registration in B.C., their application will need to be re-assessed as a graduate from a recognized program.
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Practising Midwife registration: Midwives who hold this class of registration (or equivalent) are permitted to practice in the full scope of midwifery care in B.C. If you have been a practising registrant for less than one year in the jurisdiction of origin, you may be subject to BCCNM’s
Policy on New Registrant Requirements.
Application and process
Instructions on how a Canadian applicant can seek midwife registration are provided below. BCCNM recommends submitting applications for registration a minimum of 4-6 weeks in advance of your anticipated registration date. If you believe your application may be considered
complex, you may wish to submit your application earlier.
- 1. Prepare your documents
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To avoid delays in processing your application, prepare the following documents before you start your application:
- Proof of registration from jurisdiction of origin
- A letter of standing and professional conduct/verification of registration from any regulator with which you have held or currently hold registration. This must be received by BCCNM directly from the regulator.
- Notarized copies of
two pieces of identification
- Proof of valid certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Proof of valid certification in emergency skills workshop (ES)
- Proof of valid completion of a Fetal Health Surveillance (FHS) course
- Proof of valid completion of a Canadian neonatal resuscitation (NRP) course
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Name and address of practice in B.C., or, if applicable, a signed
New Registrant Mentorship Agreement listing the name of an established practice and the practising midwives where you intend to address the new registrant requirements
- 2. Apply to BCCNM
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Submit the form and all required supporting documentation to BCCNM Registration Services by:
- 3. Pay fees
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Pay the application fee of $265+GST. Instruction for online payment will be provided once your application is received.
- 4. Professional references
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Arrange for three professional references to be sent directly to BCCNM using the
Reference form.
- 5. Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives course
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Complete the
Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives Course if you have not already done so during your midwifery education. Submit your course completion certificate to BCCNM.
- 6. Criminal record check
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Consent to a criminal record check. Instructions on how to request and consent to a criminal record check in Canada and/or other applicable jurisdictions will be provided once application is reviewed.
- 7. Pay registration fees
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Pay your registration fee. Instructions on online payment by credit card and the amount required will be provided once application is approved.
- 8. Professional liability insurance
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Obtain professional liability insurance from the
Midwives Association of BC.
- 9. Wait for confirmation of registration from BCCNM
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Once you have paid your registration fees, we will send you an email confirming that you have been granted registration. You must not practise as a midwife until you receive confirmation of registration.
Haven't received a confirmation email?
Registration will not be granted until your payment has been received and liability insurance has been confirmed. Before calling to check on the status of your application, please:
- Double-check that you submitted your application and that your payment went through
- Check your junk mail and spam folders
- 10. Once registered: hospital privileges and MSP
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