Definitions

1   In this regulation:

"chiropractic" means the health profession in which a person provides the types of health services referred to in section 7 [scope of practice for chiropractic];

"chiropractor" means a licensee who is authorized to practise chiropractic;

"massage therapist" means a licensee who is authorized to practise massage therapy;

"massage therapy" means the health profession in which a person provides the types of health services referred to in section 13 [scope of practice for massage therapy];

"naturopath" means a licensee who is authorized to practise naturopathic medicine;

"naturopathic medicine" means the health profession in which a person provides the types of health services referred to in section 16 [scope of practice for naturopathic medicine];

"traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture" means the health profession in which a person provides the types of health services referred to in section 26 [scope of practice for traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture];

"traditional Chinese medicine practitioner" means a licensee who is authorized to practise traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

Designation of health professions

2   Each of the following continues to be designated as a designated health profession for the purposes of the Act:

(a) chiropractic;

(b) massage therapy;

(c) naturopathic medicine;

(d) traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

Regulator

3   The College of Complementary Health Professionals of British Columbia is the regulator responsible for governing the designated health professions referred to in section 2.

Health profession corporations

4   A corporation that does not hold a health profession corporation permit must not carry on the business of providing health services to the public, if the health services are provided by licensees who practise any of the following designated health professions:

(a) chiropractic;

(b) massage therapy;

(c) naturopathic medicine.

Use of "doctor"

5   (1) Despite anything to the contrary in this regulation, the title "doctor" may be used by a person who is entitled to use an academic or educational designation that consists of or includes that title.

(2) If any of the following circumstances apply, a licensee who is authorized under this regulation to use the title "doctor" must, in using the title, indicate clearly that the licensee is not a medical practitioner or is not authorized to practise medicine:

(a) the licensee is engaged in the practice of the licensee's designated health profession;

(b) without limiting paragraph (a), the licensee is interacting with a person in carrying out business, professional or other activities related to the practice of a designated health profession;

(c) the licensee is providing information to the public with respect to

(i) the practice of a designated health profession, or

(ii) a matter in relation to health.

(3) For certainty, a person described in subsection (1) who is also a licensee is subject to subsection (2).

(4) A board may make bylaws respecting the use of the title "doctor" for the purposes of subsection (2), including imposing prohibitions, requirements, limits and conditions that are additional to those set under that subsection.

Exclusive titles

6   Except as permitted under the Act, only a chiropractor may use the titles "chiropractor" and "doctor".

Scope of practice for chiropractic

7   (1) The following types of health services, provided primarily for the purposes set out in subsection (2), constitute the scope of practice for chiropractic:

(a) assessing the physical health status of patients for the purpose of providing the health services referred to in paragraph (b);

(b) preventing, treating and managing diseases, disorders and conditions of the neuromusculoskeletal system by manipulating or adjusting the spine and joints

(i) by manual methods, or

(ii) by using devices directly related to the manipulation or adjustment;

(c) advising on

(i) the health and care of the spine, joints and tissue associated with the spine or joints, and

(ii) the effect on the neuromusculoskeletal system of the matters referred to in subparagraph (i).

(2) The primary purposes for providing health services in the practice of chiropractic are the following, as they relate to the neuromusculoskeletal system:

(a) to promote, maintain and restore physical health as it relates to the diseases, disorders and conditions of that system;

(b) to rehabilitate and improve physical function;

(c) to relieve pain.

List of full restricted activities

8   A chiropractor may perform the restricted activities described in the following items of the Restricted Activities Table:

(a) item 10 [spinal joints];

(b) items 42 and 45 [authorizations to apply electromagnetism and X-rays].

List of limited restricted activities

9   A chiropractor may perform the restricted activities described in the following items of the Restricted Activities Table, but only as provided for in this Division:

(a) item 1 [diagnoses];

(b) items 18 and 23 [insertions];

(c) item 36 [X-rays].

Diagnoses

10   A chiropractor may diagnose a disease, disorder or condition that the chiropractor is authorized under section 7 (1) (b) [scope of practice for chiropractic] to prevent, treat and manage.

Other limited restricted activities

11   (1) A chiropractor may insert an instrument, device or finger into the external ear canal for the purpose of assessing the ear and auditory systems.

(2) A chiropractor may insert a finger beyond the anal verge for the purpose of manipulating the coccyx.

(3) A chiropractor may apply X-rays for diagnostic or imaging purposes, except for the purpose of a computed tomography scan.

Exclusive titles

12   Except as permitted under the Act, only a massage therapist may use the titles "massage therapist" and "massage practitioner".

Scope of practice for massage therapy

13   (1) The following types of health services, provided primarily for the purposes set out in subsection (2), constitute the scope of practice for massage therapy:

(a) assessing the physical health status of patients for the purpose of providing the health services referred to in paragraph (b);

(b) preventing, treating and managing disorders and conditions of joints and soft tissue by manual methods, including manipulating and mobilizing the joints and soft tissue;

(c) advising on the health and care of the joints and soft tissue.

(2) The primary purposes for providing health services in the practice of massage therapy are the following, as they relate to the joints and soft tissue:

(a) to promote, maintain and restore physical health;

(b) to rehabilitate and improve physical function;

(c) to relieve pain.

Limits and conditions

14   A massage therapist must not treat a recent fracture of a bone.

Exclusive titles

15   Except as permitted under the Act, only a naturopath may use the titles "naturopath", "naturopathic physician", "naturopathic doctor" and "doctor".

Scope of practice for naturopathic medicine

16   (1) The following types of health services, provided primarily for the purposes set out in subsection (2), constitute the scope of practice for naturopathic medicine:

(a) assessing the health status of patients for the purpose of providing the health services referred to in paragraph (b);

(b) preventing, treating and managing physical and mental diseases, disorders and conditions with a focus on naturopathic techniques, therapies and therapeutics;

(c) advising on physical and mental health.

(2) The primary purposes for providing health services in the practice of naturopathic medicine are the following:

(a) to promote, maintain and restore physical and mental health;

(b) to stimulate and support healing processes;

(c) to relieve pain.

Limits and conditions

17   (1) A naturopath who performs surgery in the course of providing health services may perform minor surgery only.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), "minor surgery" means a surgical procedure that

(a) is performed on a superficial anatomical structure,

(b) is performed for a diagnostic or therapeutic purpose,

(c) does not involve sedation, general anaesthesia or respiratory assistance, and

(d) does not present a material risk to life.

Practice standards

18   The board must make bylaws establishing or adopting practice standards respecting the performance, by naturopaths, of the restricted activities described in the following items of the Restricted Activities Table:

(a) items 46 to 49 [drugs];

(b) items 65 and 66 [allergy testing and treatment].

List of full restricted activities

19   A naturopath may perform the restricted activities described in the following items of the Restricted Activities Table:

(a) items 2 and 3 [procedures on tissue];

(b) item 6 [venipuncture];

(c) item 10 [spinal joints];

(d) items 11, 12 and 14 to 16 [substances];

(e) item 25 [inserting pressurized substances];

(f) item 28 [ultrasounds];

(g) items 50 to 52 [therapeutic diets];

(h) items 65 and 66 [allergy testing and treatment].

List of limited restricted activities

20   A naturopath may perform the restricted activities described in the following items of the Restricted Activities Table, but only as provided for in this Division:

(a) item 1 [diagnoses];

(b) items 18, 19 and 21 to 24 [insertions];

(c) item 30 [electricity];

(d) item 36 [X-rays];

(e) items 37 and 45 [authorizations for ultrasounds and X-rays];

(f) items 46 to 49 [drugs].

Diagnoses

21   A naturopath may diagnose a disease, disorder or condition that the naturopath is authorized under section 16 (1) (b) [scope of practice for naturopathic medicine] to prevent, treat and manage.

Other limited restricted activities

22   (1) A naturopath may insert an instrument, device or finger into any area listed in items 18, 19 or 21 to 24 of the Restricted Activities Table.

(2) A naturopath may apply electricity for the purpose of destroying tissue only in the course of performing minor surgery within the meaning of section 17 (2) [limits and conditions].

(3) A naturopath may apply X-rays for diagnostic or imaging purposes, except for the purpose of a computed tomography scan.

Restricted activities if certified

23   A certified naturopath may prescribe, compound, dispense or administer the following:

(a) a Schedule I drug that is not listed in the Appendix;

(b) a Schedule II drug.

Acupuncture defined

24   In this Part, "acupuncture" means the health service of stimulating specific sites on the skin, mucous membranes or subcutaneous tissues by means of needles, lasers, magnetic therapy, acupressure, thermal stimulation or suctioning.

Exclusive titles

25   Except as permitted under the Act, only a licensee who is authorized under the bylaws to do so may use the titles "traditional Chinese medicine practitioner", "doctor of traditional Chinese medicine", "doctor", "acupuncturist" and "traditional Chinese medicine herbalist".

Scope of practice for traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture

26   (1) The following types of health services, provided primarily for the purposes set out in subsection (2) and based on traditional Chinese medicine theories and principles, constitute the scope of practice for traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture:

(a) assessing the health status of patients for the purpose of providing the health services referred to in paragraph (b);

(b) preventing, treating and managing physical and mental diseases, disorders and conditions by using one or more of the following techniques, therapies and therapeutics:

(i) acupuncture;

(ii) traditional Chinese herbs, formulae or food cure recipes;

(iii) manipulative therapy;

(iv) Chinese energy regulation therapy, Chinese shadow boxing or other types of energetic exercise therapies;

(c) advising on physical and mental health.

(2) The primary purposes for providing health services in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture are the following:

(a) to promote, maintain and restore physical and mental health;

(b) to relieve pain.

List of limited restricted activities

27   A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner may perform the restricted activities described in the following items of the Restricted Activities Table, but only as provided for in this Division:

(a) item 1 [diagnoses];

(b) items 2 and 3 [procedures on tissue].

Diagnoses

28   A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner may diagnose a disease, disorder or condition that the traditional Chinese medicine practitioner is authorized under section 26 (1) (b) [scope of practice for traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture] to prevent, treat and manage.

Acupuncture

29   A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner who is authorized under the bylaws to perform acupuncture may, for that purpose, perform a procedure on tissue below the dermis or the surface of a mucous membrane.