The Law Society of BC regulates the legal profession in BC, protecting the public interest in the administration of justice by setting and enforcing standards of professional conduct for lawyers.
Professionals
- Manages admissions and credentials for new lawyers
- Provides educational programs and oversees the required annual ongoing development program for lawyers
- Investigates and disciplines lawyers who have violated Law Society rules and the Code of Professional Conduct for B.C.
The Society of Notaries Public in BC sets standards for BC Notaries to follow. They handle complaints submitted by members of the public. The Society's discipline procedures are provided for in the Notaries Act.
The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia regulates the profession in the public interest by:
- Seeking to ensure that members provide services to a high standard thereby maintaining the integrity of the profession;
- Selecting, educating, and examining the suitable prospective applicants to become notaries;
- Establishing requirements for professional continuing development and identifying emerging trends that may require mandatory education;
- Establishing standards of knowledge, skills, and proficiency in all matters relating to the lawful practice of the profession of Notaries Public;
- Establishing and regulating ethical standards;
- Inquiring into complaints and concerns and when appropriate conducting discipline hearings; and
- Cooperating with other agencies, bodies, and regulators to advance legal services to members of the public.
The Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) is the training, governing, and regulatory body for CPA members and candidates.
- Establishes qualifications and requirements for admission
- Establishes and enforces professional standards for CPAs in B.C.
- Promotes and maintains the knowledge, skill, and proficiency of members and students
The Commissioner for Teacher Regulation is an independent statutory decision maker who is appointed for a five-year term under the Teachers Act.
It's the Commissioner's responsibility to oversee the discipline process for certified educators in B.C. The Commissioner reviews the conduct and competence of educators in B.C. and helps enforce the standards for educators.
The Commissioner reviews all complaints from the public and reports from teachers, schools and school districts about teacher conduct or competence, The Commissioner does not decide if a person is guilty. The Commissioner can
- Investigate
- Close a matter by not taking further action
- Offer a consent resolution agreement
- Order a hearing and appoint a hearing panel if the teacher declines the offer for a consent resolution agreement
The Commissioner cannot ask a teacher to apologize, fire a teacher, or change the teacher in your child’s classroom.
Under the Teachers Act, the BC Teachers' Council (BCTC) is responsible for:
- setting standards for applicants and educators in B.C., including education, competence and professional conduct requirements
- setting standards for post-secondary teacher education programs
- reviewing and approving post-secondary teacher education programs
Anyone can share input or request to present at a BCTC meeting: BCTC@gov.bc.ca
Under the Independent School Act, the Independent School Teaching Certificate Standards Committee (ISTCSC) is responsible for:
- Setting standards for applicants and educators in B.C., including education, competence, and professional conduct requirements
- Setting standards for receiving and maintaining an independent school teaching certificate (ISTC)
- Determining which standards apply for each type of ISTC
The ISTCSC is responsible for establishing and revising the standards for ISTC holders based on feedback from certificate holders, independent school communities, independent school sector partners, and the public
Regulates and governs engineers and geoscientists under the Professional Governance Act
- sets and maintains high academic, experience, and professional practice standards for over 40,000 registrants
- provides educational resources about the professions to members of the public
Only individuals and firms licensed by Engineers and Geoscientists BC are permitted by law to undertake and assume responsibility for engineering and geoscience projects in BC.
The Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) is an independent body with the mandate to regulate the profession of architecture in the interest of the public through a responsive framework. The AIBC was established in 1920 by provincial statute, and since 2023, has governed the profession under the authority of the Professional Governance Act.
- Regulates the profession of architecture within the province in the public interest
- Establishes and maintains stringent standards for those seeking entry into the profession
- Investigates complaints and concerns from members of the public about the competence or conduct of architects, associates or firms
The BC Institute of Agrologists, regulates the profession of agrology in British Columbia to protect the public by ensuring its safe, competent, and ethical practice.
- Responsible for registering and regulating British Columbia’s professional agrologists
- Sets and enforces codes of conduct and standards of practice for members
- Handles complaints from members of the public regarding professional misconduct, incompetent practices, or a breach of legislation
FPBC is responsible for registering and regulating B.C.’s professional foresters and forest technologists.
- Administers the Foresters Act and sets and enforces codes of conduct and standards of practice for members
- The complaints resolution committee handles complaints and selects appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve a complaint