Health Regulation and You
The role of regulatory bodies is to protect the public through the regulation of their registrants. This is done by:
- determining registration requirements
- setting standards of practice
- adherence to a code of ethics for their registrants
- recognizing education programs
- maintaining a register
- addressing and investigating complaints about their registrants
As a patient in the health care system, you should be aware that all health care professionals that are regulated:
- Meet mandatory licensing and registration standards (including education requirements)
- Have passed standardized national/provincial qualifying exams (where applicable);
- Follow practice, conduct, and ethical standards as determined by their college
- Renew their license to practice on a yearly basis
- Participate in mandatory continuing competence programs that are determined by their college.
- Are held accountable by their respective college.