Renewing a corporation permit
Corporation permit must be renewed each year
Renewal ensures that a corporation continues to meet all requirements under the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), the Regulations, and CPSBC Bylaws.
Permit term
The permit is valid for one fiscal year.
A corporation permit expires on the last day of February each year, unless it becomes invalid earlier under section 7-14 of CPSBC Bylaws.
To maintain a valid permit, a corporation must complete all annual renewal requirements before March 1, including submitting the required renewal documents and paying the annual permit fee.
Annual renewal notice
CPSBC will notify the corporation of the renewal process and the consequences of failing to renew no later than February 1 each year.
When the corporation permit expires
Validity of permit and authority to provide health services
A corporation permit expires on the last day of February each year. Once the permit expires, the corporation cannot operate as a business providing health services through an eligible licensee until a renewed or reinstated permit is issued.
CPSBC Bylaws allow an administrative grace period ending May 1 for late renewal. However, this grace period does not extend or preserve the validity of the expired permit.
During this period, the corporation cannot provide health services through the eligible licensee unless and until the renewed or reinstated permit is issued.
How to renew the permit
Renewal requirements
To renew its permit, the corporation must complete the renewal requirements before March 1, including:
- submitting a completed renewal application in the specified form
- attesting to compliance and confirming that the corporation
- continues to comply with the HPOA, the Regulations and CPSBC Bylaws, and any limits, conditions or terms imposed on its permit
- is in good standing under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)
- disclosing any changes made to the corporation in the previous year
- paying the annual permit fee and any outstanding amounts owed to CPSBC by the corporation or its eligible licensees
- providing additional information or records CPSBC directs the corporation to provide
Primary contact responsibilities
CPSBC designates one eligible licensee (voting shareholder) as the primary contact for each corporation. The primary contact receives all renewal notices and correspondence on behalf of the corporation and ensures renewal requirements are completed and submitted.
If the corporation has more than one voting shareholder, the primary contact ensures all required information about changes to the corporation is complete and accurate before completing the renewal.
Primary contact renews through the ALRF
All CPSBC licensees complete the Annual Licence Renewal Form (ALRF) each year. The primary contact renews the corporation through their ALRF, including the renewal application, attestation of compliance, and disclosure of changes required under section 7-13 of CPSBC Bylaws.
Fees
The annual permit fee applies for the current fiscal year (for example, March 1 of the current year to last day of February the following year).
The fee can be paid by credit card or debit card.
Annual permit fee: C$135 per corporation
Late renewal penalty fee: C$100 per corporation
Late renewal
Late renewal (before May 1)
If the renewal requirements are not completed by March 1, the corporation may still renew its permit by:
- completing all renewal requirements on or before May 1, and
- paying the late renewal fee, in addition to the annual permit fee.
After May 1: Reinstatement required
If the renewal requirements are not completed and fees are not paid on or before May 1, the corporation is ineligible to renew its permit.
To continue operating, the corporation must apply for reinstatement of its permit.
Reinstatement process
A reinstatement is treated as an application for a new permit and requires:
- payment of all applicable fees (annual permit fee, late renewal penalty fee, reinstatement fee)
- submission of the reinstatement application and required documentation
- meeting all eligibility requirements for a permit
For further guidance on the requirements and process, refer to the Apply for a Health Profession Corporation Permit section.