Osteopathic

Osteopathic

The osteopathic licence permits a osteopathic physician to practise in the field of musculoskeletal medicine. These licensees deal primarily in the musculoskeletal system and associated conditions inclusive of the use of manual therapy, and must not practise obstetrics or surgery.

Requirements

To be eligible for the osteopathic licence, an applicant must:

  • be a graduate of a school or college of osteopathic medicine accredited by the American Osteopathic Association, acceptable to the Licence Committee
  • have successfully completed
    • postgraduate training and certification in a program accredited by the American Osteopathic Association, acceptable to the Licence Committee, and
    • the three-part Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examinations administered by the United States National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners
  • meet CPSBC's English language proficiency requirements
  • have Canadian citizenship, be a permanent resident or be legally able to live and work in BC

How to apply

Application timelines

Licensure is a multi-step process that takes an average of six to eight weeks.

CPSBC addresses applications based on the order they are received and the intended start date.

Applicants who meet the requirements for the osteopathic licence must complete an Application for Medical Registration (AMR) through physiciansapply.ca.

Application timing is based on the applicant’s residency or work status:

Residency or work status

When to apply

Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, valid work permit

Apply no more than three months before intended start date

No work permit, residency or citizenship

Apply no more than six months before intended start date

Apply through physiciansapply.ca

AMR and eligibility review

The AMR (mentioned in step 1) is downloaded directly to CPSBC’s database on the next business day. CPSBC emails the applicant to acknowledge receipt of their application and may request a CV.

CPSBC reviews the AMR to confirm that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements.

Secondary application package

If the applicant meets the eligibility requirements, CPSBC assigns the applicant a file manager no more than three months in advance to the applicant's start date.

The file manager will email the secondary application package to the applicant.

The applicant must submit to CPSBC the completed secondary application along with required documentation.

This step can take up to six weeks. The file manager will review the completed application to ensure that no additional follow-up is required. Processing time is dependent on the submission of required documentation to CPSBC.

Common causes of delay in this step are:

  • receipt of work permit – CPSBC cannot issue a licence before the applicant provides proof of legal ability to work in British Columbia
  • certificates of professional conduct
  • an identified fit to practice or ethical practice issue

If no additional follow-up is required, the file manager will submit the applicant file for a final review and approval. The review process can take up to one week after all required documentation is received.

Once the application is reviewed and approved, the applicant will be directed to pay licence fees. Following the payment of fees, a licence will be issued within three business days.

Maintaining the licence

Ongoing licensure in the osteopathic class is maintained by

  • satisfactory completion of the annual licence renewal form,
  • online payment of the annual licence renewal fee as detailed in schedule B of the CPSBC Bylaws,
  • payment of any other outstanding fine, fee, penalty fee, debt, levy or costs owed to CPSBC,
  • ongoing compliance with continuing competency requirements,
  • ongoing professional liability coverage or protection,
  • provision of certificates of professional conduct, where applicable.

For more information about the licence requirements, refer to: