A 3% adjustment to deliver BCIA’s strategic plan and safeguard long-term stability under the PGA.
The Board has approved an approx. 3% adjustment to registrant fees for the 2026 fiscal year. This modest change supports BCIA’s statutory duty under the Professional Governance Act (PGA) to protect the public through reliable, proportionate regulation and enables steady progress on our strategic plan. It also reinforces BCIA’s financial resilience in a climate where several professional regulators have faced financial risk resulting in fee increases ranging from 10% to 40% [1]. Our objective is straightforward: maintain reliable, high-quality regulation today while ensuring the organization remains strong and sustainable for the long term.
Why this adjustment now
The Board considered a number of fee scenarios, prior year fee increases, economic realities and peer scans. Following careful consideration the Board determined a proportionate increase is necessary to:
- sustain and improve core regulatory capacity amid persistent cost pressures;
- fund priority initiatives in the strategic plan (advancing Truth & Reconciliation, enhancing regulatory processes, ensuring secure & stable IT infrastructure, etc); and
- uphold prudent reserves that reduce the risk of structural deficits and being prepared for large, one-time costs such as a costly discipline hearing
How this supports the strategic plan
Annual fees are the engine for measured, values-based progress across BCIA’s priorities:
- Operational stability & regulatory excellence: complaints and investigations, practice reviews, standards and guidance.
- Indigenous reconciliation & capacity building: respectful engagement, training, and concrete actions aligned with our values.
- Continuing competency: evidence-based learning expectations and supports that strengthen competent, ethical practice.
- Digital service & turnaround times: secure platforms, registrant tools, and streamlined processes.
- Partners & public engagement: clear information for the public and effective collaboration with institutions, industry, and government.
Stewardship, risk management & solvency
BCIA continues to emphasize value for money and financial stability through:
- strategic and targeted cost controls;
- process improvements and digitization;
- reserve policies designed to weather volatility and avoid insolvency risk;
- transparent reporting to the Board and registrants.
What will not change: our commitment to fair, timely, and consistent decisions; transparent processes; and respectful service.
What will improve: incremental upgrades to the registrant portal/forms, clearer guidance materials, and continued attention to turnaround times in high-volume areas.
Closing
Thank you for your continued commitment to competent, ethical practice in the public interest. This measured adjustment helps BCIA deliver on its strategic plan and maintain the financial stability required for dependable regulation—now and in the years ahead.
At-a-Glance: 2026 Fees and other Information
- Current and new (2026) annual renewal fees: click HERE
- Renewal window: mid-November (or earlier) to January 15, 2026
- Invoices/Receipts/tax info: Available in the portal; seek independent tax advice as needed.
- Fee Increase FAQs: click HERE
Where does a registrant dollar go?
This chart shows how a registrant dollar is allocated across BCIA’s core regulatory functions and enabling services, based on the current budget. Percentages are estimates and may vary year to year.
- Staffing: Allocated across functions in proportion to where team members spend their time.
- Professional Development (PD): Includes registrant learning supports; branch funding is included here.
- Financial: Audit, accounting, merchant, and banking fees.
- General Operations: Office operations (Langford) and related overhead.
- Financial fees include audit, accounting, merchant, and banking costs.
- Communications & IT infrastructure covers the registrant portal, cybersecurity, software, website, and other outreach activities.
Totals may not equal 100% due to rounding.
[1] College of Veterinarians of BC approved a 38% fee increase. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-veterinarians-insolvency-possible-2026-1.7615147
College of Health and Care Professionals of BC: https://chcpbc.org/2025/02/13/questions-and-answers-about-chcpbc-fees/
College of Complimentary Care Professionals of BC: https://cchpbc.ca/cchpbc-announcements/the-college-of-complementary-health-professionals-is-updating-its-fee-structure-in-the-2025-2026-fiscal-year/