On August 5, 2026, the proposed bylaw amendments to Part 7 – Certified Practice were posted for public consultation, with feedback invited until September 23, 2026.
Following the consultation period and consideration of the feedback received, the Board of the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC) approved bylaw amendments on September 24, 2026 to repeal section 7.23(b) of the College’s Bylaws, which provides for a certificate authorizing Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) licensees to perform tracheostomy management without speaking valve.
As a result, the following certifications for tracheostomy management without speaking valve have been repealed from the CHCPBC Bylaws, effective October 31, 2026:
- Certificate H(a): Communication & Swallowing Assessment & Management for Tracheostomy – Adults, no speaking valves
- Certificate H(b): Communication & Swallowing Assessment & Management for Tracheostomy – Paediatrics, no speaking valves
- Certificate H(c): Communication & Swallowing Assessment & Management for Tracheostomy – Adults & Paediatrics, no speaking valves
Please note: The Certified Practice for Tracheostomy Management with Speaking Valve remains in effect under section 7.23(a)(iii) of the College’s Bylaws and is currently under review. Licensees may continue their training and apply for tracheostomy management with speaking valve certification under the existing Assessment & Management of Voice & Swallowing for Tracheostomy (PDF) program. The College will communicate any changes and provide transition guidance once the updated requirements are finalized.
What does this mean for SLP licensees?
Following the repeal, SLP licensees may provide services related to tracheostomy management without speaking valve where those activities fall within their authorized scope of practice and they have the necessary competence to perform them safely. Activities that require certification under the Health and Care Professionals Regulation remain subject to the applicable certification requirements.
The College will contact affected licensees individually to provide further information about the impact on their existing certifications or trainings and any next steps.
Why was this activity decertified?
The repeal of section 7.23(b) aligns the College’s Bylaws with the Health and Care Professionals Regulation, which establishes the scope of practice and restricted activities for speech-language pathologists.
The activity of assessing and managing tracheostomy management without speaking valve was considered a certified practice under the Health Professions Act.
Under the new shared scope model of the Health Professions and Occupations Act, the Regulated Health Practitioners Regulation, and the Health and Care Professionals Regulation, tracheostomy management without speaking valve is not considered a restricted activity. This activity is also considered non-restricted for other health regulated professions.
CHCPBC decided to align its bylaws with the current legal framework and to prevent barriers to the public in receiving this service from speech-language pathologists, recognizing that tracheostomy management without speaking valve could be safely practised within speech-language pathology’s current scope of practice and when commensurate with individual licensees’ professional and clinical competence.
Under the Regulation, activities related to tracheostomy management without speaking valve may fall within the general scope of SLP practice. Separate certification is not required for activities within general scope that do not involve restricted activities requiring certification.
This amendment does not remove licensee accountability and responsibility for all services they provide in all clinical contexts and includes a requirement to prioritize client safety. Regardless of the presence or absence of certification requirements, health professionals must be competent in all areas of their practice, commensurate with their individual expertise and provision of services they provide. Licensees should refer to the Ethics and Practice Standards to ensure competent, safe, and ethical care for the public.
What are certified practices?
Certified practices are restricted activities that health professionals are permitted to carry once they have been certified by CHCPBC. Health professionals who obtain the authorization to perform a certified practice can carry out activities specified in their Regulation, if they meet CHCPBC certification program requirements.
For more information about certified practices, please review the Certified practices page.
For questions about these changes, please contact certification@chcpbc.org.
