Membership

On this page:

If You Are An Osteopathic Practitioner Or Student, We Invite You To Join OsteopathyBC.

We are a not-for-profit, voluntary, professional association for qualified Osteopathic Practitioners. Since becoming registered with the BC government as a not-for-profit society in 2005, OsteopathyBC has been representing Osteopathic Practitioners with high standards of practice and professionalism. We advocate for our members and for the protection of the public.

As a professional association, we actively work to build relationships with the following groups of stakeholders:

  1. Our members: We are committed to maintaining high standards of practice amongst all our members in order to better serve their individual practices and businesses.
  2. Residents of BC: Our members deliver the best possible osteopathic care to the citizens of BC. Our association works to increase awareness of how Osteopathy can assist the public in living healthier, pain-free lives and to make osteopathy accessible to all.
  3. Government and Policy Makers: We are working toward becoming a regulated health profession in BC.
  4. Insurance Providers: Many patients have health care benefits with an insurance provider. We are recognized by most of the leading insurance providers in BC and Canada, many of whom offer our members direct billing.
  5. Osteopathic Organizations, nationally and internationally: Osteopathy is a growing practice around the world. We work together with other osteopathic associations in order to better serve our members and the public. such as the Canadian Federation of Osteopaths and the Osteopathic International Alliance in order to better serve our members and the public.
  6. Other Healthcare Professionals: We collaborate with other healthcare professionals and associations.

Back to the top

Why Be A Member of OsteopathyBC?

  • Protect your interests by supporting your professional association. OsteopathyBC advocates for Osteopathic Practitioners and for the profession.
  • Participate in the development of the Osteopathic profession in BC by volunteering on the OBC board or committees. Full members are eligible to vote at general meetings and to run for office.
  • Stay in touch with important issues, in osteopathy and within your community, through regular OBC newsletters, eblasts and social media postings.
  • Get exposure through our online directory and listing of Osteopathic Practitioners in BC.
  • Save money by receiving marketing and promotional materials to help your practice.
  • Gain public awareness through our advertising brochures and social media posts that you can share, give as online content, and offer to your patients and others.
  • Advance your career through our Continuing Professional Development courses and webinars offered at reduced prices for members.
  • Expand your relationship with Insurance Providers.
  • Be part of an osteopathic community.

Go here for a list of member benefits

Back to the top

OsteopathyBC Offers Four Membership Categories:

  1. Full Members

Full Membership is for one year, renewed annually, and includes the following benefits:

  • access to extended health benefits;
  • access to discounted liability insurance;
  • access to discounted First Aid and Cardiopulmonary training;
  • access to other discounted services offered by OBC partners as posted on the OBC website;
  • a complementary electronic subscription to the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine; and
  • newsletters and other Osteopathic practice resources.

Full Members are also entitled to participate in the general meetings of OBC, to vote at all meetings, and to serve on the Board of Directors or on committees.

  1. Temporary Members

Temporary Membership is available for 6 months or 12 months, and includes the following benefits:

  • access to extended health benefits;
  • access to discounted liability insurance;
  • access to discounted First Aid and Cardiopulmonary training; and
  • access to other discounted services offered by OBC partners as posted on the OBC website.
  • newsletters and other Osteopathic practice resources.

Temporary Members may convert to a Full Membership after the expiry of their Temporary Membership. Temporary Members may attend the general meetings of OBC and participate in general discussions, but are not entitled to vote or serve on the Board of Directors. Temporary Members may also serve on committees.

  1. Student Members

Students attending a recognized school of Osteopathy with a program which will qualify them for membership in OBC upon graduation may apply for a Student Membership. To be eligible for a Student Membership, students must be in their final year of academic training or writing their thesis or final project (e.g. 4th and/or 5th year students). 

Student Members receive the following benefits:

  • access to discounted services offered by OBC partners as posted on the OBC website;
  • a complementary electronic subscription to the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine; and
  • newsletters and other Osteopathic practice resources.

Student members may attend general meetings of OBC and participate in discussions, but may not vote or serve on the Board of Directors. 

  1. Inactive Members

OBC offers Full Members the opportunity to maintain their connection to OBC through an Inactive Membership if they take time off from practicing Osteopathy. Inactive membership starts on either April 1st or October 1steach year. To qualify, practitioners must not practice Osteopathy in British Columbia for a minimum period of six months but not more than two years. During that period, Inactive Members are entitled to the same benefits as a Full Member. Inactive Members may attend general meetings of OBC and participate in discussions, but they may not vote or serve on the Board of Directors. 

Back to the top

Requirements to Apply for Full or Temporary (6-12 months) Membership in OBC

To apply for Full or Temporary membership in OsteopathyBC, in addition to your completed Membership Application, you will need to submit the following:

  1. Government-issued Photo ID
  2. Proof of Graduation from:
    • A full time Osteopathic Education program of at least 4 years from an acceptable Canadian school or recognized international school; OR
    • A part-time program of at least 4 years from an acceptable school plus proof of prior health care qualification. Health care qualifications include Medicine, Midwifery, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Chiropractic Medicine, Registered Massage Therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncture, or other university health science degree.

The following are acceptable Canadian schools which meet OBC criteria for full or part-time Osteopathic education:

  • Canadian School of Osteopathy Manual Practice, Vancouver

  • Canadian College of Osteopathy, Winnipeg

  • Canadian College of Osteopathy, Toronto

  • Canadian Academy of Osteopathy, Hamilton

  • Collège d'Études Ostéopathiques, Halifax

  • Collège d'Études Ostéopathiques, Quebec

  • Collège d'Études Ostéopathiques, Montreal

  • Centre Ostéopathique du Québec, Montreal

  • Sheridan College (Bachelor of Osteopathy)

  • Ontario Academy of Progressive Osteopathy

You will also be eligible to apply if you have trained internationally at a school in the UK, Australia, New Zealand or another country, as long as it is recognized by the national osteopathic association of that country.

Please note OBC does not accept applicants from online Osteopathic Schools or the following:

  • NAO (National Academy of Osteopathy)

  • NUMSS (National University of Medical Sciences)

  • MOCC (Manual Osteopathic College of Canada)

  • NMOC (National Manual Osteopathic College)

  • EPOQ (École professionnelle des ostéopathes du Québec)

  • Academy of Osteopathy of Montreal

  1. Proof of professional liability insurance for the practice of osteopathy in Canada in the amount of at least $2 million.
  2. Current certificates of Standard First Aid level C and CPR or equivalent certification satisfactory to the Board of Directors of OsteopathyBC.
  3. Valid Criminal Record Check for the province of British Columbia and any other country where you have resided in the last 5 years that includes a check for children and vulnerable adults.
  4. If are not a Canadian citizen, you must have a valid visa to work in Canada. Please review the requirements for obtaining a work permit. OBC is not responsible for checking or confirming an applicant’s work status in Canada as part of the membership approval process.

All applicants must also agree to abide by the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of OsteopathyBC. As a member, you must complete 50 hours of Continuing Professional Development every 2 years.

All applicants must also understand that “Osteopath” is a reserved title in British Columbia for American-trained Osteopathic Physicians who are members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC. Although you may have used the title Osteopath in another province or country, you cannot use it in BC. Once you become a member of OsteopathyBC, you can only use the title “Osteopathic Practitioner”.

Back to the top

Membership Acceptance and Fees

Full, Temporary and Student membership applications are subject to acceptance by the Board of Directors. Successful applicants will be notified and once you are accepted as a member, you must pay the annual membership fee. The fee for Full Members is $1,000 annually, for Temporary Members it is $1,100 annually (prorated for six months), and Student Member fees are $75 annually.  For Full Members accepted part way through the membership year (April 1st to March 31st following year) this fee will be prorated.

Applicants are charged a non-refundable application fee of $150.00. Your application fee will be deducted from your membership fee. Student membership applicants do not pay an application fee.

The OBC membership year is from April 1st to March 31st.  If you are applying as a Student Member to become a Full Member within the same membership year, your student membership cost will be deducted from your full member fees and the non-refundable $150.00 application fee will be waived. However, if your membership start date falls on or after April 1st the following fiscal year, your Student Membership has ended and you are not eligible for a deduction on the annual membership fee and the $150.00 application fee will apply. In the latter case, proceed with the Full Membership option.

Click to see a listing of all OsteopathyBC members.

Back to the top

Apply Now

Applicants for Membership must first go through a pre-application process to establish eligibility to apply. If eligible, the applicant will be notified to proceed with the application. Submitted applications can take 3 - 6 weeks to process once all the required documents are received and the non-refundable administration fee of $50 is paid. Student membership applicants do not pay an administration fee.

Full, Temporary and Student membership applications are subject to acceptance by the Board of Directors. Successful applicants will be notified and directed to payment of membership dues.

Full Member: If you are interested in applying to be a full member, please complete the OsteopathyBC full member pre-application.

Temporary Member: If you are interested in applying to be a temporary member, please complete the OsteopathyBC temporary member pre-application.

Inactive Member: If you are interested in applying to be a inactive member of OsteopathyBC please email us.

Student Member: If you are interested in applying to be a student member of OsteopathyBC, please email us.

Note: The next submission deadline for completed applications is Monday, February 11, 2025 for a February start.

Back to the top