Membership

We are a not-for-profit, voluntary, professional association for qualified Osteopathic Practitioners. We represent the interests of osteopathic practitioners, osteopathy as a profession, and the consumers’ rights to access osteopathic services.

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 on how Osteopathy can assist the general public in living healthier, pain-free lives.
3. 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 working toward being recognized by most of the leading insurance providers in BC.
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.

►Back to the top

Why Be A Member of OsteopathyBC?

• Protect your interests by supporting your professional association. OsteopathyBC lobbies to gain rights for osteopathic practitioners and promote the profession in the media.
• Stay in touch with important issues around osteopathy and with your community.
• Get exposure through our online directory and listing of Osteopathic Practitioners in BC.
• Save money by receiving marketing and promotional materials to help grow your practice.
• Gain public awareness through our advertising brochures and hand-outs that you can share on social media, give as online content, and offer to your clients. 
• Advance your career through our listing of job opportunities, educational trainings, and events.
• Expand Your Relationship with Insurance Providers.
• Be part of an osteopathic community

Full OsteopathyBC Members are able to:

• Receive access to our private members-only login page, where you will gain access to:
  • Information on jobs opportunities
  • Listing of educational courses and events
  • Reference documents
  • Policies
  • OsteopathyBC meeting minutes
• Have a vote at all meetings of the society
• Can hold office and serve on committees
• Receive notice of general meetings of the society
• Receive a complimentary subscription of the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine

Temporary OsteopathyBC Members are able to:

• Apply for membership for 6 months or 12 months, after which period temporary membership ceases
• Receive access to our private members-only login page, where you will gain access to:
  • Information on job opportunities
  • Listing of educational courses and events
  • Reference documents
  • Policies
  • OsteopathyBC meeting minutes
• Cannot hold office or vote at society meetings but can serve on committees
• Receive notice of general meetings of the society
• Can participate in discussion at general meetings

Inactive OsteopathyBC Members are able to:

• Receive access to our private members-only login page, where you will gain access to:
  • Information on job opportunities
  • Listing of educational courses and events
  • Reference documents
  • Policies
  • OsteopathyBC meeting minutes
• Do not have a vote at meetings
• Can participate in discussion at general meetings
• Cannot hold office
• Receive notice of general meetings of the society
• Receive a complimentary subscription of the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine

OBC Student Members are able to:

• Participate in the osteopathic community
• Follow the progress we are making with the association
• Stay current with the global osteopathic community
• Participate in discussion and committees
• Receive information and a copy of the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
• Attend the Annual General Meeting, but are not eligible to vote.

►Back to the top

The criteria are as follows:

Full OsteopathyBC Members Criteria:

• Must show proof of having graduated from a full-time program of osteopathic study lasting at least 4 years OR having graduated from a program with equivalent comprehensive osteopathic training
• Must show proof of having professional liability insurance with a limit of liability of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence for the practice of osteopathy and of maintaining this insurance throughout membership
• Must agree in writing to abide by the society’s Code of Ethics and Professional Standards of Practice
• Must meet ongoing requirements for Continuing Professional Development
• Must provide proof of a satisfactory criminal record check in the form required by the Criminals Records Review Act and an equivalent criminal record check from another jurisdiction where the member was residing**
• Must provide proof of holding a current certification in Standard First Aid and Level C cardiopulmonary resuscitation or equivalent certification satisfactory to the directors***.

*Please note: As per the World Health Organization Benchmarks for Training in Osteopathy, "training must be delivered via direct contact", therefore, applicants from online schools will not be considered.

Temporary OsteopathyBC Members Criteria:

• Must show proof of having graduated from a full-time program of osteopathic study lasting at least 4 years OR having graduated from a program with equivalent comprehensive osteopathic training
• Must show proof of having professional liability insurance with a limit of liability of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence for the practice of osteopathy and of maintaining this insurance throughout membership
• Must agree in writing to abide by the society’s Code of Ethics and Professional Standards of Practice
• Must provide proof of a satisfactory criminal record check in the form required by the Criminals Records Review Act and an equivalent criminal record check from another jurisdiction where the member was residing**
• Must provide proof of holding a current certification in Standard First Aid and Level C cardiopulmonary resuscitation or equivalent certification satisfactory to the directors.

Inactive OsteopathyBC Members Criteria:

• Must be a full member at the time of application for inactive status
• Must submit a completed application for inactive status to the Society together with the inactive status application fee
• Must pay any other fee, fine, levy, or debt owed to the Society at the time of the application
• Must show proof that the member had professional liability insurance with a limit of liability of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence in place for his or her practice of  osteopathy for the period that the member was a full member immediately prior to seeking inactive status
• Must not practise osteopathy in British Columbia
• Must maintain inactive status for a minimum period of six months but not more than a maximum period of two years
• Inactive status will commence on April 1 or October 1 following acceptance of the application, whichever date is earlier

Student OsteopathyBC Members Criteria:

• Must be attending a school of osteopathy, in a program, which will qualify them for membership in the society on graduation.
• Must be in their final year of study or writing their thesis or final project. 

►Back to the top

Criminal Record Checks (CRC)

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 info@osteopathybc.ca.

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