The Province of British Columbia is taking new steps to attract more healthcare professionals from the United States, including fast-tracking credential recognition for U.S.-trained doctors and nurses. In a bid to address increasing demand for healthcare services, B.C. is offering a direct licensing process for U.S. physicians certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, allowing them to begin practicing without additional assessments or training. Similarly, U.S.-registered nurses will soon be able to apply directly for licensure in B.C., speeding up the application process.
Alongside these efforts, the province is launching a targeted recruitment campaign aimed at healthcare workers in Washington, Oregon, and California, focusing on areas like cancer care and emergency departments. B.C. will also promote job opportunities in rural communities facing shortages.
This initiative builds on previous efforts to strengthen primary care in B.C., where nearly 250,000 people were connected to a primary care provider in 2024. The province’s recent changes to physician payment models and investment in nurse practitioner positions are part of a broader strategy to meet the growing healthcare needs of the province’s aging population.
Comments