CSHBC has posted guidance for providing in-person community care during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, has also issued an update to regulated health professionals on resuming health services.

Phase 2 of BC’s Restart Plan is scheduled to begin in mid-May, and includes the restoration of health-related services under enhanced protocols. Until these protocols are released, CSHBC recommends that registrants continue to comply with the current orders and direction of the Provincial Health Officer and the College on COVID-19.

There are important updates for applicants on the pathway to become Registered Audiologists, Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioners, and Registered Speech-Language Pathologists in BC, due to the impact of COVID-19.

CSHBC registrants are asked to ensure the College has their up-to-date email addresses and other contact information. This is particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when CSHBC is updating registrants on guidance regarding practice.

Recommendations to registrants for suspending practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, subject to allowable exceptions, remain fully in effect.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting processes and timelines for registration of new graduates. Until further notice, applicants are advised not to begin the process of enrolling for the CETP Exam for audiology and speech-language pathology until CSHBC provides further information specific to BC. In addition, and until further notice, registration for both the IHS written examination and the CSHBC Practical Examination, for hearing instrument dispensing, have been postponed.

CSHBC advises registrants that the recommendation that registrants in private practice suspend in-person elective and non-essential services remains in effect until further notice.

Registrants who have not renewed their registration for 2020/2021 are reminded that the deadline for completing registration renewal is March 31, 2020.