British Columbia is taking aggressive steps to recruit doctors and nurses from the U.S., aiming to fast-track credential recognition and address shortages in key medical fields. With unprecedented demand for primary care and growing pressure on the healthcare system, the province is streamlining licensing pathways and launching a targeted recruitment campaign to attract skilled professionals.
Fast-Tracking Credential Recognition for US-Trained Medical Professionals
Recognizing the barriers faced by internationally trained healthcare workers, B.C. is working with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC to create a direct licensing pathway for U.S.-trained doctors. Physicians certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) will no longer need additional assessment, examinations, or training to obtain a full license in B.C. This approach mirrors similar reforms recently implemented in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The province expects these changes to take effect in the coming months, pending bylaw consultations.
For nurses, the BC College of Nurses and Midwives is implementing new measures to speed up the licensing process. Instead of undergoing a lengthy review, U.S.-registered nurses will soon be able to apply directly for licensure. The college will assess their education, exam results, and regulatory history through the U.S. national nurse-licensure and disciplinary database, significantly reducing wait times.
Targeted Recruitment and Expansion of Primary Care Services
To attract healthcare workers from the U.S., the province is launching an immediate recruitment drive, followed by a major marketing campaign in 2025 targeting Washington, Oregon, and California. The campaign, developed in collaboration with health authorities, regulatory bodies, and other partners, will focus on filling critical shortages in cancer care, emergency departments, and rural communities.
This initiative builds on previous efforts to recruit health professionals from the U.K. and Ireland and complements B.C.’s broader strategy to fast-track credential recognition for internationally trained workers.
In parallel with recruitment efforts, B.C. has made significant progress in expanding access to primary care. The Health Connect Registry, which was launched in 2019 and expanded province-wide in 2023, has helped match more residents with primary care providers. In 2024, a record-breaking 250,000 people were connected to a family doctor or nurse practitioner—averaging 680 matches per day. This marks a substantial increase from 186,000 in 2023 and 131,000 in 2022.
Strengthening B.C.’s Healthcare Workforce
B.C. has been ramping up efforts to train and recruit family doctors and nurse practitioners to meet the needs of a growing and aging population. Since the introduction of the new physician payment model in 2023, the province has added 1,001 new family doctors. Additionally, the number of nurse practitioners in B.C. has nearly tripled since 2018, reaching over 1,200, with 178 new nurse practitioners registered in 2024 alone.
Recruiting more nurses is also key to supporting the implementation of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, a major initiative backed by the province and the BC Nurses’ Union. These improvements will make B.C. more competitive compared to other Canadian provinces, ensuring better working conditions for nurses and higher-quality patient care.
With these sweeping changes, B.C. is positioning itself as a top destination for US-trained healthcare professionals, offering a streamlined licensing process, competitive job opportunities, and a high quality of life.
British Columbia’s healthcare system is under immense pressure, with demand for family doctors and nurses at an all-time high. By simplifying the licensing process for U.S. medical professionals and launching an aggressive recruitment campaign, the province aims to fill critical shortages and strengthen primary care access. With record-breaking numbers of people connecting to healthcare providers and significant growth in the workforce, B.C. is making major strides—but the need for more professionals remains urgent.
