Summary

• As of January 2026, more than 400 U.S.-trained health professionals have accepted job offers throughout the province, including rural and remote regions, nearly triple the last update
• B.C. has received more than 2,750 job applications as of March 2026 from U.S. doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals as a result of targeted recruitment efforts
• More than 1,300 U.S. trained doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners have registered to practise in B.C., indicating growing interest to work in the province since pathways were streamlined for U.S. credential recognition in 2025

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One year after the B.C. government launched a targeted campaign to recruit U.S.-trained health-care workers, more than 400 professionals have signed on to work in B.C. communities.

It is nearly triple the number since the previous update in September 2025.

“British Columbia is not only a great place to live, it’s also a great place to work and grow your career,” said Premier David Eby. “Our public health-care system values science, respects reproductive rights and provides great care. We can’t wait to welcome more U.S.-trained doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and allied health providers to our amazing province.”  

Strengthening B.C.’s health workforce

Globally, health-care workers are in high demand, including in British Columbia. Government launched recruitment efforts to attract more health-care professionals from the U.S. in March 2025. The marketing campaign started in June 2025, targeting the states of Washington and Oregon, as well as select cities in California. As of January 2026, more than 400 U.S. doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals have accepted job offers within B.C.’s public health-care system. They include 89 doctors, 260 nurses, 42 nurse practitioners and 23 allied health professionals.

“In less than a year, we’ve successfully recruited hundreds of U.S. health-care professionals who are already helping strengthen B.C.’s public health-care system,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “They include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and allied health providers who are joining teams in hospitals and communities across the province. This is just the beginning – U.S. health professionals are enthusiastic about the opportunity to work in B.C., and we will continue welcoming them and connecting them with opportunities throughout the province.”

These doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals are joining hospitals and clinics in the following regions in B.C.:

• Fraser Health - 105 health-care professionals
• Interior Health - 83
• Island Health - 97
• Northern Health - 31
• Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health - 72  
• First Nations Health Authority - 4
• Provincial Health Services Authority - 22

The progress update is part of the Province’s Team B.C. approach in which health authorities, regulatory colleges, local government and communities work together to recruit more health-care professionals from the U.S.

British Columbia is an attractive destination for U.S. health-care professionals.

In addition to an evidence-based approach to public health, support for reproductive rights and strong public health-care system, B.C. has a high standard of living, with free public health care and K-12 education, subsidized licensed child care, top-ranking universities and diverse, safe communities. From March 2025 until January 2026, B.C. received more than 2,750 job applications from U.S. health-care professionals.

More U.S.-trained medical professionals on the way

The Province is seeing strong, continued interest from American health-care professionals wanting to move to B.C., with more than 1,300 nurses, nurse practitioners and doctors showing their interest by getting registered to practise in B.C. Before applying for jobs in B.C., many U.S. health professionals choose to start by registering with the regulatory colleges to get licensed and ensure their credentials will be recognized.

• 1,038 U.S.-trained nurses and nurse practitioners have registered to work in B.C. since the BC College of Nurses and Midwives streamlined the credential-recognition process for U.S.-trained nurses in April 2025, up more than eight times from the year before. In all of 2024, 127 U.S. nurses had registered and 112 were registered in 2023.
• From March 1, 2025, until Jan. 31, 2026, more than 210 U.S.-trained and certified physicians have registered in B.C. This is 145% more than the same period the previous year. This is supported by a new pathway that the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC implemented in July 2025 to make it easier for U.S.-trained doctors to register in B.C.

Removing barriers for internationally trained health professionals to practise in B.C.

The Province, in collaboration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC, has made it easier for internationally trained health professionals to practise in B.C. Actions taken include:

• introducing a new, expedited credential recognition process for U.S.-trained and certified nurses
• making it easier for U.S.-trained and certified doctors to practise in B.C. without the need for further assessment, examination or training
• removing the requirement to hold the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada or Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 for doctors trained outside of Canada and the U.S., and who are applying for registration and licensure in B.C.

By welcoming more U.S. doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals, B.C. is building on the expertise of its health-care workforce to strengthen public health care, strengthen services for people and build healthy communities.

Quotes:

Dr. Ianto West, U.S. psychologist who moved to Vancouver in July 2025 –  

“I’ve never had such a neighbourly experience before. It has been a pretty smooth transition. I moved in July and had an invitation for our first Canadian Thanksgiving by October. I’m loving my bike commute to work, too. It seemed to help that I got registered with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC first. Once I had a job offer, the rest of the process went fast.”

Sean Bujtas, mayor of Terrace –

“Health-care recruitment has been a challenge in the North, and we are so grateful for this program that has brought Terrace six American doctors and nurses. The government’s efforts in streamlining the process are well appreciated by the many northern residents who now have a family doctor. We look forward to continuing to support the Province in this recruitment program.”

Sharie Minions, mayor of Port Alberni –

“Port Alberni is grateful for the Province’s strong efforts to recruit doctors and nurses to rural British Columbian communities like ours. Each and every one of these recruitments makes a meaningful difference in building the capacity we need to ensure residents can access critical health-care services close to home. We look forward to welcoming these new health-care professionals to Port Alberni and continuing to build on this program’s success.”

Learn More:

• To learn more about B.C.’s measures to attract doctors, nurses from the U.S., visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HLTH0090-000915
• To learn more about health-career opportunities in B.C., visit: https://bchealthcareers.ca/
• To learn more about B.C.’s actions to strengthen health care, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/health-care/