B.C. reveals number of U.S.-trained healthcare professionals recruited amid campaign

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The province has announced over 400 healthcare professionals from the U.S. have been recruited to work in B.C. over the last year, of which 31 were in Northern Health. 

In a March 17th press release, B.C.’s Ministry of Health announced more than 400 health professionals trained in the U.S. had accepted job offers across the province since March 2025. Of those, 31 will be working within the Northern Health authority. 

In March 2025, the province launched a program to recruit U.S.-trained healthcare workers to work in B.C. by targeting specific states such as Washington, Oregon and California.

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

Josie Osborne, B.C.’s minister of health, praised the program, noting it was helping to strengthen the province’s public healthcare system by tripling the number of U.S.-trained recruits since September 2025. 

“[The professionals] include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and allied health providers who are joining teams in hospitals and communities across the province,” Osborne said. 

“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.”

Those over 400 recruits include 260 nurses, 89 doctors, 42 nurse practitioners and 23 allied health professionals. 

David Eby, the B.C. premier, noted the province was a “great place to work and grow your career.” 

“Our public healthcare system values science, respects reproductive rights and provides great care,” Eby stated. 

“We can’t wait to welcome more U.S.-trained doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and allied health providers to our amazing province.”

Newly-recruited healthcare professionals are distributed across the province to various health authorities:

• Fraser Health: 105 
• Island Health: 97
• Interior Health: 83
• Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health: 72
• Northern Health: 31
• Provincial Health Services Authority: 22
• First Nations Health Authority: Four

According to the release, the province is collaborating with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC to make it easier for internationally-trained healthcare professionals to practice in the province. 

Some of the actions taken to support this include introducing an expedited credential recognition process for U.S.-trained and certified nurses and removing the requirement for individuals to hold the licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada for doctors trained outside of Canada and the U.S., and who are applying for registration and licensure in B.C. 

According to the Medical Council of Canada, the licentiate is a high-standard certificate required to practice medicine, awarded to physicians who pass the Medical Council of Canada qualifying examination part one. 

Between March 1st, 2025 and January 31st, 2026, rates of U.S.-trained and certified physicians registering in B.C. have increased by 145 per cent more than the same period the previous year.