Governing Legislation
Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991
The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), which came into force on December 31, 1993, and amended in June 2007, provides a common legislative framework under which all regulated health professions in Ontario must function. Currently 28 health professions are regulated under the RHPA.
The underlying objectives of the RHPA are:
- To protect the public from harm and from unqualified, incompetent or unfit providers;
- To promote safe, high quality care;
- To make regulated health professions accountable to the public;
- To provide patients/clients access to health-care professionals of their choice;
- To achieve equality and consistency by requiring all regulated health professions adhere to the same purposes, procedures and public interest principles;
- To treat individual patients/clients and health professionals in an equitable manner.
RHPA assigns duties and responsibilities to:
The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care;
The Colleges that regulate health professions;
The Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council; and
The Health Professions Appeal and Review Board.
Please click here to view the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 on e-Laws.
Regulations under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991
- R-262/18: Prescribed Offences
- R-261/18: Information Prescribed Under Subsection 23(2) of the Health Professions Procedural Code
- R-260/18: Patient Criteria Under Subsection 1(6) of the Health Professions Procedural Code
- R-39/02: Certificates of Authorization
Homeopathy Act, 2007
Every regulated health profession in Ontario has, in addition to the RHPA, a profession-specific Act which establishes a regulatory college responsible for governing the profession to ensure the public is protected. The Homeopathy Act, 2007 establishes the College of Homeopathy of Ontario.
The Homeopathy Act, 2007 sets out:
- The scope of practice of homeopathy is defined as "...the assessment of body system disorders and treatment using homeopathic techniques to promote, maintain or restore health";
- Title protection, authorizing only members of the College of Homeopathy of Ontario the use of the title "homeopath", a variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language;
- The composition of the College Council;
Homeopathy Act, 2007 .
- Quality Assurance Regulation O. Reg. 32/13
- Professional Misconduct Regulation O. Reg. 315/12
- Registration Regulation O. Reg. 18/14 [updated as of August 31, 2023]
CHO Bylaws
CHO Definitions