Starting April 1, 2025, all pharmacy professionals in BC must complete a minimum of 3 hours of learning per year related to Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-racism (ICSH/AR).
These hours will count toward the existing 15-hour annual continuing education (CE) requirement, and registrants may choose accredited or non-accredited learning activities.
This annual requirement is central to our commitment to addressing Indigenous-specific racism in pharmacy care, in alignment with both the In Plain Sight Report recommendations and CPBC’s Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-racism Practice Standard.
Overview
| Effective Date |
April 1, 2025
First ICSH/AR Learning Record(s) due as part of 2026 Registration Renewal.
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| Annual Requirement |
3 hours of ICSH learning (counted as part of the 15-hour total CE requirement, which includes 5 hours of accredited CE).Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility Education Requirements
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| Accredited vs. Unaccredited |
Registrants can choose any combination of accredited or non-accredited ICSH activities.
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| Learning Record |
Registrants must document ICSH hours on at least 1 Learning Record each year.
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| Submission |
Registrants must submit Learning Record(s) via the PDAP Portal on CPBC’s eServices website, as part of annual CE. |
| Proof of Completion |
Keep certificates for accredited courses; for non-accredited learning, registrants should include details and reflections. |
| Ongoing Requirement |
Annual requirement to promote continuous growth in cultural safety, humility, and anti-racism. |
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Acceptable Learning Activities
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Accredited and non-accredited courses, workshops, self-directed study, community-based learning, experiential learning or a combination thereof.
Available Learning Opportunities
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Why This Requirement Matters
Responding to In Plain Sight Recommendations:
The report found that "requirements for cultural safety and humility and addressing Indigenous-specific racism are not adequately embedded throughout policy and standards," and recommended implementing standards to ensure health services are free from racism and discrimination against Indigenous peoples.
Fulfilling Our Practice Standard:
The Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-racism Practice Standard includes building knowledge through education as a core concept, whereby pharmacy professionals are expected to continually seek to provide culturally safe care for Indigenous clients.
Supporting Career-Long Learning:
By embracing ongoing education on traditional Indigenous approaches to health and well-being, social determinants of health, cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-racism allyship, pharmacy professionals contribute to making the health system more inclusive, respectful, and safe for Indigenous peoples.
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An Ethical Responsibility
Pharmacy professionals have an ethical responsibility to provide culturally safe, equitable and inclusive care to Indigenous clients and communities. The 2020 In Plain Sight Report found that Indigenous Peoples face significant barriers and discrimination when accessing health services in BC, and that “requirements for cultural safety and humility and addressing Indigenous-specific racism are not adequately embedded throughout policy and standards.” The report goes on to recommend the implementation of standards, definitions and expectations requiring health services to be free from all forms of racism and discrimination against Indigenous Peoples.
In response, CPBC adopted the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-racism Practice Standard. A core concept within the standard is that of building knowledge through education, whereby pharmacy professionals should continually seek to improve their ability to provide culturally safe care for Indigenous clients.
An Ongoing Journey
An integral part of safe, ethical pharmacy care is the commitment to ongoing professional development and it’s important to recognize that obtaining cultural safety and humility education is not an outcome or a destination but a journey. This learning philosophy acknowledges that meaningful change requires a process of learning and unlearning, self-reflection, and personal growth throughout your professional career.
By establishing annual learning requirements with a focus on ICSH/AR, we are prompting pharmacy professionals to align with the ICSH/AR Practice Standard and to provide inclusive, respectful, and safe pharmacy care for Indigenous Peoples. CPBC will actively support you along your learning journey by maintaining a list of educational resources, proposing diverse learning opportunities, developing practical guides, and providing direct assistance when needed.
Learning resources will be maintained and refreshed based on feedback and emerging knowledge and opportunities.
Key Learning Outcomes
When selecting ICSH-related courses, workshops, or reading materials to fulfill your three-hour requirement within the existing 15-hour annual CE minimum (including at least 5 hours of accredited learning), focus on activities that help you achieve the following core outcomes:
- Develop knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures, histories, worldviews on health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples in BC, and the impacts of colonialism and systemic racism on their health and access to culturally safe care.
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- Critically examine colonial assumptions, stereotypes, prejudices and discriminatory behaviours in pharmacy practice that adversely impact Indigenous health and wellbeing and perpetuate health inequities.
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- Apply cultural safety, cultural humility, anti-racism and trauma-informed principles to provide and adapt pharmacy services to be more culturally appropriate and responsive to the unique needs of Indigenous clients.
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- Enhance communication skills, cultural sensitivity and ethical approaches to build trust and respect with Indigenous clients and communities.
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- Commit to ongoing self-reflection, learning and practice changes to advance cultural safety and humility and dismantle Indigenous-specific racism in pharmacy practice.
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Available Learning Opportunities
Both accredited and non-accredited learning activities related to Indigenous cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-racism can satisfy the new requirement. This includes courses, webinars, workshops, self-directed study, experiential learning and more.
The following is a list of ICSH learning resources to help guide you as you begin your learning journey:
Please note: This list serves as a starting point. Registrants are encouraged to seek further opportunities and take initiative in their respective learning journeys.
CPBC will actively support you along your learning journey by maintaining a list of educational resources, proposing diverse learning opportunities, developing practical guides, and providing direct assistance when needed.
Learning resources will be maintained and refreshed based on feedback and emerging knowledge and opportunities.
Learning Activity
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Cost Associated?
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UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences:
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NO |
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University of Saskatchewan:
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YES |
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BC College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM):
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NO |
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College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC):
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NO |
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BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP):
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NO |
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First Nations Health Authority (FNHA):
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NO |
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interCultural Online Health Network (iCON)
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NO |
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Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres:
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NO |
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Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA):
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VARIES |
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San’yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program:
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YES |
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University of Alberta / Coursera:
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YES |
Workshops and Experiential Learning
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Len Pierre Consulting:
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NO |
Reading Materials
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BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC):
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NO |
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College of Pharmacists of BC (CPBC):
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NO |
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Government of British Columbia:
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NO |
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Health Quality BC:
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NO |
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National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls:
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NO |
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Representative for Children and Youth (RCY):
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NO |
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United Nations:
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NO |
Additional Learning Pathways
In addition to these learning activities, you are strongly encouraged to seek out learning opportunities led by Indigenous educators, leaders, organizations, and Knowledge Keepers in your local area. Immersive, community-based learning is a powerful way to gain firsthand perspectives that enhance cultural understanding and competence.
We also encourage you to pursue self-directed learning through books, articles, podcasts, documentaries, and other resources. This personal exploration allows you to discover diverse Indigenous perspectives, histories, and contemporary issues at your own pace.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Why is the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism (ICSH/AR) learning requirement mandatory?
The 2020 In Plain Sight report found clear evidence of Indigenous-specific racism across the BC healthcare system, resulting in negative experiences and inequitable health outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
In response, CPBC adopted the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-racism Practice Standard. This standard sets the clear expectation that pharmacy professionals must continually seek to improve their ability to provide culturally safe care to Indigenous clients through ongoing learning.
Making ICSH/AR education an annual requirement establishes a consistent expectation for registrants to have the knowledge and awareness necessary to provide culturally safe, equitable and inclusive care to Indigenous clients and communities. By regularly re-engaging with Indigenous perspectives and critically examining biases and behaviours that perpetuate health inequities, pharmacy professionals can make meaningful changes to advance Indigenous health equity and reconciliation.
ICSH/AR education is central to the College's commitment to fulfilling the recommendations of the In Plain Sight Report and to creating culturally safe experiences for Indigenous Peoples when accessing pharmacy services in BC.
- What happens if I don't complete the ICSH/AR learning requirement?
Completing the ICSH/AR learning is tied to your registration renewal. If you do not fulfill this requirement, you will not be eligible to renew your registration.
- Are there any exemptions to the ICSH/AR learning requirement?
There are no specific exemptions for the ICSH/AR learning requirement. However, if you are on or expect to take medical, maternity, parental, or compassionate care leave, you may qualify for a general CE exemption.
- My registration renewal deadline is approaching, and I don't have enough time to complete the ICSH/AR learning. Can I still renew?
No. The ICSH/AR learning is mandatory for registration renewal. If you do not complete it, you will not be able to renew your registration.
- Will CPBC audit the ICSH/AR learning submissions?
Yes. While all CE submissions are automatically verified for completeness, CPBC also conducts manual audits on a random sample of registrants to confirm the veracity and consistency of CE submissions and that the learning activities entered match the supporting documentation provided. This includes the ICSH/AR learning requirement.
- What learning activities are acceptable for the ICSH/AR requirement?
Any accredited or non-accredited learning related to Indigenous cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-racism counts towards the requirement. CPBC has compiled a sample list of learning activities to get you started, but you are encouraged to seek other opportunities as well.
Please use the following key learning outcomes to help guide your selection of ICSH/AR learning activities:
- Develop knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures, histories, worldviews on health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples in BC, and the impacts of colonialism and systemic racism on their health and access to culturally safe care.
- Critically examine colonial assumptions, stereotypes, prejudices and discriminatory behaviours in pharmacy practice that adversely impact Indigenous health and wellbeing and perpetuate health inequities.
- Apply cultural safety, cultural humility, anti-racism and trauma-informed principles to provide and adapt pharmacy services to be more culturally appropriate and responsive to the unique needs of Indigenous clients.
- Enhance communication skills, cultural sensitivity and ethical approaches to build trust and respect with Indigenous clients and communities.
- Commit to ongoing self-reflection, learning and practice changes to advance cultural safety and humility and dismantle Indigenous-specific racism in pharmacy practice.
- How do I document my ICSH/AR learning?
In the "Act" section of your Learning Record, select "Yes" next to the statement "This activity is related to Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism" to indicate an ICSH/AR learning activity."
- I am an Indigenous pharmacy professional. Does the ICSH/AR learning requirement apply to me?
Yes, the ICSH/AR learning requirement applies to all pharmacy professionals renewing their registration in BC, regardless of background. Ongoing education promotes a shared foundation and responsibility for advancing Indigenous cultural safety and humility.
- Does general anti-racism, allyship or I.D.E.A. (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility) training qualify as ICSH/AR learning?
It depends on the content. General anti-racism training will only count towards the ICSH/AR requirement if it explores issues specifically relevant to Indigenous peoples and communities in British Columbia and/or Canada. Training that focuses exclusively on other forms of racism would not qualify on its own.
Please use the following key learning outcomes to help guide your selection of ICSH/AR learning activities:
- Develop knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures, histories, worldviews on health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples in BC, and the impacts of colonialism and systemic racism on their health and access to culturally safe care.
- Critically examine colonial assumptions, stereotypes, prejudices and discriminatory behaviours in pharmacy practice that adversely impact Indigenous health and wellbeing and perpetuate health inequities.
- Apply cultural safety, cultural humility, anti-racism and trauma-informed principles to provide and adapt pharmacy services to be more culturally appropriate and responsive to the unique needs of Indigenous clients.
- Enhance communication skills, cultural sensitivity and ethical approaches to build trust and respect with Indigenous clients and communities.
- Commit to ongoing self-reflection, learning and practice changes to advance cultural safety and humility and dismantle Indigenous-specific racism in pharmacy practice.
- Can I count the same ICSH/AR learning activities towards my annual CE requirements?
Yes. The 3 hours of ICSH/AR learning are part of, not in addition to, the minimum 15 hours of annual CE. For example, 3 hours of ICSH/AR learning plus 12 hours of other CE would meet the overall requirement.
- Do I need to complete different ICSH/AR learning each year or can I repeat the same courses?
We encourage you to expand your knowledge by exploring different topics and formats of ICSH/AR learning each year.
- How can I find ICSH/AR learning opportunities in my community?
Start by reaching out to the First Nations in your area or your local Indigenous friendship centre. You may also wish to contact organizations such as the First Nations Health Authority, other health authorities and post-secondary institutions. Many offer culturally relevant learning opportunities for health professionals.
- Can I claim ICSH/AR learning retroactively if I completed it prior to the requirement coming into effect?
No. Only ICSH/AR learning completed on or after April 1, 2025, is eligible. Like all learning activities, ICSH/AR training must have taken place within the 12 months prior to your individual renewal date. Hours and Learning Records cannot be carried over from year to year.
- I work in a pharmacy that serves few Indigenous clients. Do I still need to complete the ICSH/AR requirement?
Yes. The ICSH/AR learning requirement applies regardless of practice setting or patient demographics. All pharmacy professionals should be equipped to provide culturally safe and anti-racist care to Indigenous clients across the province.
- Is there a specific format or delivery method required for ICSH/AR learning activities?
No, you can choose any format that meets your learning needs and preferences, such as online courses, in-person workshops, conferences, books, podcasts, self-study, etc. Both accredited and non-accredited activities are accepted.
Please use the following key learning outcomes to help guide your selection of ICSH/AR learning activities:
- Develop knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures, histories, worldviews on health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples in BC, and the impacts of colonialism and systemic racism on their health and access to culturally safe care.
- Critically examine colonial assumptions, stereotypes, prejudices and discriminatory behaviours in pharmacy practice that adversely impact Indigenous health and wellbeing and perpetuate health inequities.
- Apply cultural safety, cultural humility, anti-racism and trauma-informed principles to provide and adapt pharmacy services to be more culturally appropriate and responsive to the unique needs of Indigenous clients.
- Enhance communication skills, cultural sensitivity and ethical approaches to build trust and respect with Indigenous clients and communities.
- Commit to ongoing self-reflection, learning and practice changes to advance cultural safety and humility and dismantle Indigenous-specific racism in pharmacy practice.
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