More than 400 U.S.-trained health-care professionals have accepted jobs across British Columbia, nearly tripling the number reported in September 2025 as provincial officials escalate an international recruitment campaign that specifically targets workers from Washington, Oregon, and parts of California.
The hires include 89 physicians, 260 nurses, 42 nurse practitioners, and 23 allied health professionals now working in hospitals and communities throughout the province, including rural and remote regions. The recruitment effort, launched in March 2025 and marketed beginning in June, targets health workers primarily in Washington, Oregon, and parts of California.
“British Columbia is not only a great place to live, but it’s also a great place to work and grow your career,” Premier David Eby said in a statement, citing the province’s public health system, support for reproductive rights, and emphasis on science-based care. Health Minister Josie Osborne said the influx is already helping strengthen care delivery. “This is just the beginning,” she said, adding that interest from U.S. professionals remains strong.
As of January 2026, the province has received more than 2,750 job applications from U.S.-trained doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and allied health workers. More than 1,300 U.S.-trained physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners have also registered to practice in British Columbia, a step often required before applying for jobs. Officials say that figure reflects growing interest following changes in 2025 that streamlined credential recognition.
Among those changes: an expedited licensing process for U.S.-trained nurses introduced in April 2025 and a new pathway for U.S.-trained physicians implemented in July 2025, allowing many to practice without additional exams or training. The number of U.S.-trained nurses and nurse practitioners registering in B.C. has increased sharply, with 1,038 registering since April 2025, more than eight times the total in 2024. Physician registrations have also risen, with more than 210 recorded between March 2025 and January 2026, a 145% increase over the same period a year earlier.
The new hires are spread across multiple health authorities, including Fraser Health, Island Health, and Interior Health, as well as northern and coastal regions. Officials say the recruitment effort is part of a “Team B.C.” approach that includes coordination among health authorities, regulatory colleges, and local communities.
British Columbia promotes its publicly funded health-care system, high quality of life, and access to services such as education and child care as key draws for U.S. workers. The province says it will continue recruiting internationally trained professionals as it works to expand capacity and improve access to care. The aggressive recruitment campaign comes as Washington and other Western states face their own health-care worker shortages, raising questions about whether British Columbia’s gains come at the expense of underserved communities south of the border.
