In British Columbia, neuromodulator injections are prescription drugs. That means a health professional who is allowed to prescribe has to assess you and order the treatment, and the person who injects must be a regulated professional working within their college's scope. In practice, this includes physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses acting on an order, naturopathic physicians who meet their college's standards, and dentists within dental practice. You can check any of them on their college's public register.
People in Burnaby and across Greater Vancouver often search for "anti-wrinkle injections" without knowing who is actually allowed to give them. This guide covers the rules as of October 2026, explains how to look up a practitioner, and lists the warning signs that something is off. It is general information, not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for asking your family physician or the relevant college.
Are neuromodulator injections a prescription drug in Canada?
Yes. Botulinum toxin products, the drug class people mean when they talk about neuromodulators, are on Health Canada's Prescription Drug List (canada.ca, as of October 2026), so they can only be sold and used under a prescription.
Prescription status has three practical consequences for patients:
- Someone with prescribing authority has to be involved. A practitioner with prescribing authority has to assess whether the medication is appropriate for you and issue the order. The prescriber and the injector are not always the same person.
- The drug has to come through a legitimate supply chain. Prescription drugs reach clinics through licensed pharmacies and distributors. A product of unknown origin is a serious concern.
- Advertising is restricted. In Canada, advertising for a prescription drug may only state its name, price and quantity. That is why responsible clinics describe the assessment process rather than promising results, and why you will not see brand names or before-and-after claims in this article.
Who can give neuromodulator injections in BC?
In BC, neuromodulator injections can be prescribed and given only by regulated health professionals whose college allows it, under that college's standards. The main groups are listed below. Each college sets its own limits, and those limits change over time, so the college is always the final authority.
| Profession | Regulatory college | Role with neuromodulators |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed physician in British Columbia | The provincial college that licenses physicians | Can assess, prescribe and inject |
| Nurse practitioner | BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) | Can assess and prescribe within NP scope, and inject |
| Registered nurse | BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) | Can inject on an order from a practitioner who can prescribe; cannot prescribe |
| Naturopathic physician | College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) | Can practise within scope if they meet CCHPBC standards; must hold Prescriptive Authority certification to prescribe |
| Dentist | BC College of Oral Health Professionals | Within the limits their college sets for dental practice |
Some people are not in this list: aestheticians, spa staff, lash or brow technicians, and anyone whose only credential is a private training course. A course certificate shows that someone attended training. It is not a licence to prescribe or inject a prescription drug in BC.
What changed for naturopathic physicians in April 2026?
According to a College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) notice dated January 5, 2026, several separate naturopathic certifications were discontinued on April 1, 2026, when new bylaws took effect under the Health Professions and Occupations Act. These included the cosmetic botulinum toxin certification and the medical (non-cosmetic) botulinum toxin certification.
The college's notice says that after April 1, 2026, naturopathic physicians may practise within the scope of these former certifications without holding a separate certification, provided they meet all applicable professional and practice standards. The same notice says Prescriptive Authority certification is not affected: a naturopathic physician who prescribes drugs must still hold it.
What this means for you:
- From April 2026 onward, you may no longer see a separate "cosmetic botulinum toxin" certification on a naturopathic physician's register entry. That alone is not a red flag.
- What still matters is an active registration in good standing, Prescriptive Authority certification if they will prescribe, and training and practice that meet the college's standards.
- If you have questions about how the standards apply, CCHPBC's practice support team and its published standards (cchpbc.ca) are the authority, not the clinic's marketing.
How do I check my injector's registration?
Ask for the practitioner's full name and profession, then search that name on their college's public register. A legitimate practitioner will expect you to check and will not mind.
Step by step:
- Get the full legal name and profession. "Nurse Jen" or a business name on Instagram is not enough.
- Find the right college. Physicians: the provincial college that licenses physicians (search its online physician directory). Nurses and nurse practitioners: BCCNM ("Search for a nurse"). Naturopathic physicians: CCHPBC (public registry). Dentists: BC College of Oral Health Professionals (public registry).
- Confirm the status. Look for a current, practising registration. Note any conditions, limits or restrictions on practice.
- Check discipline and public notices. Colleges publish disciplinary actions, citations and notices about unauthorized practice.
- Match the details. The name, profession and practice location should be consistent with the clinic you are visiting.
- If a registered nurse will inject, ask who the prescriber is. Then look up that person too. You are entitled to know who ordered the medication.
If you cannot find someone on any register, ask the clinic directly. If the answer is vague, treat it as a reason to stop.
Why does registration matter so much right now?
Unregistered injecting has been in the BC news. In October 2025, CBC News reported that the college that licenses BC physicians had filed a court petition alleging that two people in the Lower Mainland offered neuromodulator and filler injections without registration, and that a client sought hospital care afterward. Colleges in BC can take court action against unauthorized practice, and they invite the public to report it.
Registration does not guarantee a particular outcome, and individual results vary with any injection. What it does give you is accountability: a regulated practitioner has to meet standards on assessment, consent, record-keeping and drug handling, and you have a formal route for a complaint.
What are the red flags when booking injections?
The clearest warning signs are skipping the assessment, unusual settings, and pressure on price. Watch for any of these:
- No assessment before treatment. You are offered an appointment to "come in and get it done" with no medical history, medication review or discussion of whether it suits you.
- Injection "parties" or unusual venues. Group events, home visits arranged through social media, hotel rooms or settings where alcohol is served.
- An unclear product source. The injector cannot or will not tell you where the product came from, or you cannot see that it is a sealed, properly labelled product supplied in Canada.
- A price quoted before anyone has seen you. A firm per-area quote or package deal given over direct message, before any professional has assessed you.
- Pressure and urgency. Promotions that expire today, or being talked into more than you asked about.
- No name, no registration. The person will not give a full name or profession, or cannot be found on a register.
- No consent conversation. Nobody explains possible side effects, such as bruising, headache, asymmetry or a drooping eyelid, or what to do if something happens.
- No follow-up plan. There is no clinic to call afterward and no record of what was given.
What should a neuromodulator consultation involve?
A proper consultation is a medical assessment first and a booking second. Expect the practitioner to:
- Take a health history, including medications and supplements, allergies, neuromuscular conditions, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and any previous injections
- Ask about your goals and say plainly if treatment is not appropriate for you, or if you should see your family physician first
- Explain how the medication is prescribed, who will inject it and where the product comes from
- Go through possible side effects and the warning signs that need prompt care
- Get your informed consent in writing, keep a record of what was given, and explain the follow-up
It is reasonable to leave a consultation without treatment. A practitioner who is comfortable with that is usually one worth trusting.
What does a neuromodulator consultation at Skin Art MD involve?
At Skin Art MD in Burnaby (Metrotown), an assessment always comes before any injection. Dr. Sharon Fong, a physician, and Dr. Ekaterina Krantsevich Riehl, ND, a registered naturopathic physician, both see patients for injectables. You are welcome to look either of them up on their college's register before your visit.
At the first visit, the practitioner reviews your health history, medications and goals, explains who prescribes and who injects, and goes through consent and follow-up. If treatment is not appropriate, they will tell you, and they may suggest checking in with your family physician. Treatment details are discussed only after that assessment. You can read more about the service on our neuromodulator page. Our front desk can help in Chinese. Consultations with the naturopathic physician are in English.
Frequently asked questions
Can a naturopathic doctor give neuromodulator injections in BC?
Yes, within limits. According to CCHPBC, as of April 1, 2026, naturopathic physicians may practise within this scope without a separate certification if they meet the college's professional and practice standards. They still need Prescriptive Authority certification to prescribe.
Can a registered nurse inject without a physician or nurse practitioner?
A registered nurse cannot prescribe a neuromodulator. The nurse injects on an order from a practitioner who can prescribe, under BCCNM standards. Ask who the prescriber is.
Is a training-course certificate enough?
No. A certificate from a private course is not a licence. The person must also be a regulated health professional whose college permits the activity.
Where can I report someone injecting without registration?
Contact the college that regulates the profession they claim to belong to. Most BC colleges have a page about unauthorized practice and a complaints process.
Should I tell my family physician?
It is a good idea, especially if you take medications or have a neuromuscular or other chronic condition. A complete medication list helps any practitioner assess you.
Booking
If you would like an assessment, you can book a naturopathic consultation (an initial consultation of up to 60 minutes) or use our general booking page to see other appointment options at Skin Art MD in Burnaby. Every first visit is a consultation, and any treatment is decided only after that assessment.
