Summary of Updates

Read a summary of the revisions to the Policy on Clinical Faculty Appointments.

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On this page:

• Overview
• Summary of Key Changes
• Steps for Reappointment
• Steps for Promotion

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Overview

The changes have been made in consultation with a diverse representation of clinical faculty and the Clinical Faculty Advisory Council, as well as with the involvement of administrators and academic leaders across academic units and regional sites.

Important dates:

• New appointments effective January 1, 2026 and onward
• Reappointments effective January 1, 2026
• Promotions with effective date July 1, 2026 and onward

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Summary of Key Changes

1. Clarification of processes for appointment, reappointment, and promotion.

Highlights include:

• Academic contribution requirement: Clinical faculty are expected to contribute 50 hours over a two-year period. Refer to “Guide to Academic Activities for Clinical Faculty” for a description of academic activities that fulfill contribution expectations. Considerations for reappointments will be based on contribution since last term.
• Shorter term lengths: Term lengths have been reduced to increase engagement with clinical faculty by creating formal opportunities for check-ins and recognition.
• UBC Faculty of Medicine Clinical Faculty CV: An updated CV template (required for promotion and recommended for reappointment) has been developed specifically for clinical faculty to simplify and streamline information provided.
• Escalation process: A standardized escalation process applies when recommendations differ or concerns are raised.
• Reappointment confirmation: Clinical faculty are required to confirm their intention to be reappointed. This is an opportunity to update relevant information with your unit.
• Promotion reviews: Reviews for promotion now occur twice per year with effective dates January 1 and July 1.
• Referee letters: Letters of reference are required only for Clinical Professor appointments and promotions.

2. Alignment of rank criteria (see Appendix A).

Highlights include:

• Clearer, more inclusive criteria to more fully recognize the distinctive and significant contributions of clinical faculty
• Pathway to promotion at all ranks for clinical faculty whose focus is on excellence in teaching
• Broadened definitions of scholarly contributions to align with existing Guide to Academic Activities for Clinical Faculty in the Faculty of Medicine, including: health system innovation, quality improvement, and non-traditional forms of academic contribution
• Expanded criteria for promotion to Clinical Professor rank, including recognition through either:
  • Breadth across four areas of contribution: education, leadership, service, and/or scholarship, or
  • Depth with exceptional excellence in one or two areas of contribution

3. Establishment of a Faculty Clinical Appointment, Reappointment, and Promotion Committee (FCARP).

An important addition to the policy is the introduction of a Faculty-level oversight committee, which will support consistency across units. The purpose of FCARP is to make recommendations to the Dean in the following cases:

1. All applications for promotion to Clinical Professor
2. Files with a discrepancy between the unit-level committee recommendation and that of the Department Head/ School Director; and
3. At the request of the clinical faculty member, when their proposed rank is lower than the one held at a previous academic institution, or when a recommendation is not in support of appointment, reappointment, or promotion.

This committee replaces the former Clinical Faculty Appointment & Promotion Appeals committee.

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Steps for Reappointment

1. Upcoming term end date for clinical faculty identified: On an annual basis units will pull upcoming clinical faculty term end dates
2. Clinical faculty eligibility and known academic contributions reviewed: Units will review clinical faculty eligibility and academic contributions in the preceding term
3. Clinical faculty member notified of upcoming term end date: Clinical faculty are notified of their appointment end by their respective Department or School
4. Clinical faculty confirms intent to renew: Clinical faculty are required to confirm their intent for reappointment and agree to the terms and conditions of their reappointment. This is an opportunity to update current contact and payment (if applicable) information with your unit.
5. If applicable, clinical faculty submits additional evidence of academic contributions: When reviewing academic contributions, if unit records are insufficient, clinical faculty may be requested to submit additional information. Clinical faculty are expected to maintain an up-to-date record of their academic activities, using the UBC Faculty of Medicine Clinical Faculty CV template.
6. If applicable, Clinical Appointment, Reappointment, and Promotion committee review: If non-reappointment is being considered, the unit’s Clinical Appointment, Reappointment, and Promotion (CARP) Committee reviews the file.
   • If a discrepancy exists between the recommendation of CARP and the recommendation of the Head/Director, the file is sent to FCARP for review.
   • If the is no discrepancy between the recommendation of CARP and the recommendation of the Head/Director then the file does not go to FCARP for review.
7. Clinical faculty notified of decision: Clinical Faculty are notified of reappointment decision.
   • If reappointment is not approved, clinical faculty may request FCARP review (if FCARP did not review).

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Steps for Promotion

Promotions is an optional process initiated by the clinical faculty member.

Why Consider Being Promoted

Being promoted offers formal recognition of sustained contributions and achievements over time, reinforcing the value of a clinical faculty’s work. It opens eligibility for specific research awards and enhances academic credibility, creating opportunities for leadership roles and participation in research and educational initiatives. Promotion also supports recommendations for emeritus status for those who meet the criteria, along with the benefits associated with the UBC Emeritus College. Ultimately, it provides personal and professional fulfillment for individuals who have dedicated years to advancing clinical education and scholarly work.

1. Clinical faculty initiates a pre-promotion review: It is recommended that prior to submitting an application for promotion, clinical faculty reach out to their Head/Director, and/or Division Head to review contributions and discuss readiness.
2. Clinical faculty submits application file for promotion: Clinical faculty submit application file for promotion based on the requirements for rank. Refer to rank criteria (Appendix A).
3. Clinical faculty assessed by Clinical Appointment, Reappointment, and Promotion committee: All files are reviewed by the unit CARP committee.
4. Clinical Appointment, Reappointment, and Promotion committee makes recommendation to Head/Director: CARP makes a recommendation to Head/Director.
5. If applicable, Faculty Clinical Appointment, Reappointment, and Promotion committee review: If promotion application is for the rank of clinical professor or there is a discrepancy between recommendation of CARP and Head/Director, the file is sent to FCARP for review. If FCARP reviews, and recommendation is not to promote, review process stops.
6. Dean makes recommendation to President: The Dean submits recommendations to the President twice a year. Effective dates are January 1 or July 1.
7. Promotion approved: Promotion approved by President’s office.
8. Clinical faculty notified of decision: Clinical faculty are notified of promotion decision. If promotion is not approved, clinical faculty may request FCARP review (if FCARP did not review).

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Resources

• Visit your respective department or school website to find additional information
• Visit the FAQs page to find answers to commonly-asked questions from the information sessions