Like Alberta’s other regulated health professions, physical therapy is self-regulating and self-governing. Essentially, the province outlines the rules, via healthcare legislation, by which the College can regulate and regulated physical therapists can provide service to Albertans.

The College’s job is to implement and enforce those rules and make decisions that best serve the public’s interest. This is done via a board of directors we call a Council. Council’s role, in collaboration with College staff, is to:

• Fulfill College’s mandate to serve and protect Albertans by regulating the profession
   within the legal framework of the Alberta Physical Therapy Profession Act (the Act).
• Set the College’s strategic direction and monitor progress.
• Oversee the College's management and lead/guide the profession through
   policy, standard and guideline development.
• Hire a Registrar (i.e., College’s chief executive officer) to manage the College’s
   daily operations and its regulatory and administrative functions.
• Perform other duties outlined by the Act (e.g., act as appeal body for registration
   and conduct).

Our council contains eight registered physical therapists elected by their peers and a government appointed public member. Our public member provides valuable and insightful public input and perspective into Council’s policy and decision making processes. We also have a second public member on our discipline committee who provides public representation in our professional conduct processes.

Privilege of self-governance
Self-governance is a privilege, not a right, granted by the government on behalf of Albertans. Both the College and Council govern in a manner that acknowledges and respects that right. W are accountable, accessible, responsive, and firmly committed to the practice of competent, ethical physical therapy in the public interest.