Courtesy Register

Visting instructor

• Providing physiotherapy instruction or demonstration involving direct patient contact, or
• Providing instruction for the performance of a restricted activity

Visiting learner

• Course participant performing a restricted activity while at a course

Visiting clinician

• Providing professional services directly to the public:
  • at a sporting event (physiotherapists traveling with a group (e.g., sports team) and providing services only to that contingent do not need to be registered)
  • during a major public health event (e.g., pandemic)
  • providing cross-border physiotherapy

Current registration

Registered as a physiotherapist in another jurisdiction.

Liability insurance

Only required if applying as a Visiting Clinican. Personally hold professional liability insurance in the amount of $5 million to ensure coverage wherever you practice as a physiotherapist in Alberta, regardless of role or employment environment.

Character + reputation

Are of good character and reputation. There is no past or present behavior or conduct that would put the Alberta public at risk. Evidence is collected by self-declarations, criminal record checks, regulatory history, and civil judgments.

Documents you send directly to the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta

• Application. An application is only valid for 90 days from date of signing.
• Identification. Scanned copy of government-issued photo identification that matches the name on your application. We may request additional identification if your name on any supporting document is different than on your application.
• Liability insurance if applying as a Visiting Clinician. Certificate of Insurance with a current effective date. A future-dated policy will not be accepted.

Email your application and all of the above supporting documents to registration@cpta.ab.ca. All documents must be sent as an email attachment; documents embedded in the email are not accepted.

Applications must be accompanied by all supporting documents which you are required to provide directly. If you do not have all the supporting documents, then you are not ready to apply for registration. All information (application and above supporting documents) must be received together.

Documents you arrange another party to send directly to the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta

• Criminal record check completed by Sterling Talent Solutions (myBackCheck.com) from every country where you have lived for 90+ days within 10 years of this application or dating back to your 18th birthday. A criminal record check is only valid for 90 days from date of issue. 
  • Click here to order a Canadian Criminal Record Check
  • Click here to order an International Criminal Record Check
• Regulatory History form from the jurisdiction where you are currently registered to confirm your registration status and conduct history. A Regulatory History is only valid for 90 days from date of issue.

Coordination of the application process is important to ensure a document does not expire before all required documents are received and approved. This is particularly important if an international criminal record check or international regulatory history report is required as these can often take several weeks to receive.

How we will manage your application file

• In two business days, we will review your application and the supporting documents which are required to accompany your application to ensure the application is complete and the required documentation provided.
  • If yes, we will start the application process and provide access to our Member Portal where you can monitor your application progress.
  • If no to either, we will not start the application process. You will be advised to reapply and provide complete supporting documentation.
• In four days, we will start to work on your application file. This includes reviewing your application and accompanying supporting documents in detail to ensure the registration requirement is met. We will also review any documents received directly from another party.
• A status report is uploaded to your Member Portal.
• Thereafter, any documents received from another party are dealt with in six business days.

Application files are typically assessed by staff, however, the Registrar may refer any matter to the Registration Committee to consider and this will delay the application progress.

Decision on a complete application

• We should be able to approve your application in one to two business days once all registration requirements have been cleared/met unless there are extenuating circumstances.
• Once approved, a practice permit is issued entitling you to practice as a physiotherapist in Alberta.
• Your name will appear on the public registry enabling the public and employers to verify your registration status.

Fees paid to the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta

Collected at time file is complete. Fees are non-refundable.

Fees paid to another party

Note: These are estimates only and can vary depending on circumstances, e.g., number of region/state searches within a country, the complexity of the search, local fees, delay in processing. 

Timelines