Courtesy Register

Visiting 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

Cross-border physiotherapy refers to physiotherapy services performed across a provincial border. Click here to view approved purposes.

Current registration

Registered as a physiotherapist in another jurisdiction with a full license and no limitations, conditions or restrictions imposed.

Liability insurance

Only required if applying as a Visiting Clinician. Personally hold professional liability insurance in the amount of $5 million to cover your practice in Alberta.

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.

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Education

Completed the mandatory education in place to protect patients from sexual abuse and sexual misconduct by physiotherapists.

An application is valid for 90 days from the date of submission. If your application expires, your file will be closed. The application fee is non-refundable and will not be refunded. The application fee is applied on a subsequent application.

Before you apply, 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). A criminal record check is only valid for 90 days from date of issue.  (See the note below.)
  • NOTE: Visiting instructors or visiting learners must provide a criminal record check from the country where they are currently living. Visiting clinicians must provide a criminal record check from every country where they have lived for 90+ days within five years of this application or dating back to their 18th birthday.
• Regulatory History form from the jurisdiction(s) where you are currently registered as a physiotherapist or another regulated professional 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.

When you apply, documents you will include WITH your application

• 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.
• Sexual abuse and sexual misconduct education. Certificate to confirm you completed the Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct eLearning module.
• Liability insurance if applying as a Visiting Clinician. Certificate or policy with a current effective date. A future-dated policy will not be accepted.

Application

Before you apply ensure you have read and followed the instructions in the sections above. Failure to include or arrange for the documents as specified will significantly delay the application process.

• Online Application. New applicants to Alberta apply for registration online. An application is valid for 90 days from the date of submission.

Returning applicants must temporarily apply for registration by emailing this PDF application and supporting documents to registration@cpta.ab.ca. An application is valid for 90 days from the date of signing.

To avoid multiple applications during the same registration year, include all of the confirmed dates when you will be in Alberta until September 30, 2025.

How we will manage your application file

• In five business days, we will start to work on your application file. This includes reviewing your application and accompanying supporting documents to ensure each document meets the registration criteria. We will also review any documents received directly from another party.
• Thereafter, any documents received from another party, resubmitted documents and email correspondence are dealt with in six business days.
• A status report is available in your Member Portal and updated each time a requirement is cleared.

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

An invoice for the Application Fee is generated as soon as your application is submitted. The invoice must be paid in full before your application will be reviewed. The Application Fee is non-refundable.

An application is valid for 90 days from the date of submission. Your file will be closed if your application expires. The Application Fee is applied on a subsequent application.

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