Educated in Canada: Provisional Register

Passing the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written Component is required for eligibility onto the Provisional Register.

You are not eligible for registration on the Provisional Register if you failed any combination of the approved clinical examinations listed below two or more times.

Note: The last administration of the PCE Written Component was November 2025. Applicants who did not pass the written component before it was discontinued must now pass the Canadian Physiotherapy Examination before they are eligible to apply for registration in Alberta to the General Register.

• Registration on the Provisional Register is limited to a maximum of two years or two unsuccessful clinical examination attempts, whichever comes first.
• The two-year period begins on the initial registration date and continues without interruption, regardless of any breaks in employment or registration status.
• A clinical examination attempt is any combination of an approved clinical examination listed below.
• Successful completion of an approved clinical examination is required to move to the General Register and authorization to practice independently.

Approved Clinical Examinations:

• Physiotherapy Competency Examination Clinical Component administered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators.
• Canadian Physiotherapy Examination administered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators.
• A Canadian physiotherapy regulator’s clinical competency evaluation for full licensure.

Click here to see changes to the registration examination requirement in 2026.

Physiotherapy Education

Degree from an accredited Canadian physiotherapy program.

Examination

Passed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written Component

Jurisprudence

Passed the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta's jurisprudence module which evaluates your understanding and application of the rules governing practice in Alberta.

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Education

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

Liability Insurance

Personally hold professional liability insurance in the amount of $5 million.

Supervised Practice

A physiotherapist on the General Register has agreed to supervise your practice.

Character and Reputation

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

Language

Reasonably proficient in the English language to safely and competently practice as a physiotherapist. 

An application is valid for 90 days from the date of submission. If your application expires, your file will be closed, and the practice permit fee only will be refunded. The application fee and practice permit fee are applied to a subsequent application.

You are ready to apply when you have:

• Completed a Canadian physiotherapy program.
• Passed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written Component.
• Passed the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta's jurisprudence module.
• Completed the mandatory sexual abuse and sexual misconduct education.
• Purchased professional liability insurance in the amount of $5 million. A future-dated policy will not be accepted. All regulated members of the College must carry professional liability insurance as a condition of registration. This means you must have an active, continuous insurance policy at all times, regardless of your role, employment environment, or employment status.
• Arranged for supervised practice for each practice location. A regulated member on the Provisional Register may practice only under the supervision of a regulated member on the General Register.
• Ordered a criminal record check from Sterling/BackCheck (alternatives not accepted) from every country where you have lived for 90+ days within five years of your application or dating back to your 18th birthday. A criminal record check is valid only for 90 days from the date of issue. 
• Requested a Regulatory History form from each Canadian jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as a physiotherapist for the last 10 years. A Regulatory History is only valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
• Requested a Regulatory History form from each non-Canadian jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as a physiotherapist for the last 10 years. If you worked, but were not registered, in a jurisdiction where the physiotherapy profession is subject to registration or any other form of regulation, a Regulatory History form is still required to confirm you were not registered. A Regulatory History is only valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
• Requested a Regulatory History form from each jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as another regulated professional (e.g., nurse, acupuncturist, teacher) for the last 10 years. A Regulatory History is only valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
• If your physiotherapy program's instruction was in French:
  • Completed an approved English language test. A language test is valid for two years from the date of issue. 

Before you apply, documents you arrange another party to send directly to the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta:

1. Official transcripts from the university to confirm that your physiotherapy degree has been awarded. Before your degree is awarded, we will accept a letter directly from the Department Chair confirming you have completed the physiotherapy program and are eligible to convocate.
2. If you completed a Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators' examination before 2012: [We can obtain exam results directly from 2012 onward.]
   1. Verification that you completed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written Component
3. Criminal record check completed by Sterling/BackCheck from every country where you have lived for 90+ days within five years of this application, or dating back to your 18th birthday.
4. Requested a Regulatory History from each Canadian jurisdiction where you were registered as a physiotherapist for the last 10 years to confirm your registration status and conduct history.
5. Requested a Regulatory History from each non-Canadian jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as a physiotherapist for the last 10 years.
6. Requested a Regulatory History from each jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as another regulated professional (e.g., nurse, acupuncturist, teacher) for the last 10 years.
7. If your physiotherapy program's instruction was in French:
   1. Language test from an approved testing agency.

Coordination of the application process is important to ensure that 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.

Documents the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta will obtain directly

• Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators' examination results from 2012 onward.

When you apply, documents you will include WITH your application

• Jurisprudence Module Exam Summary to confirm you passed the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta's jurisprudence module. 
• Sexual abuse and sexual misconduct education certificate to confirm you completed the Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct eLearning module.
• Liability insurance certificate or policy to confirm you personally have coverage for $5 million at the time of applying.
• Supervision agreement for each practice location to confirm that your practice as a physiotherapist will be supervised
• Identification. Scanned copy of government-issued 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.

Application

Before you apply, ensure you have read and followed the instructions in the "Access your readiness to apply" and "Apply to be registered" sections. Failure to include or arrange for the documents as specified will significantly delay the application process.

• Online Application. An application is only valid for 90 days from the date of submission.

How we will manage your application file

• In three 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, resubmitted applications, and email correspondence are dealt with in three business days.
• A status report is available in your Member Portal and updated each time a requirement is cleared.

While we try to deal with applications and documents within three business days, processing does take longer when there is a high volume, so three days is not a guarantee.

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.

An application is valid for 90 days from the date of submission. If your application expires, your file will be closed, and the practice permit fee only will be refunded. The application fee and practice permit fee are applied to a subsequent application.

Decision on a complete application

• Your application can typically be approved within one to two business days after all registration requirements are 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 employers and the public to verify your registration status.

Applications may also be deferred, refused, or conditions imposed if it is in the best interest of the public.

An applicant whose application for registration is approved subject to conditions (except the supervision condition when it is a legislated register condition), or whose registration is deferred or whose application is refused, may, within 30 days after being given a copy of the decision, request a review by the council in accordance with section 31(3) of the Health Professions Act.

Decisions or actions taken by the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta can be reviewed by the provincial Ombudsman in accordance with the Ombudsman Act.

Fees paid to the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta

An invoice for the Application Fee and Practice Permit 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. The Practice Permit Fee is refundable until your application is approved. After approval the Practice Permit 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 at which time the Practice Permit Fee will be refunded. The Application Fee and Practice Permit Fee are applied on a subsequent application.

The registration year is from October 1 to September 30. The Practice Permit Fee is for a permit to September 30.

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

Collection of Information

The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta collects information from applicants and members for regulatory purposes. This includes determining eligibility for registration, maintaining the Register of Members and implementing the investigation and discipline process. Information is also used to support activities that further the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta’s mandate to protect the public interest. The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta keeps complete registration files for a minimum of 10 years following removal from the register.

Who do we share your information with?

In accordance with Sections 33(3), 85 and 119 of the Health Professions Act, the following information on the Register of Members must be disclosed to the public upon request: member’s full name, registration number, practice permit status (including conditions, restrictions, suspensions, cancellations), whether they are authorized to perform a restricted activity, practice specialization, and conduct findings on record. Members of the public may access information on the register by contacting the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta directly or through our online register.

In accordance with the Bylaws, the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta may disclose the following information concerning its regulated members to members of the public in order to support its physiotherapist search function on its website: member’s names used in practice; employment information including business name, mailing address, telephone number, fax number and email address; degrees and other qualifications; practice areas and specializations; school of graduation; gender; and languages in which the member can provide professional services.

In accordance with Section 122 of the Health Professions Act, the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta is required to provide demographic, education and practice information to the Minister of Health for planning and resource allocation, health system management, public health surveillance, and health policy development.

In accordance with the Bylaws, the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta may disclose information in a summarized or statistical form so that it is not possible to relate the information to any particular identifiable person.

How can you access and correct your information?

You may access and correct most information using My Profile in the Member Portal. Information that may not be changed online must be brought to the attention of the College.

Who should you contact for more information?

The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta is committed to protecting all personal information shared with us. The commitment to safeguarding your privacy is reflected in our privacy policy. Contact the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta’s Privacy Officer if you have questions about the collection, use, and disclosure of your information. 780.438.0338 or info@cpta.ab.ca.