Registration is mandatory. To practice as a physiotherapist in Alberta and use the titles physiotherapist or physical therapist, or abbreviation PT, an individual must be registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta.
This information in this section is for individuals previously registered in Alberta and now applying to reinstate their registration.
The criteria all applicants must meet.
Jurisprudence
Passed the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta's jurisprudence module that 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 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.
Additional criteria for applicants applying to return to the General Register:
Experience
Worked 1200 hours as a physiotherapist during the last 5 years. This includes hours you provided physiotherapy services (assessment, diagnosis, treatment), engaged in research and administration, or delivered education with respect to health services delivery and the science, techniques and practice of physiotherapy.
Continuing competence
Completed the Continuing Competence Program activities required for the last year registered. Only required if you were removed from the General Register after December 1, 2018.
Additional criteria for applicants applying to return to the Provisional Register:
Provisional Register eligibility
- Registration on the Provisional Register may not exceed two years. Two years starts from date of initial registration on the Provisional Register and is continuous regardless of breaks in employment or registration.
- You are not eligible for registration on the Provisional Register if you have two failed attempts at completing any combination of Alberta's Post-Graduate Clinical Examination, the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Clinical Component administered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators, or any other Canadian physiotherapy regulator's clinical competency evaluation for full licensure.
- Registration on the Provisional Register may not exceed two years or two failed clinical examination attempts, whichever comes first. A clinical examination attempt is any combination of Alberta's Post-Graduate Clinical Examination, the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Clinical Component administered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators, or any other Canadian physiotherapy regulator's clinical competency evaluation for full licensure.
Supervised practice
A regulated member on the Provisional Register may practice only under the supervision of a regulated member on the General Register. A physiotherapist on the General Register has agreed to supervise your practice.
You are ready to apply to reinstate registration on the General Register when you have:
- 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 on any one patient and for the policy year.
- Ordered a criminal record check from Sterling Talent Solutions (Backcheck) from every country where you have lived for 90+ days within 10 years of your application or dating back to your 18th birthday. A Criminal Record Check is only valid for 90 days from the date of issue so a previously provided check cannot be used again.
- Requested a Regulatory History form from each Canadian jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as a physiotherapist since canceling your registration in Alberta (limited to the last 10 years).
- Requested a Regulatory History form from each non-Canadian jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as a physiotherapist since canceling your registration in Alberta (limited to 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.
- Requested a Regulatory History form from each jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as another regulated professional since canceling your registration in Alberta (limited to the last 10 years).
You are ready to apply to reinstate registration on the Provisional Register when you have completed all of the above steps plus:
- Arranged for supervised practice for each practice site.
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) 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 so even if you provided a report previously, you will need to do so again.
- Regulatory History form from each Canadian jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as a physiotherapist since canceling your registration in Alberta (limited to the last 10 years) to confirm your registration status, conduct history, and clinical evaluation attempts if applicable. A Regulatory History is only valid for 90 days from date of issue.
- Regulatory History form from each non-Canadian jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as a physiotherapist since canceling your registration in Alberta (limited to the last 10 years) to confirm your registration status and conduct history. 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 date of issue.
- Regulatory History form from each jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as another regulated professional (e.g., nurse, acupuncturist, teacher) since canceling your registration in Alberta (limited to the last 10 years) 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.
Documents the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta will obtain directly
- My Practice Improvement Record completed online from the Member Portal (applicable General Register).
- Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written and clinical examination results (applicable Provisional Register).
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.
- Jurisprudence Module Exam Summary to confirm you passed the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta's jurisprudence module.
- Liability insurance. Certificate of Insurance with a current effective date. A future-dated policy will not be accepted.
- Supervision agreement for each practice site to confirm your practice as a physiotherapist will be supervised. Applicable only to applicants applying for registration on the Provisional Register.
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.
When you apply online to reinstate your registration you must first update your Profile and then complete the reinstatement form.
Contact registration@cpta.ab.ca if the option to reinstate your registration does not appear on the Home Page of the Member Portal.
If you were previously authorized to provide a restricted activity, the authorization will be reinstated when your registration is reinstated.
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 in depth 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.
While we try to deal with applications and documents within the timelines noted above processing does take longer when there is a high volume.
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 or 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.
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 applicable Application Fee, Reinstatement 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 and Reinstatement 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, Reinstatement 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.
Application fee Waived for members who cancel their registration and apply to be reinstated within the same registration year, eg. October 1 to September 30 |
$125 |
|
Reinstatement fee Applies only for members who did not renew or cancel their registration |
$250 |
|
Practice permit fee (applications between Oct 1 and Mar 31) |
$805 |
|
Practice permit fee (applications between Apr 1 and Sep 30) |
$615 |
Collected at time applicant registers for the clinical examination (applies only to applicants applying for registration on the Provisional Register).
Clinical Examination |
To be determined. Range $750 - $900 (one sitting) |
Fees paid to another party
Regulatory reference |
At discretion of regulator |
|
Liability insurance |
$125 - $270 |
|
Criminal Record Check |
Canada - $29 + tax United States - $31 + tax Other countries - range is $35 - $350 (See Note below) |
Note: These are estimates only and can vary depending on circumstances, e.g., number of region/state searches within a country, complexity of search, local fees, delay in processing.
Timelines
Regulatory reference |
At discretion of regulator |
|
Liability insurance |
At discretion of insurance provider |
|
Criminal Record Check |
Canada - approximately two business days if cleared based on name search International - several weeks to obtain and varies by country |
|
Supporting documents |
Six business days for the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta to review from date received |
|
Decision on complete file |
Approximately one to two business days |
Post-Graduate Clinical Examination
The Post-Graduate Clinical Examination is a clinical competency examination approved by the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta's Council as per section 3(c) of the Physical Therapists Profession Regulations. Successful completion of the Post-Graduate Clinical Examination is required for admittance to Alberta's General Register and independent practice.
The Post-Graduate Clinical Examination tests whether exam candidates have demonstrated a minimum standard of practice. It is an objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) that tests the candidate’s ability to safely and effectively apply the principles and processes of physiotherapy practice.
*The Post-Graduate Clinical Examination is a 12-station in-person, hands-on clinical examination held in Edmonton Alberta. The content domains are based on the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulator’s examination blueprint.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must be registered on Alberta’s Provisional Register to be eligible to participate in the Post-Graduate Clinical Examination.
Frequency of examination
The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta has an agreement with the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, Continuing Professional Education Unit (CPE unit) of the University of Alberta to administer the Post-Graduate Clinical Examination.
Future examinations will be administered on:
- October 14, 2023
- October 15, 2023
- February 24, 2024
- February 25, 2024
Please note that the February 2024 examination dates are different than originally posted. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Registration is currently not available. All eligible candidates will be notified when registration for these exam dates is available. Registration for clinical examinations is completed in the Member Portal.
Cost
The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta is committed to offering the Post-Graduate Clinical Examination on a cost-recovery basis. The College is not seeking to generate a profit from the administration of the examination. The examination fee reflects the costs of administering the examination. The fee for future examinations has not been determined but will range from $750 to $900.
Results
Candidates will complete 12 stations. An analysis of performance within each station on a predetermined checklist and for the overall exam will be conducted. Pass levels will be determined following the examination using the comprehensive scoring data.
Candidates will receive an email when examination results are available. Examination results will be available in the CPTA member portal 12 weeks after the examination day.
Disclaimer
*The Post-Graduate Clinical Examination is subject to change based on ongoing psychometric reviews.
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.
