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Unregistered Canadian Educated

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.

The information in this section is for Canadian-educated applicants not currently registered in Canada who have:

  • completed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE) Written and Clinical Component, or
  • completed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE) Written Component and a Canadian physiotherapy regulator's clinical competency evaluation for full licensure

Applicants who have not completed either of the above approved clinical competency evaluations must apply through the New Canadian Graduate route.

If you have questions about the registration process, contact a Registration Coordinator at registration@cpta.ab.ca or 587.442.1088.

The criteria you must meet to be registered on the General Register.

Education

Degree from an accredited Canadian physiotherapy program.

Examination

Passed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written and Clinical Component OR passed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written Component and a Canadian physiotherapy regulator's clinical competency evaluation for full licensure.

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.

Experience

Only applicable if you completed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Clinical Component more than three years ago. Worked 1200 hours as a physiotherapist during the last five years. You may include 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.

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.

Language

Reasonably proficient in the English language to be able to safely and competently practice as a physiotherapist. There are three ways to meet the language requirement:

You are ready to apply when you have:
  • Requested official transcripts from the Canadian physiotherapy program.
  • Passed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written and Clinical Component OR passed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written Component and a Canadian physiotherapy regulator's clinical competency evaluation for full licensure.
  • 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.
  • Requested a Regulatory History form from each Canadian jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as a physiotherapist for the last 10 years.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Canadian-educated in French:
    • Completed an approved English language test, or
    • Requested verification from the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators of completing the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written and Clinical Component in English.

Before you apply, documents you arrange another party to send directly to the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta
  • Official transcripts from the university to confirm your physiotherapy degree has been awarded.
  • Verification from Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators to confirm you completed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written and Clinical Component. Only required if you completed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination before 2012. The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta is able to directly obtain results from 2012 onward.
  • 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. 
  • Regulatory History form from each Canadian jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as a physiotherapist for 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 the date of issue.
  • Regulatory History form from each non-Canadian jurisdiction where you worked or were registered as a physiotherapist for 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 for 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.
  • Applicable only to applicants who obtained their physiotherapy degree from a Canadian program with instruction in French. 
    • Language test from an approved testing agency. The language test is valid for two years from date of issue OR
    • Verification from the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators to confirm you completed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written and Clinical Component in English.
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
  • Physiotherapy Competency Examination results from 2012 onward.
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.
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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Application fee

$125

Practice permit fee (applications between Oct 1 and Mar 31)

$805

Practice permit fee (applications between Apr 1 and Sep 30)

$615

Fees paid to another party

Transcripts

At discretion of university

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, the complexity of the search, local fees, delay in processing.

Timelines

Transcripts

At discretion of university

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

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.

Page updated: 05/10/2023