Registered in Canada

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 applicants registered as a physiotherapist in another Canadian province or territory (except Nunavut). If you have questions about the registration process, contact a Registration Coordinator at registration@cpta.ab.ca or 587.442.1088.

If you are registered in Canada (except Nunavut), you may be eligible for a streamlined registration process. There are two eligibility criteria:

• The register or license type you hold in your current jurisdiction must be similar to Alberta's General or Provisional Register.
• Registration in your current jurisdiction must be effective at the time your application is approved in Alberta. If registration in your current jurisdiction expires before your Alberta application is ready to be approved you will no longer be eligible for registration through this route.

The General and Provisional Register are both registers for regulated, practicing members. The General Register is the most common and is for applicants who have met all the requirements for full licensure in their current jurisdiction.

Provisional Register Eligibility

Applicants registered on an interim register in their current jurisdiction may be eligible for registration on Alberta's Provisional Register:

• Passing the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written Component is required for eligibility onto the Provisional Register.
• Registration on the Provisional Register may not exceed two years. Two years starts from the date of initial registration on Alberta's 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.

Passing Alberta's Post-Graduate Clinical Examination is required to move to the General Register and able to practice independently.

The criteria all applicants must meet.

Current registration

Registered in a Canadian jurisdiction (except Nunavut) AND the register or license type you hold is similar to Alberta's General or Provisional Register. Registration in your current jurisdiction must be effective at the time your application is approved in Alberta. If registration in your current jurisdiction expires before your Alberta application is ready to be approved you will no longer meet this registration requirement.

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 to ensure coverage wherever you practice as a physiotherapist in Alberta, regardless of role, employment environment, or practice status.

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 seven ways to meet the language requirement:

• Completed your physiotherapy education in English.
• Completed secondary schooling in English.
• Met a current or past Canadian regulatory body’s requirement to demonstrate proficiency in English in that jurisdiction.
• Completed an English language test to meet the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulator's credentialing requirement.
• Provided physiotherapy services in English.
• Passing an approved English Language test.
• Completed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written and Clinical Components in English.

Applicants applying for registration on Alberta's Provisional Register must also meet two additional requirements.

Examination

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 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.
• Requested a Regulatory History form from each Canadian jurisdiction where you are or were registered as a physiotherapist for the last 10 years.
• Canadian-educated in English
  • Report education on application form. No further proof or documentation is required.
  • Report education on application form. No further proof or documentation is required.
  • Arranged for the academic institution to confirm that you completed your physiotherapy education in English.
  • Arranged for the academic institution to confirm that you completed your secondary schooling in English.
  • Arranged for a current or past Canadian regulatory body to verify that you completed that jurisdiction’s English language proficiency requirement.
  • Requested verification from the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators of meeting the credentialing English language proficiency requirement.
  • Arranged for an employer to provide a letter or other evidence to confirm you are competent to practice physiotherapy in English.
  • Passed an approved English Language test.
  • Requested verification from the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators of completing the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written and Clinical Component in English

  Applicants applying for registration on Alberta's Provisional Register must also have:

  • Passed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination Written Component.
  • Arranged for supervised practice for each practice site.
  Apply to be registered (forms)

  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.
    • Click here to order a Canadian Criminal Record Check
    • Click here to order an International Criminal Record Check
    • Academic institution confirmation that you completed your physiotherapy education in English.
    • Academic institution confirmation that you completed your secondary schooling in English.
    • Current or past Canadian regulatory body verification that you completed that jurisdiction’s English language proficiency requirement.
    • Verification Request Form from the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators to confirm you demonstrated English language proficiency through the credentialing process.
    • Employer letter or other evidence to confirm you are competent to practice physiotherapy in English.
    • English Language test from an approved testing agency.
    • Verification Request Form 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 is required as these can often take several weeks to receive.

    Documents the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta will obtain directly

    • Physiotherapy competency examination status for those applicants applying for registration on Alberta's 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.

    Applicants applying for registration on Alberta's Provisional Register must also include:

    • Supervision Agreement for each practice site to confirm your practice as a physiotherapist will be supervised.

    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.
    What to expect after you apply

    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.

    Costs and timelines

    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.

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

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

    Collected at time applicant registers for the clinical examination. Applicable only for applicants applying for registration on the Provisional Register.

    To be determined. Range $750 - $900 (one sitting)

    Fees paid to another party

    At discretion of regulator

    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

    At discretion of regulator

    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

    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

    Personal information

    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.