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 Physiotherapy Alberta.
The information in this guide is for applicants registered as a physiotherapist in another Canadian province or territory (except Nunavut).
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 registration requirements.
Applicants in the process of completing the Physiotherapy Competency Examination to meet their current jurisdiction's registration requirements may be eligible for registration on the Provisional Register:
- Passing the PCE written component is required for eligibility onto the Provisional Register.
- Registration may not exceed 2 years or 2 failures of the PCE clincial component.
- Practice must be supervised by a physiotherapist on the General Register.
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 our 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 Physiotherapy 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 whereever 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 Check, 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 four ways to meet the language requirement:
- completed your physiotherapy education in Canada in English
- demonstrated English language proficiency through CAPR's credentialing process
- completed both components of the Physiotherapy Competency Examination in English
- passed an approved English Language test
Applicants in the process of completing the PCE must also meet 2 additional requirements.
Examination
Passed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination written component.
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 Physiotherapy Alberta's jurisprudence module (version 6).
- 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 jurisdiction where you worked 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 from each jurisdiction where you worked 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 CAPR of completing the PCE in English
- Internationally-educated:
- Requested verification from CAPR of meeting the credentialing English language proficiency requirement or completing the PCE in English
Applicants in the process of completing the Physiotherapy Competency Examination must also have:
- Passed the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE) written component.
- Arranged for supervised practice for each practice site.
Documents you send directly to Physiotherapy Alberta
- Application:
- Identification. Scanned copy of government-issued photo identification which 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 Physiotherapy Alberta's jurisprudence module.
- Liability insurance. Certificate of Insurance with a current effective date. A future-dated policy will not be accepted.
Applicants in the process of completing the Physiotherapy Competency Examination must also include:
- Supervision Agreement for each practice site to confirm your practice as a physiotherapist will be supervised.
Email your application and all of the above supporting documents to registration@physiotherapyalberta.ca.
Documents you arrange another party to send directly to Physiotherapy 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.
- Regulatory History form from each jurisdiction where you worked 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 as another regulated professional (e.g., nurse, acupuncturist, teacher) 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.
- Language verification. Applicable only to applicants who obtained their physiotherapy degree from a Canadian program with instruction in French or internationally-educated.
- Canadian-educated in French. Language test from approved testing agency. The language test is valid for two years from date of issue OR Verification Request Form from CAPR to confirm you completed the PCE in English.
- Internationally-educated. Verification Request Form from CAPR to verify you demonstrated English language proficiency through the credentialling process or completed the PCE in English.
Documents Physiotherapy Alberta will obtain directly
- Physiotherapy Competency Examination results.
How we will manage your application file
- An email in 4 business days with access to our Member Portal where you can monitor your application progress.
- 6 business days for staff to deal with registration documents from the time received.
- Our main way to communicate with applicants is the Member Portal. From the Member Portal you will see when each registration requirement is cleared or whether you must provide additional information.
Registration documents and emails from all applicants and members are placed in a queue and dealt with in the order they are received. This includes initial application with supporting documents, documents submitted by another party, resubmitted documents and email enquries. We try to deal with documents and emails in 6 business days. However, processing may 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 1 - 2 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. Decisions or actions taken by Physiotherapy Alberta can be reviewed by the provincial Ombudsman in accordance with the Ombudsman Act.
Fees paid to Physiotherapy Alberta - College + Association
Collected at time file is complete, based on date of registration and for a practice permit to the end of the current registration year, e.g., September 30, 2021.
| Application fee | $125 |
|---|---|
| Practice permit fee (applying for registration between Oct 1 and Mar 31) | $805 |
| Practice permit fee (applying for registration between Apr 1 and Sep 30) | $615 |
Fees paid to another party
| Regulatory reference | At discretion of regulator |
|---|---|
| Liability insurance | $200 - $250 |
| Criminal Record Check |
Canada - $29 + tax United States - $31 + tax Other countries - range is $35 - $350. Refer to the country order form for country costs. Note: These are estimates only and can vary depending on circumstances, e.g., number of 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 - approx 2 business days if cleared based on name search |
| Supporting documents | 6 business days for Physiotherapy Alberta to review from date received |
| Decision on complete file | Approx. 1 - 2 business days |
Physiotherapists are autonomous health professionals accountable for their conduct and practice. As such, you are required to personally hold professional liability insurance to ensure coverage when they practice as a physiotherapist in Alberta, regardless of role or employment environment. The amount of coverage you must have is $5 million per occurrence/patient and $5 million minimum for the policy year.
Liability insurance is offered through a variety of providers. We've included links to insurance programs providing coverage to the majority of Alberta physiotherapists. Not all policies offer the same coverage.
You are responsible for reviewing each policy and making an informed decision. Physiotherapy Alberta does not endorse a specific product or validate the information contained within each provider’s website.
Physiotherapy Alberta collects information from members for regulatory purposes. This includes determining eligibility for registration, maintaining the member register and implementing the investigation and discipline process. The information is also used to support activities that further Physiotherapy Alberta’s mandate to protect the public interest (e.g., workforce planning and research that promotes innovative, quality physiotherapist care). Physiotherapy Alberta keeps complete registration files for a minimum of 10 years following removal from the register.
Who do we share your information with?
Information on the Register of Members must be disclosed to the public upon request. This includes your name, registration number, registration status, conditions imposed on your practice permit, current or previous employment information (e.g., employer’s name and address), whether you are authorized to independently perform an advanced restricted activity, and conduct findings on record. Members of the public may access information on the register by contacting Physiotherapy Alberta directly or through our Public Registry.
Under the Health Professions Act, Physiotherapy Alberta is required by law to provide demographic, education and practice information to the Minister of Health and Wellness for health workforce planning purposes.
With expressed consent, Physiotherapy Alberta will share member contact information (i.e., name, address, phone, email) with researchers conducting a study that will further our mandate to protect the public interest by promoting innovative, quality physiotherapy care. The data may not be used for commercial purposes and can only be used once and not reproduced or passed on to others. Consent is granted using My Profile in the Member Portal.
Physiotherapy Alberta may disclose information that is summarized or in a 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 registration staff.
Who should you contact for more information?
Contact Physiotherapy Alberta’s privacy officer if you have questions about the collection, use and disclosure of your information. 780.438.0338 or info@physiotherapyalberta.ca.
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