A new Alberta Graduate:

1. Must apply to take the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examinations (AARE) through their Member Portal.
2. Must pass the AARE. These exams are offered twice a year. 
3. Must submit a General Registration Application after passing the AARE.

• Note: An official transcript AND a diploma from an approved acupuncture program is required for registration.
• • If you are a current student who has passed the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examination (AARE) and submitted a registration application, your application will not be reviewed until all documents are received.

You can apply to be a Provisional Registrant if:

1. Within the 3-year period preceding the date of your application, you obtained a diploma from a program in acupuncture from a program approved by the Council (approved schools); AND
2. You are not yet eligible to be a Registered Acupuncturist because you have not completed your exams; AND
3. You are registered for the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examination (AARE).

Applicants that wish to apply for a Provisional Registration:

1. 1. Must submit a Provisional Registration Application.

Provisional Registrant FAQs:

• How long is a Provisional Registration valid?

A Provisional Registration is valid for one year. This means you have one year to complete your exams (unless extended by the Registrar) and become a member of the General Register.

• Can I practice acupuncture as a Provisional Registrant?

A Provisional Registrant is able to practice acupuncture, but must do so with a supervisor. 

• What else do I need to know about being a Provisional Registrant?

You are responsible for finding a supervisor and must have a supervisor at all times while you are a Provisional Registrant.

Provisional Applicants applying to be General Applicants:

1. Must submit a Provisional to General Registration Application.

You can apply to be a Non-practicing Registrant if:

1. You are a registrant on the General Register; AND
2. You are current with all fees; AND
3. You are not under investigation or awaiting hearing or a decision in relation to a complaint or other disciplinary conduct; AND
4. You are not subject to any restrictions or conditions on your practice permit.

Please note that currency-in-practice requirements must continue to be met once a non-practicing registrant returns to the general register.

Regulated members who have changed to non-practicing status must complete any outstanding CCP requirements for the year they were last registered and all mandatory College-directed activities during the non-practicing period before they return to General register.

Applicants that wish to take a break from their practice for under 2 years:

1. Must submit a Non-practicing Application.

Non-practicing Registrant FAQS:

Under what circumstances should I submit a non-practicing application?

There may be times in your career that you choose to take a break from your practice.  This could include a parental leave, travel, or illness. The College provides the opportunity to apply become a non-practicing member for a period of no more than two years.

What is considered a non-practicing year?

If you change you apply to change your status to non-practicing at any point during the registration year, the entire year is considered your first non-practicing year and you can only remain non-practicing for one more registration year. Changing your status during the renewal period (February 1-March 31) will allow you to stay on the non-practicing register for a full two years.

What is the effect on renewal fees if I am a non-practicing registrant? 

Applying to be on the non-practicing register greatly reduces your yearly renewal fee (see the fee schedule linked above).

Applicants that have been on the Non-practicing Register for a period of less than two years that wish to return to the General Register:

1. Must submit a Return to Practice Application.

Regulated members who have changed to non-practicing status must complete any outstanding CCP requirements for the year they were last registered and all mandatory College-directed activities during the non-practicing period before they return to General register.

Resources

• Non-Practicing Policy (under Regulatory Policies).

Applicants that have had their practice permit cancelled:

1. Must submit a Reinstatement Application.

Requirements to reinstate a licence

*Only credits obtained from a formal program (e.g. courses, seminars, workshops, etc.) are accepted.

Canadian applicants who are not registered in another jurisdiction:

1. Must submit their diploma and official transcript to [email protected] for credential assessment. 
2. Must register for and pass the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examinations (AARE) following approval of their credential assessment.  These exams are offered twice a year. Exam results are valid for three years.
3. Must submit a General Registration Application (after passing the Pan-Canadian and AARE).

If you are a current registrant in BC, Newfoundland, Ontario, or Quebec, you can apply to be a registrant in Alberta under Alberta’s Labour Mobility Act (LMA).

Current British Columbia, Newfoundland, Ontario, and Quebec Registrants:

1. Must submit an LMA Registration Application.

After being evaluated and approved by the College, the applicant:

1.  Must pay a pro-rated registration fee based on the quarter they are registering in. The College’s registration cycle is April 1-March 31 of the following year.

LMA Application FAQs:

• What documents are required for an LMA Application?

The documents the College requires to evaluate and approve an applicant are identified in the Labour Mobility Act as well as the Acupuncturists Profession Regulation. The application checklist below provides detailed information on what these requirements are. A brief summary is provided below:

• • A completed LMA Application.
  • 2 pieces of identification.
  • Proof of Canadian citizenship or a work permit.
  • Sexual abuse and sexual misconduct training.
  • 1^st aid and CPR certification.
  • English language proficiency.
  • Letter of standing from current regulatory authority.
  • A criminal record and vulnerable sector check.
  • A non-refundable fee of $300.

Resources

• Acupuncturists Profession Regulation.

Internationally educated applicants:

1. Must submit an Education Credential Assessment (see below for more information), official transcripts and diploma to [email protected] for credential assessment.
2. Must register for and pass the Alberta Acupuncture Registration Examinations (AARE) following approval of their credential assessment. These exams are offered twice a year. Exam results are valid for three years.
3. Must submit a General Registration Application (after completing the Education Credential Assessment and passing the AARE).

Education Qualification Assessment FAQs:

• Why is an assessment required?

The assessment report ensures the education credentials are authentic and verifiable, and allows for the College to compare your credentials to the Alberta equivalent.

• Where does the College accept assessments from?

There are two acceptable education credential assessment services:

1. 1. International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
   2. World Education Services (WES)

• Which types of assessments does the College accept?

There are two acceptable types of assessments:

• • A basic assessment.
  • A document-by-document evaluation.

• Where do I send the assessment?

The completed assessment can be submitted in the following ways:

• • It can be forwarded directly to the College from the assessment service organization.
  • It can be submitted by the applicant by regular mail.
  • It can be submitted by the applicant by email ([email protected]). 

• What else do I need to know about the assessment?
  • Your application must be completed within one year of your assessment.
  • Any costs associated with obtaining the required assessment results are the responsibility of the applicant.

Once you have your assessment complete, you can set up a Member Portal account and submit an examination application.

Resources

• Illustration of registration process.
• Acceptable education credential assessment services:
  • International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS).
  • World Education Services (WES).

You can apply to be a Courtesy Registrant if:

1. You are an acupuncturist in good standing in another jurisdiction with substantially equivalent competencies and practice requirements; AND
2. Your registration is on a temporary basis and for a specified purpose; AND
3. Your registration on the Courtesy Register will not exceed 6 months.

Applicants that wish to apply for the Courtesy Register:

1. Must submit a Courtesy Register Application.
2. Must remain registered in another jurisdiction while they are on the Courtesy Register; AND
3. Must remain in good standing in the other jurisdiction they are registered in while on the Courtesy Register.

If the member’s registration is suspended or cancelled in the other jurisdiction, the courtesy registration is immediately cancelled within Alberta.