A new Alberta Graduate:

1. Must submit a General Registration Application.

• 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.

Resources

• General Registration Application.
• General Application Checklist.
• College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Fee Schedule (under Operations Policies).
• AARE Information.

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.

Resources

• Provisional Registration Application.
• Provisional Registration Application Checklist.
• College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Fee Schedule (under Operations Policies).

Provisional Applicants applying to be General Applicants:

1. Must submit a Provisional to General Registration Application.

Resources

• Provisional to General Registration Application.
• College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Fee Schedule (under Operations Policies).

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

1. You are a registrant on the General Register; AND
2. You have completed 600 direct practice hours in the last 3 years; AND
3. You are current with all fees; AND
4. You are not under investigation or awaiting hearing or a decision in relation to a complaint or other disciplinary conduct; AND
5. You are not subject to any restrictions on your practice permit.

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

1. May submit a Non-practicing Application.

Non-practicing Registrant FAQS:

When 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 CAA provides the opportunity to apply become a non-practicing member for a period of no more than two years.

Applying to be on the non-practicing register greatly reduces your yearly renewal fee.

Resources

• Non-practicing Application.
• Non-Practicing Policy (under Regulatory Policies).
• College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Fee Schedule (under Operations Policies).

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.

Resources

• Return to Practice Application.
• Non-Practicing Policy (under Regulatory Policies).
• College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Fee Schedule (under Operations Policies).

Applicants that have been non-practicing for a period of two (2) or more years or have had their practice permit cancelled:

1. Must submit a Reinstatement Application.

Resources

• Reinstatement Application.
• Reinstatement Application Checklist.
• Return to Practice Policy (under Regulatory Policies).
• College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Fee Schedule (under Operations Policies).

Canadian applicants who are not registered in another jurisdiction and have not passed the Pan-Canadian Acupuncturist Examination:

1. Must register for and pass the Pan-Canadian Examination.
2. Must register for and pass the Alberta Acupuncturists Registration Examination (AARE).
3. Must submit a General Registration Application (after passing the Pan-Canadian and AARE).

Canadian applicants who are not registered in another jurisdiction and have passed the Pan-Canadian Acupuncturist Examination:

1. Must provide proof of passed Pan-Canadian Acupuncturist Examination.
2. Must register for and pass the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examination (AARE).
3. Must submit a General Registration Application (after passing the AARE exams).

Resources

• AARE Information.
• Member Portal Support – information on how to Create an Account and how to Submit an Examination Application.
• General Registration Application.
• General Registration Application Checklist.
• College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Fee Schedule (under Operations Policies).

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:

     2. Must obtain liability insurance.
     3. 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.
  • Credentials of acupuncture education.
  • 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.

It is strongly recommended that applicants submit a single application that includes all of the above documentation.

• What can you expect during the submission process?

Once an application has been submitted, the College will review it for completeness.

• • If the College finds that the application is incomplete or requires further information to reach a decision, the College will contact the applicant to advise them of any further requirements.
  • If an application is not completed within 3 months of the initial submission, it will be closed and a new application will be required.

Once the College receives a complete application for registration and applicable documents, the College will reach a decision within 30 days.

Once a decision is reached, the College will notify the applicant.

If an application is approved, the College requires that the applicant pay the pro-rated registration fee and provide proof of adequate insurance. At that point, a practice permit will be issued.

Resources

• LMA Registration Application.
• Application checklist.
• College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Fee Schedule (under Operations Policies).
• Acupuncturists Profession Regulation.
• Labour Mobility Act.

Internationally educated applicants:

1. Must complete and submit an Education Credential Assessment (see below for more information) for pre-approval prior to applying for the AARE.
2. Must register for and pass the Alberta Acupuncture Registration Examinations (AARE).
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).
• AARE Information.
• Member Portal Support – information on how to Create an Account and how to Submit an Examination Application.
• General Registration Application.
• General Registration Application Checklist.
• College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Fee Schedule (under Operations Policies).

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.

Resources

• Courtesy Registration Application.
• Courtesy Registration Application Checklist.
• College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Fee Schedule (under Operations Policies).