Application Information

All applications must be submitted on our Member Portal. Support for signing up for the member portal as well as how to fill out the application forms can be found on our Member Portal Support page.

Fees for each application type can be found in the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Fee Schedule (under Operations Policies).

A list of application requirements can be found at the bottom of this page.

Application types may require the following forms or training (according to application requirements as below):

What to 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 20 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. At that point, a practice permit will be issued.

For further information, our Registration Policy and Procedure can be found in the Regulatory Policies section on our website.

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.

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. Must submit a Provisional Registration Application.
    2. Must submit a Supervision Agreement Form.

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

Applicants that have had their practice permit cancelled:

  1. Must submit a Reinstatement Application.

Requirements to reinstate a licence

Unregistered TimeframeRequirements
<2 Years– Complete any outstanding CCP requirements for the year they were last registered.
– Complete all mandatory College-directed activities during the cancelled period.
2 to <5 Years– Complete jurisprudence examination.
– Complete all mandatory College-directed activities from previous unregistered years.
– If proof of currency in practice is provided, obtain 15 continuing competence program (CCP) credits*.
– If not current in practice, obtain 20 continuing competence program (CCP) credits* for each previous unregistered year; and successfully complete the Safety, Modalities, and Acupuncture Points Exam.
5 to 10 Years– Complete all mandatory College-directed activities for the past 5 years.
– If proof of currency in practice is provided, obtain 15 continuing competence program (CCP) credits*.
– If not current in practice, obtain 20 self-selected continuing competence program (CCP) credits* for each previous unregistered year; and successfully complete all components of the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examinations.
More than 10 Years– Complete 500 supervised practice hours.
– Complete all components of the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examinations.

*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 register for the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examinations (AARE). 
  2. Must pass the AARE. These exams are offered twice a year. Exam results are valid for three years.
  3. Must submit a General Registration Application (after passing the 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.
    • 1st 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

Internationally educated applicants:

  1. Must register for and pass the Alberta Acupuncture Registration Examinations (AARE). These exams are offered twice a year. Exam results are valid for three years.
  2. Must upload an Educational Credential Assessment (see below for more information), for supporting documentation within the examination application.
  3. Must submit a General Registration Application (after passing the AARE).

Educational 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?

You must obtain your educational credential assessment from a designated organization.

 Information on acceptable organizations can be found on the Government of Canada website using the following link: Educational credential assessment (ECA) for Express Entry: How to get one for Express Entry – Canada.ca

  • 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.
    • Uploaded to your online exam application.
  • What else do I need to know about the assessment?
    • Any costs associated with obtaining the required assessment results are the responsibility of the applicant.

Resources

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.

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