Registration for those practicing internationally

To apply for registration, you must submit a completed application form with the required documentation. Please refer to the checklist in the application to ensure all required documents are submitted by the correct party.

Documents you send directly to the CCOA:

• A complete and notarized application.
• Proof of eligibility to work in Canada documentation.
• Fees (A fee assessment will be provided to the email address on your application after you submit your application).

You may send your complete notarized application and documents to the CCOA either by mail or in-person. 
Please take a few minutes to review your application and supporting documents to ensure they are complete and legible before submitting. Having to resubmit documents may delay the application process.

Documents sent by others to the CCOA:

• Official transcripts from your CCEI-accredited school
• CCEB results
  • A criminal record check completed by Sterling Backcheck from every country you have lived for 90 days or more within 5 years of this application. A criminal record check is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You will be issued a link to complete this requirement during the application process.
  • A report on regulatory history from each jurisdiction where you were registered, licensed, or practiced as a regulated professional (e.g., nurse, acupuncturist, teacher, etc.) A report on regulatory history is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
• English language proficiency: Applicable only to applicants who obtained their chiropractic degree from a non-English instructed program. A language test from an CCOA-designated testing provider may be required. The language test is valid for two years from the date of issue.

What to expect after you apply

Within five business days of the CCOA receiving your application, you will receive an email with instructions for accessing your online members’ centre to pay your application fees. 
Registration documents and emails from all applicants and members are placed in a queue and are processed in the order that they are received. This includes criminal record checks, jurisprudence exam results, reports on regulatory history, and any resubmitted documents. Most documents will be processed within five business days. However, processing times may vary depending on the time of the year and processing volumes. 
Application files are typically assessed by CCOA staff; however, the Registrar may refer any matter to the CCOA Registration Committee for consideration and this may delay the application process. After the CCOA has received confirmation that your application fee payment has been made, you will receive an email within five business days with instructions for accessing the online CCOA jurisprudence exam.

What to expect when your application file is complete

Unless there are extenuating circumstances, once all registration requirements have been reviewed and cleared, the CCOA may have your application approved within five business days. Once approved, you will be issued a practice permit entitling you to practice as a licensed chiropractor in Alberta. Your name will appear on the member register, enabling the public to verify your registration status. 

Please be aware, applications may be deferred, refused, or imposed with conditions if it is in the best interest of the public. Decisions or actions taken by the College of Chiropractors of Alberta can be reviewed by the provincial Ombudsman in accordance with the Ombudsman Act.

To check the status of your application, please email registration@theccoa.ca. Please note it can take three to five business days to respond to email communications.

Application costs

Please refer to the CCOA Fee Schedule.

If your application for registration is accepted subject to conditions, deferred, or is refused by the Registrar or Registration Committee you will be allowed to submit an appeal request to the CCOA council within 30 days of your registration decision.

A request for a review must:

• be in writing;
• set out the reasons why the application for registration should be approved with or without conditions; and
• be given to the Registrar, who must give a copy of the request to the CCOA council.

After the Registrar receives the request, the Registrar will notify the applicant within 30 days of the date, time, and place at which the council will conduct the review. 

Use of member personal information (as per CCOA Administrative Policy 3.3(a)) The CCOA retains member personal information to conduct organizational business, such as:

• Maintaining a complete record of membership in the CCOA.
• Maintaining individual and collective communication with members and respond to their inquiries.
• Collecting and managing member dues and assessments.
• Providing information to the public.
• Communicating about issues of interest and concern to our membership (newsletters, Council communiques, member notices, etc.).
• Recruiting volunteers.
• Contacting members to assist in association activities (e.g. media interviews, presentations, tradeshows).
• Contacting members as subject matter experts.
• Providing information to government and to the public as set out in the Health Professions Act.

Disclosure of applicant/member information

The CCOA shares member’s personal information for the purposes of activating and maintaining your practice permit, including but not limited to:

• the Canadian Chiropractic Protection Association (CCPA)

Disclosure of social media and websites

The CCOA actively monitors and enforces an advertising directive. Successful applicants will be required to provide to the CCOA the URLs for social media accounts and websites attached to their practice or professional profile. Successful applicants will provide this information through their online members’ centre portal within the first 10 business days of practice.