New Graduates or Practicing Internationally

The criteria you must meet to be registered on the Provincial Register.

1. Copy of your chiropractic transcript forwarded to the College by an accredited chiropractic college. If you are currently registered to practice in another Canadian jurisdiction, you are not required to submit your transcript but can if you wish.
2. Results of your Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) examinations forwarded to the College by the CCEB. If you are currently registered to practice in another Canadian jurisdiction, you are not required to submit your examinations but can if you wish.
3. If applicable, a letter of standing or a report on regulatory history, from each jurisdiction where you have practiced or currently practice chiropractic or any other health profession sent directly from each jurisdiction to the College. The letter must specify particulars of any cancellation, suspension, limitation or conditions on the applicant’s entitlement to practice, or any investigation, review or proceeding which could lead to cancellation, suspension, limitation or conditions on the applicant’s entitlement to practice.
4. A Canadian Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search through a local police agency or RCMP detachment
5. If applicable, a criminal record check from all non-Canadian jurisdiction(s) where you have lived, trained, or worked for 90 days or more within the last five years preceding your application or dating back to your 18^th This will be ordered for you once the application fee has been paid and you will receive an email from Sterling BackCheck.
6. Personally hold professional liability insurance/protectionin the amount of $5 million per claim and $5 million aggregate. All regulated members of the College must carry professional liability insurance/protection as a condition of registration. This means you must have an active, continuous insurance policy at all times, regardless of your role, employment environment, or employment status.
7. All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language to be able to safely and competently practice as a chiropractor. You may meet the language requirement in one of three ways:
   • Complete your Chiropractic Education in English.
   • Submit letters from previous employers confirming your ability to fluently communicate in English.
   • Pass an approved English language test by an CCOA-designated exam provider.

Before you apply ensure you have met the criteria, and have included or arranged for the specified documents to be sent to CCOA. Failure to include or arrange for these documents to be sent to CCOA could significantly delay the application process.
An application is only valid for 90 days from the date of submission.

Access the application

How we will manage your application file

Within 14 calendar days of CCOA receiving your application, you will receive an email acknowledging your application with confirmation of requirements received and requirements outstanding. 

Registration documents and emails from applicants and members are placed in a queue and are processed in the order that they are received. This includes criminal record checks, examination in jurisprudence and ethics 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 submissions are typically assessed by CCOA staff to ensure they meet the application requirements in providing a complete application. However, the Registrar may refer any matter to the Registration Committee to consider, and this will delay the application. 

After CCOA has received confirmation that your application fee payment has been made, CCOA will order your international criminal record check through Sterling Backcheck if required. You will receive an email from Sterling Backcheck to complete the criminal record check.

Decision on a complete application 

An application for registration is complete once all application requirements have been received. The Registrar or Registration Committee will make a registration decision within 28 calendar days of a complete application.

You will be provided a letter with the registration decision within 14 calendar days of the decision being made. Upon receipt of this letter, proof of professional liability protection (PLP) or insurance (PLI) of at least $5,000,000 per claim and $5,000,000 aggregate will be required. Request this to be sent from the insurance provider directly to CCOA (registration@theccoa.ca).  This can be with the CCPA or a provider of your choosing.

Upon receipt of your PLP/PLI, your registration dues will be posted to your Portal. Payment of these dues is the last step before being approved for a practice permit.

• Once approved, a practice permit is issued entitling you to practice as a chiropractor in Alberta.
• Your name will appear on the Practice Permit Verification section of the CCOA website. This enables 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.

An applicant whose application for registration is approved subject to conditions, or whose registration is deferred or whose application is refused may within 30 days after being given a copy of the decision, request a review by the Council in accordance with section 31(3) of the Health Professions Act.

A request for 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 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.

An invoice for the application fee is generated once the application is submitted. The invoice must be paid before the link for the jurisprudence exam link is sent and any international criminal record checks are ordered. The application fee is non-refundable. The charge for the international criminal record check will be billed to you once we receive the charge.

An application is valid for 90 days from the date of submission. Your file will be closed if your application expires.

The registration year is from July 1 to June 30. The dues are for a practice permit to June 30.

An invoice will be generated once the application is complete and a registration decision has been made for the dues. This must be paid before your practice permit will be activated.

Please see the fee schedule posted on the website for fees.

Fees paid to another party

Transcripts

Liability Insurance/Protection

Canadian Criminal Record Check

Timelines

The College of Chiropractors of Alberta (CCOA) is committed to protecting the privacy,

confidentiality, accuracy and security of members’ personal information collected and to use and retain it in the course of conducting our duties as a regulatory health profession. 

Visit Administrative Policies 3.3(a) for more information.

Registrants can access their information using the Portal. For any information that cannot be changed by the registrant (such clinic address, name, date of birth, owner and/or operator of laser and X-ray equipment), please send the information to registration@theccoa.ca and a CCOA staff member will update your profile.