Applications – College of Acupuncturists of Alberta

Registration guide

For a comprehensive walkthrough of how to register with the College, read the registration guide.

Registration Guide A complete overview of the registration process. Download

How to submit an application

All applications must be submitted on the Member Portal. Refer to Member Portal Support for help signing up and filling out application forms.

Depending on your application type, you may also need to submit the following:

Letter of standing — if you are registered with other regulated health professions
Character and reputation reference form
Sexual abuse and misconduct training

Fees

Fees for each application type are listed in the College Fee Schedule, available under Governance Documents.

College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Fee Schedule Find fees for all application and registration types. Download

Application requirements

Requirements vary by application type. Use the application type finder below to see the specific requirements for your situation, or download the relevant checklist.

Not sure which type applies to you? Read the Registration Guide for a full overview, then use the finder below.

Timelines

The College reviews all applications for completeness. If an application is not completed within 3 months of the initial submission, it will be closed and a new application will be required.

The College reaches a decision on complete applications within 20 days. Once a decision is reached, the College notifies the applicant.

If an application is approved, the College requires the applicant to pay the pro-rated registration fee. At that point, a practice permit is issued.

For further information refer to the Registration Policy and Registration Procedure.

Find my application type

Select your situation below to see the specific requirements, steps, and resources for your application.

I am applying as a:

New Alberta graduates

New Graduates Registration Requirements Checklist Download

Requirements

Requirement	Details
Application & fee	Required
Identification	2 pieces required
Proof of citizenship or work permit	Required
Credentials of acupuncture education	Official transcript AND diploma from an approved program
Criminal & vulnerable sector check	Required
2 references	Required
First aid & CPR	Required
Sexual abuse & misconduct training	Required
Letter of standing	If currently or previously registered in another jurisdiction
Professional liability insurance	Required
Examinations (AARE)	Must pass before applying
Currency in practice	Diploma obtained in past 3 years
Fitness to practice	Required
English language requirements	Required

Steps

Apply to take the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examinations (AARE) through the Member Portal.
Pass the AARE. These exams are offered twice a year.
Submit a General Registration Application after passing the AARE.

An official transcript AND a diploma from an approved acupuncture program are required. If you are a current student who has passed the AARE and submitted a registration application, your application will not be reviewed until all documents are received.

Provisional applicants

Provisional Registration Requirements Checklist Download

Eligibility

You can apply to be a Provisional Registrant if, within the 3-year period preceding your application you:

Obtained a diploma from a Council-approved acupuncture program; AND
Are not yet eligible to be a Registered Acupuncturist because you have not completed your exams; AND
Are registered for the AARE.

Requirements

Requirement	Details
Application & fee	Required
Identification	2 pieces required
Proof of citizenship or work permit	Required
Credentials of acupuncture education	Required
Criminal & vulnerable sector check	Required
2 references	Required
First aid & CPR	Required
Sexual abuse & misconduct training	Required
Letter of standing	If currently or previously registered in another jurisdiction
Professional liability insurance	Required
Examinations (AARE)	Must be registered for AARE
Supervision Agreement Form	Required
Currency in practice	Diploma obtained in past 3 years
Fitness to practice	Required
English language requirements	Required

Steps

Submit a Provisional Registration Application.
Submit a Supervision Agreement Form.

How long is a Provisional Registration valid?

A Provisional Registration is valid for one year. 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 to general

Provisional Applicants applying to be General Applicants must submit a Provisional to General Registration Application through the Member Portal.

Non-practicing registrants

Eligibility

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

You are a registrant on the General Register; AND
You are current with all fees; AND
You are not under investigation or awaiting a hearing or decision relating to a complaint; AND
You are not subject to any restrictions or conditions on your practice permit.

Note: Currency-in-practice requirements must continue to be met once a non-practicing registrant returns to the general register. You must complete any outstanding CCP requirements for the year you were last registered and all mandatory College-directed activities during the non-practicing period before returning.

Steps

Submit a Non-practicing Application through the Member Portal.

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, such as parental leave, travel, or illness. The College provides the opportunity to apply to become a non-practicing member for a period of no more than 2 years.

What is considered a non-practicing year?

If you 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 2 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. Refer to the fee schedule for details.

Return to practice

Applicants who have been on the Non-practicing Register for less than two years and wish to return to the General Register must submit a Return to Practice Application through the Member Portal.

Note: You must complete any outstanding CCP requirements for the year you were last registered and all mandatory College-directed activities during the non-practicing period before returning to the General Register.

Reinstatement

Reinstatement Registration Requirements Checklist Download

Application requirements

Requirement	Details
Application & fee	Required
Identification	2 pieces required
Proof of citizenship or work permit	Required
Credentials of acupuncture education	Required
Criminal & vulnerable sector check	Required
2 references	Required
First aid & CPR	Required
Sexual abuse & misconduct training	Required
Letter of standing	If currently or previously registered in another jurisdiction
Professional liability insurance	Required
Examinations (AARE)	If applicable
Jurisprudence examination	If applicable
Currency in practice	Meet the requirements that match how long you've been unregistered.
Fitness to practice	Required
English language requirements	Required

Currency in practice requirements

Unregistered timeframe	Requirements
Less than 2 years	Complete any outstanding CCP requirements for the last year of registration.
2 to less than 5 years	Pass the jurisprudence examination. Obtain 15 CCP credits from a formal program. Complete all mandatory College-directed activities during unregistered years.
5 to 10 years	Pass the jurisprudence examination and safety module. Obtain 30 CCP credits from a formal program. Complete all mandatory College-directed activities for the past five years.
More than 10 years	Pass all components of the AARE. Complete supervised patient treatments as follow: 5 years or less of previous experience: 40 supervised patient treatments 5–10 years of previous experience: 30 supervised patient treatments 10 years or more of previous experience: 20 supervised patient treatments

Only credits earned through formal programs (courses, seminars, workshops) that align with the Alberta Competency Standard will be accepted. Alternate practice experience may be considered at the discretion of the Registrar.

Canadian graduates outside Alberta

Canadian-Educated Applicants Registration Checklist Download

Requirements

These application requirements apply to applicants who have received substantially equivalent education and have never been registered in another Canadian jurisdiction.

Requirement	Details
Application & fee	Required
Identification	2 pieces required
Proof of citizenship or work permit	Required
Credentials of acupuncture education	Diploma and transcripts required
Criminal & vulnerable sector check	Required
2 references	Required
First aid & CPR	Required
Sexual abuse & misconduct training	Required
Letter of standing	If currently or previously registered in another jurisdiction
Professional liability insurance	Required
Examinations (AARE)	Must pass before applying. Results valid for 3 years.
Currency in practice	Required, see checklist
Fitness to practice	Required
English language requirements	Required

Steps

Register for the AARE.
Pass the AARE. These exams are offered twice a year. Exam results are valid for three years.
Submit a General Registration Application after passing the AARE.

Labour mobility (BC, ON, QC, PEI, NL)

Labour Mobility Registration Checklist Download

Eligibility

If you are currently a registered acupuncturist in British Colombia, Ontario, Quebec, PEI, or Newfoundland, you can apply for registration in Alberta under Alberta's Labour Mobility Act (LMA).

Requirements

Requirement	Details
Application & fee	Required
Identification	2 pieces required
Proof of citizenship or work permit	Required
Criminal & vulnerable sector check	Required
First aid & CPR	Required
Sexual abuse & misconduct training	Required
Letter of standing	From current regulatory authority
Professional liability insurance	Required
Jurisprudence examination	Required
Currency in practice	Required
Fitness to practice	Required
English language requirements	Required

Steps

To apply as an LMA applicant:

Submit an LMA Registration Application.
After evaluation and approval, pay a pro-rated registration fee based on the quarter you are registering in. The College's registration cycle is April 1–March 31.

International graduates

Internationally Educated Applicants Registration Checklist Download

Requirements

Requirement	Details
Application & fee	Required
Identification	2 pieces required
Proof of citizenship or work permit	Required
Credentials of acupuncture education	Required
Education credential assessment	Required — must indicate minimum 3 years of training
Criminal & vulnerable sector check	Required
2 references	Required
First aid & CPR	Required
Sexual abuse & misconduct training	Required
Letter of standing	If currently or previously registered in another jurisdiction
Professional liability insurance	Required
Examinations (AARE)	Must pass before applying. Results valid for 3 years.
Currency in practice	Required
Fitness to practice	Required
English language requirements	Required

Steps

Register for and pass the AARE. Offered twice a year; results valid for three years.
Upload an Educational Credential Assessment with your examination application.
Submit a General Registration Application after passing the AARE.

Why is an educational credential assessment required?

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

Where does the College accept educational credential assessments from?

You must obtain your assessment from a designated organization listed on the Government of Canada website.

Which types of educational credential assessments does the College accept?

A basic assessment
A document-by-document evaluation

Where do I send the educational credential assessment?

The completed assessment can be forwarded directly to the College from the assessment service organization, or uploaded to your online exam application.

Who pays for the educational credential assessment?

Any costs associated with obtaining the required assessment results are the responsibility of the applicant.

Courtesy registrants

Courtesy Registration Requirements Checklist Download

Eligibility

You can apply to be a Courtesy Registrant if:

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

Requirements

Requirement	Details
Application & fee	Required
Identification	2 pieces required
Proof of citizenship or work permit	Required
Credentials of acupuncture education	Required for graduates outside Alberta only
First aid & CPR	Required (clinical only)
Criminal & vulnerable sector check	Required (clinical only)
2 references	Required (clinical only)
Sexual abuse & misconduct training	Required (clinical only)
Letter of standing	Required (clinical only)
Professional liability insurance	Required (clinical only)
Jurisprudence examination	Required (clinical only)
Currency in practice	Required
Fitness to practice	Required
English language requirements	Required

Steps

Submit a Courtesy Register Application.
Remain registered and in good standing in your other jurisdiction while on the Courtesy Register.

Important: If your registration is suspended or cancelled in the other jurisdiction, your courtesy registration is immediately cancelled within Alberta.