On July 3, 2025, Council approved amendments to the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta’s Bylaws.
The amendments include important changes to requirements around professional liability insurance (Bylaws 14.7). Members have 1 year to comply with the new insurance requirements.
What changed
By July 15, 2026, your professional liability insurance policy must:
- Include coverage for disciplinary legal defense and expenses.
- Cover a minimum of $25,000 per claim for disciplinary legal defense and expenses.
- Have a minimum annual aggregate of $50,000 for disciplinary legal defense and expenses.
You must still have a minimum of $2,000,000 of total coverage in your own name.
Who this impacts
All acupuncturists must comply with the updated insurance requirements.
Deadline for current acupuncturists
July 15, 2026.
All acupuncturists must submit proof of insurance on or before July 15, 2026, at 4:30 PM MDT. This deadline provides all currently registered acupuncturists with 1 year to comply with the updated insurance requirements.
When renewal opens in February 2026, current registrants may renew with insurance that satisfies the old requirements. However, renewal is a great time to review your insurance and make necessary changes. The College encourages all acupuncturists to secure the required insurance as soon as possible.
Deadline for first-time registrants
From September 1, 2025, onward all new acupuncturists who register with the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta for the first time must comply with the new insurance requirements.
First-time applications received on or after September 1, 2025, that do not comply with the new insurance requirements will be rejected.
What to submit
Acceptable proof of insurance includes a copy of the insurance policy or policy certificate.
A payment receipt is not proof of insurance.
How to submit
Upload valid proof of insurance via your member portal on the College’s website.
Compliance
Failure to submit valid proof of insurance by 4:30 PM MDT on July 15, 2026, will result in immediate suspension.
Who to contact for questions
Please contact your insurance company directly or your association for information about appropriate insurance policies.
The College cannot advise or make recommendations about specific insurance policies or providers.
Why insurance requirements changed
The change is in response to a 2023 report released by the Public Health Emergencies Governance Review Panel. In recommendation 8.7, the report noted many regulated health professionals do not have adequate insurance coverage to properly respond if faced with a complaint. Lack of financial resources may prevent members from fully engaging in the complaint and disciplinary process.
In response to the report, the Government of Alberta recently directed all regulatory health colleges to review their bylaws and insurance requirements and consider making the necessary amendments to implement the report’s recommendation.