Physicians, Surgeons, Osteopaths and Physician Assistants Profession Regulation

(Consolidated up to 201/2025) ALBERTA REGULATION 200/2020 Health Professions Act PHYSICIANS, SURGEONS, OSTEOPATHS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS PROFESSION REGULATION Table of Contents 1 Definitions 2 Register categories Registration 3 General registers 4 Equivalent jurisdiction 5 Substantial equivalence 6 Provisional registers 7 Sponsorship agreement 8 Physicians, surgeons and osteopaths, limited practice register 9 Courtesy registers 10 Emergency registers 11 Telemedicine registers 12 Student registers Titles, Abbreviations and Initials 17 Authorization to use titles Practice Permit Renewal Requirements 31 Applying for renewal Transitional Provision, Repeal and Coming into Force 45 Transitional 46 Repeal 47 Coming into force Definitions 1 In this Regulation, (a) “Act” means the Health Professions Act ; (b) repealed AR 51/2023 s2; (c) “College” means the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta; (d), (e) repealed AR 51/2023 s2; (f) “Council” means the council of the College; (g) “courtesy register” means the courtesy register category of the regulated members register (i) for physicians, surgeons and osteopaths referred to in section 2(a)(iv), or (ii) for physician assistants referred to in section 2(b)(iii); (h) “emergency register” means the emergency register category of the regulated members register (i) for physicians, surgeons and osteopaths referred to in section 2(a)(v), or (ii) for physician assistants referred to in section 2(b)(iv); (i) “general register” means the general register category of the regulated members register (i) for physicians, surgeons and osteopaths referred to in section 2(a)(i), or (ii) for physician assistants referred to in section 2(b)(i); (j) “independent practice in Alberta” means the practice of a physician, surgeon or osteopath (i) who is registered on the general register, provisional register, emergency register, courtesy register or telemedicine register, and (ii) whose practice permit is not subject to any condition to practice under supervision generally or in any area of the practice of the physician, surgeon or osteopath; (k) “physicians, surgeons and osteopaths limited practice register” means the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths limited practice register category of the regulated members register for physicians, surgeons and osteopaths referred to in section 2(a)(iii); (l) “provisional register” means the provisional register category of the regulated members register (i) for physicians, surgeons and osteopaths referred to in section 2(a)(ii), or (ii) for physician assistants referred to in section 2(b)(ii); (m) “Registrar” means the registrar of the College; (m.1) “Registration Committee” means the registration committee of the College; (n) “scope of practice” means the range of clinical skills and procedures that a physician, surgeon or osteopath is competent to perform based on their training and practice experience; (o) “sponsor” means the sponsor identified in a sponsorship agreement; (p) “sponsorship agreement” means an agreement referred to in section 7; (q) repealed AR 51/2023 s2; (r) “student register” means the student register category of the regulated members register (i) for physicians, surgeons and osteopaths referred to in section 2(a)(vii), or (ii) for physician assistants referred to in section 2(b)(vi); (s) “telemedicine register” means the telemedicine register category of the regulated members register (i) for physicians, surgeons and osteopaths referred to in section 2(a)(vi), or (ii) for physician assistants referred to in section 2(b)(v). AR 200/2020 s1;51/2023 Register categories 2 The regulated members register established by the Council under section 33(1)(a) of the Act has the following categories: (a) for the registration of physicians, surgeons and osteopaths, (i) the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths general register, (ii) the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths provisional register, (iii) the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths limited practice register, (iv) the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths courtesy register, (v) the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths emergency register, (vi) the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths telemedicine register, and (vii) the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths student register; (b) for the registration of physician assistants, (i) the physician assistants general register, (ii) the physician assistants provisional register, (iii) the physician assistants courtesy register, (iv) the physician assistants emergency register, (v) the physician assistants telemedicine register, and (vi) the physician assistants student register. Registration General registers 3 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths general register must (a) have received a medical or an osteopathic medical degree from a program approved by the Council, (b) have successfully completed post‑graduate medical training approved by the Council, and (c) have successfully completed the registration examination approved by the Council. (2) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the physician assistants general register must (a) have graduated from a program of studies for physician assistants approved by the Council, and (b) have successfully completed a registration examination approved by the Council. (3) An applicant must have completed the requirements set out in subsection (1) or (2) within the 3 years immediately preceding the date the Registrar receives a complete application. (4) If an applicant is unable to meet the requirements set out in subsection (3), the applicant must (a) within the 3 years immediately preceding the date the Registrar receives the complete application, have been registered in good standing and carried on an active practice in a jurisdiction that regulates the practice of medicine, osteopathy or physician assisting, whichever applies, or (b) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Registrar that the applicant is currently competent to practise medicine, osteopathy or physician assisting, whichever applies. (5) For the purposes of subsection (4)(b), the Registrar may require an applicant to undergo any examination, testing, assessment, training or education that the Registrar considers necessary. Equivalent jurisdiction 4 An applicant for registration as a regulated member on a general register may be registered if the applicant (a) is currently registered as a physician, surgeon, osteopath or physician assistant in another jurisdiction recognized by the Council under section 28(2)(b) of the Act as having substantially equivalent registration requirements to the registration requirements set out in section 3, and (b) is in good standing in that jurisdiction. Substantial equivalence 5 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on a general register who does not meet the registration requirements under section 3 but whose qualifications have been determined by the Registrar under section 28(2)(c) of the Act to be substantially equivalent to the registration requirements under section 3 may be registered on the appropriate general register. (2) In determining whether an applicant’s qualifications are substantially equivalent under subsection (1), the Registrar may require the applicant to undergo any examination, testing or assessment activity the Registrar considers necessary. (3) For a determination under subsection (2), the Registrar may use the services of experts and other resources to assist with the examination, testing or assessment activity. (4) The Registrar may require an applicant to pay all the costs incurred under subsections (2) and (3). (5) The Registrar may require an applicant under subsection (1) to undergo any education or training activities the Registrar considers necessary in order for the applicant to be registered. (6) The Registrar may require an applicant under subsection (1) to provide any other relevant information or evidence that the Registrar considers necessary in order to assess an application under this section. Provisional registers 6 (1) Subject to subsection (3), an applicant for registration as a regulated member may be registered on the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths provisional register if the applicant has successfully completed all the requirements for the granting of a medical or an osteopathic medical degree from a medical program approved by the Council and the applicant (a) has not passed the registration examination approved by the Council, (b) is enrolled in a program of post-graduate medical training in Alberta approved by the Council, (c) is undergoing an assessment of qualifications for the purpose of determining substantial equivalency under section 5, or (d) is engaged in education or training activities for the purpose of registration under section 5. (2) Subject to subsection (3), an applicant for registration as a regulated member may be registered on the physician assistants provisional register if the applicant has complied with section 3(2)(a) and the applicant (a) has not passed the registration examination referred to in section 3(2)(b), (b) is undergoing an assessment of qualifications for the purpose of determining substantial equivalency under section 5, or (c) is engaged in education or training activities for the purpose of registration under section 5. (3) Every regulated member registered on a provisional register must practise in accordance with the conditions specified by the Registrar. (4) The conditions that the Registrar may specify under subsection (3) include, but are not limited to, conditions that the regulated member (a) practise under the supervision of another regulated member, (b) practise only within a specified scope of practice, (c) practise only within a specified practice setting or program, (d) practise only within a specified practice location, (e) complete specified training or examinations within a specified time limit, and (f) obtain a sponsorship agreement in accordance with section 7 and maintain that sponsorship while this condition is in effect. (5) A registration on a provisional register is valid, (a) in the case of a registration on the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths provisional register, for 6 years, and (b) in the case of a registration on the physician assistants provisional register, for 3 years. (6) Despite subsection (5), the Registrar may, if the Registrar is of the opinion that extenuating circumstances exist, extend a registration on a provisional register for an additional period that the Registrar considers appropriate. (7) If a regulated member registered on a provisional register meets the registration requirements set out in section 3, the Registrar must remove the regulated member’s name from the provisional register and enter it on the appropriate general register. Sponsorship agreement 7 A sponsorship agreement referred to in section 6(4)(f) must satisfy the Registrar as to the following: (a) the agreement is between a regulated member and (i) Alberta Health Services, (i.1) Alberta Health Services Provincial Health Corporation, (i.2) a provincial health agency, or (ii) another sponsor approved by the Council; (b) the member’s engagement is in alignment with the requirements of the health care system; (c) appropriate organizational supports will be available to the member; (d) a physician registered in independent practice in Alberta will provide appropriate supervision to the member. AR 200/2020 s7;201/2025 Physicians, surgeons and osteopaths, limited practice register 8 (1) Subject to subsection (2), an applicant for registration as a regulated member who is not eligible for registration on the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths general register may be registered on the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths limited practice register if the applicant (a) has successfully completed all the requirements for the granting of a medical or an osteopathic medical degree from a medical program approved by the Council, (b) to the satisfaction of the Registrar (i) has completed the relevant post‑graduate medical training for the limited professional services that the applicant will be providing, and (ii) has the necessary combination of experience, practice or other qualifications and competencies, and (c) provides limited professional services within a service or program approved by the Council as a clinical assistant or surgical assistant or as an assistant in medical administration, medical education or medical research. (2) Every regulated member registered on the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths limited practice register must practise in accordance with the conditions specified by the Registrar. (3) The conditions that the Registrar may specify under subsection (2) include, but are not limited to, conditions that the regulated member (a) practise under the supervision of a regulated member who is a physician, surgeon or osteopath, (b) practise only within a specified scope of practice, (c) practise only within a specified practice setting or program, and (d) practise only within a specified practice location. Courtesy registers 9 (1) An applicant who is registered as a physician, surgeon or osteopath in good standing in another jurisdiction who applies for registration in Alberta on a temporary basis for a specified purpose approved by the Registrar and who (a) provides the name and contact information of the physician, surgeon or osteopath registered in independent practice in Alberta who will support the application and provide the confirmation required under subsection (3), and (b) satisfies the Registrar of the applicant’s competence to provide the services related to the specified purpose may be registered on the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths courtesy register for a period of time specified by the Registrar. (2) An applicant who is registered as a physician assistant in good standing in another jurisdiction who applies for registration in Alberta on a temporary basis for a specified purpose approved by the Registrar and who (a) either (i) provides the name and contact information of the physician, surgeon or osteopath registered in independent practice in Alberta who will support the application and provide the confirmation required under subsection (3), or (ii) provides confirmation from Alberta Health Services, Alberta Health Services Provincial Health Corporation or a provincial health agency that Alberta Health Services, Alberta Health Services Provincial Health Corporation or the provincial health agency, as applicable, will support the application, and (b) satisfies the Registrar of the supervisor’s and applicant’s competence to provide the services related to the specified purpose may be registered on the physician assistants courtesy register for a period of time specified by the Registrar. (3) A physician, surgeon or osteopath referred to (a) in subsection (1)(a) must provide to the Registrar, in writing, a confirmation of the purpose for which the applicant is applying for courtesy registration, and (b) in subsection (2)(a)(i) must provide to the Registrar, in writing, (i) a confirmation of the purpose for which the applicant is applying for courtesy registration, and (ii) the name and contact information of the physician who will supervise the physician assistant’s practice. (4) When the Registrar registers a person on a courtesy register, the Registrar must identify on the register any title that the regulated member may use while registered on that courtesy register. (5) It is a condition of registration on a courtesy register that the person must remain registered in good standing in at least one other jurisdiction in which the person was registered at the time of the person’s application for registration on that courtesy register. (6) If subsection (5) is not complied with, the courtesy registration is cancelled. AR 200/2020 s9;201/2025 Emergency registers 10 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths emergency register must satisfy the Registrar that the applicant is registered in good standing and entitled to practise medicine or osteopathy in another jurisdiction in Canada or in the United States of America. (2) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the physician assistants emergency register must satisfy the Registrar that the applicant is registered in good standing or otherwise regulated and entitled to practise as a physician assistant in another jurisdiction in Canada or in the United States of America. (3) A registration on an emergency register is valid for the period of time that may be required to address an emergency, as determined by the Registrar. (4) It is a condition of registration on an emergency register that the person must remain registered in good standing in the jurisdiction in which the person was registered at the time of the person’s application for registration on the emergency register, and if the registration in the other jurisdiction is suspended or cancelled, the emergency registration is cancelled. Telemedicine registers 11 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths telemedicine register may be registered on the telemedicine register if the applicant (a) is not a regulated member of the College, and (b) meets the requirements set out for physicians, surgeons and osteopaths in section 3, 4 or 5, as the case may be. (2) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the physician assistants telemedicine register may be registered on the physician assistants telemedicine register if the applicant (a) is not a regulated member of the College, and (b) meets the requirements set out for physician assistants in section 3, 4 or 5, as the case may be. (3) Every regulated member registered on a telemedicine register may practise only from a jurisdiction outside of Alberta. Student registers 12 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the physicians, surgeons and osteopaths student register must (a) be currently enrolled in an undergraduate medical program in Alberta approved by the Council, or (b) be undertaking or intending to undertake medical education in Alberta while enrolled in an undergraduate medical program that is acceptable to the Registrar in another jurisdiction. (2) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the physician assistants student register must (a) be currently enrolled in a physician assistants program in Alberta approved by the Council, or (b) be undertaking or intending to undertake physician assistant training in Alberta while enrolled in a physician assistants program that is acceptable to the Registrar in another jurisdiction. 13 to 16 Repealed AR 51/2023 s3. Titles, Abbreviations and Initials Authorization to use titles 17 (1) A regulated member registered in a register category for the registration of physicians, surgeons and osteopaths referred to in section 2(a) may use the title “Doctor” and the abbreviation “Dr.”. (2) In addition to the title and abbreviation listed in subsection (1), (a) a regulated member registered in a register category for the registration of physicians or surgeons referred to in section 2(a) may use the titles “physician” , “medical doctor”, “medical practitioner” and the initials “M.D.”, and (b) a regulated member registered in a register category for the registration of osteopaths referred to in section 2(a) may use the titles “osteopath” , “osteopathic practitioner”, “doctor of osteopathic medicine”, “doctor of osteopathy”, “osteopathic medical practitioner” and the initials “D.O.”. (3) A regulated member referred to in subsections (1) and (2) may, subject to subsection (4), use the titles, abbreviations or initials listed in section 2 of Schedule 21 to the Act that are appropriate to that regulated member’s scope of practice. (4) The Registrar must specifically approve and authorize the use of the titles, abbreviations or initials referred to in subsection (3) and indicate the authorization on the appropriate category of the regulated members register. (5) A regulated member referred to in subsections (1) and (2) may use the title “specialist” if the regulated member (a) is authorized by the Registrar to use that title, and (b) has received notification from the Registrar that the authorization is indicated in the appropriate category of the regulated members register. (6) A regulated member registered in a register category for the registration of physician assistants referred to in section 2(b) may use the title “Physician Assistant” and the initials “P.A.”. 18 to 22 Repealed AR 51/2023 s4. 23 to 30 Repealed AR 51/2023 s5. Practice Permit Renewal Requirements Renewal requirements 31 (1) In addition to meeting the requirements established under section 40 of the Act, a regulated member applying for renewal of the member’s practice permit must continue to meet any requirements for a sponsorship agreement under sections 6(4)(f) and 7. (2) A regulated member applying for renewal of the member’s practice permit must provide one or more of the following as requested by the Registrar or Registration Committee: (a) a photo ID of the member in the form required by the Registrar or Registration Committee; (b) evidence of being a Canadian citizen or being lawfully permitted to work in Canada; (c) evidence of English language proficiency. AR 200/2020 s31;51/2023 32 Repealed AR 51/2023 s8. 33 to 36 Repealed AR 51/2023 s9. 37 to 41 Repealed AR 51/2023 s10. 42 to 44 Repealed AR 51/2023 s11. Transitional Provision, Repeal and Coming into Force Transitional 45 On the coming into force of this Regulation, a registered member described in section 15 of Schedule 21 to the Act is deemed to be entered on the regulated members register in the register category that the Registrar considers appropriate. Repeal 46 The Physicians, Surgeons and Osteopaths Profession Regulation (AR 350/2009) is repealed. Coming into force 47 This Regulation has effect on April 1, 2021.