Physical Therapists Profession Regulation

(Consolidated up to 207/2025) ALBERTA REGULATION 64/2011 Health Professions Act PHYSICAL THERAPISTS PROFESSION REGULATION Table of Contents 1 Definitions 2 Register categories Registration 3 General register 4 Current qualifications 5 Equivalent jurisdiction 6 Substantial equivalence 7 Provisional register 8 Courtesy register Titles 12 Authorization to use titles, etc. Practice Permit Renewal Requirements 25 Renewal requirements Transitional Provision, Repeal and Coming into Force 39 Transitional provision 40 Repeal 41 Coming into force Definitions 1 In this Regulation, (a) “Act” means the Health Professions Act ; (b) “College” means the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta; (c), (d) repealed AR 41/2023 s2; (e) “Council” means the council of the College; (f) “courtesy register” means the courtesy register category of the regulated members register; (g) “general register” means the general register category of the regulated members register; (h) “provisional register” means the provisional register category of the regulated members register; (i) “Registrar” means the registrar of the College. (j), (k) repealed AR 41/2023 s2. AR 64/2011 s1;207/2025 Register categories 2 The regulated members register established by the Council under section 33(1)(a) of the Act has the following categories: (a) general register; (b) provisional register; (c) courtesy register. Registration General register 3 An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the general register must (a) have obtained a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from a physical therapy program approved by the Council, (b) have successfully completed a written knowledge‑based examination approved by the Council, and (c) have successfully completed a clinical competency examination approved by the Council. Current qualifications 4 (1) An applicant for registration under section 3 must have met the requirements set out in that section within the 3 years immediately preceding the date the Registrar receives a complete application, or (a) in the 5 years immediately preceding the date the Registrar receives the complete application, have been engaged in the practice of physical therapy for at least 1200 hours, or (b) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Registrar that the applicant is currently competent to practise as a physical therapist. (2) For the purpose of subsection (1)(b), the Registrar may require an applicant to do one or more of the following: (a) successfully complete coursework and examinations; (b) undergo an evaluation of competencies; (c) successfully complete additional clinical training. (3) For the purpose of subsection (2), the Registrar may register an applicant on the provisional register. Equivalent jurisdiction 5 An applicant for registration as a regulated member who is currently registered in good standing in another jurisdiction recognized by the Council under section 28(2)(b) of the Act as having substantially equivalent registration requirements to those set out in sections 3 and 4 may be registered on the general register. Substantial equivalence 6 (1) An applicant for registration who does not meet the requirements under sections 3 and 4 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 set out in sections 3 and 4 may be registered on the general register. (2) To assist with determining whether or not an applicant’s qualifications are substantially equivalent under subsection (1), the Registrar may (a) engage the services of experts and other resources, and (b) require the applicant to undergo an examination, testing or an assessment activity. (3) The Registrar may require an applicant to undergo any education or training activities the Registrar may consider necessary in order for the applicant to be registered. (4) The Registrar may require an applicant to pay all costs incurred under this section. Provisional register 7 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the general register may be registered on the provisional register if the applicant (a) has fulfilled the registration requirements set out in section 3(a) and (b) but has not fulfilled the requirements set out in section 3(c), (b) is qualified to practise physical therapy in another jurisdiction and the applicant’s competencies are being assessed by the Registrar in accordance with section 6, or (c) is enrolled in a program of academic or experiential upgrading as directed by the Registrar for the purpose of completing the requirements set out in section 4. (2) A regulated member registered on the provisional register may practise only under the supervision of a regulated member registered on the general register or courtesy register. (3) If an applicant fails the examination referred to in section 3(c) a second time, the applicant’s registration is cancelled. (4) A registration on the provisional register is valid for a period not to exceed 2 years. (5) Despite subsections (3) and (4), the Registrar may extend a registration on the provisional register if the Registrar is of the opinion that extenuating circumstances exist. Courtesy register 8 (1) A person who applies for registration in Alberta on a temporary basis for a specified purpose approved by the Registrar may be registered on the courtesy register if that person (a) is registered as a physical therapist in good standing in another jurisdiction, and (b) satisfies the Registrar of that person’s competence to provide the services related to the approved purpose. (2) Where a person is registered on the courtesy register, the registration is (a) for the purpose approved by the Registrar, and (b) for a term not to exceed one year, as specified by the Registrar. (3) A person who is registered on the courtesy register must remain registered and in good standing in the jurisdiction in which the person was registered at the time of the person’s application for registration on the courtesy register. 9 to 11 Repealed AR 41/2023 s3. Titles Authorization to use titles, etc. 12 (1) Regulated members registered on the general register or courtesy register may use the following titles and initials: (a) physical therapist; (b) physiotherapist; (c) P.T. (2) Regulated members registered on the provisional register may use the titles physical therapist intern and physiotherapist intern. (3) A regulated member who has earned a doctorate degree in a physical therapy program approved by the Council or a doctorate degree in a related area approved by the Council may use the title doctor or the abbreviation Dr. in connection with the practice of physical therapy. (4) A regulated member registered on the general register or courtesy register may use the title specialist if the regulated member (a) meets the requirements established by the Council for the use of the title specialist, and (b) is authorized by the Registrar to use that title. 13 to 16 Repealed AR 41/2023 s4. 17 to 24 Repealed AR 41/2023 s5. Practice Permit Renewal Requirements Renewal requirements 25 (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 provide evidence satisfactory to the Registrar or Registration Committee of meeting at least one of the following: (a) having met the requirements of section 3 in the previous 3 years; (b) in the 5 years immediately preceding an application for renewal, having been engaged in the practice of physical therapy for at least 1200 hours; (c) demonstrating that the member is currently competent to practise as a physical therapist. (2) If requested by the Registrar or Registration Committee, a regulated member applying for renewal of the member’s practice permit must provide a photo ID of the member in the form required by the Registrar or Registration Committee. AR 64/2011 s25;41/2023 26 Repealed AR 41/2023 s8. 27 to 30 Repealed AR 41/2023 s9. 31 to 35 Repealed AR 41/2023 s10. 36 to 38 Repealed AR 41/2023 s11. Transitional Provision, Repeal and Coming into Force Transitional provision 39 On the coming into force of this Regulation, a person described in section 6 of Schedule 20 to the Act is deemed to be entered on the regulated members register in the register category that the Registrar considers appropriate. Repeal 40 The General Regulation (AR 298/85) is repealed. Coming into force 41 This Regulation comes into force on the coming into force of Schedule 20 to the Health Professions Act .