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There are three types of applications you can fill out to become registered or change your registration status.

Applicants

  • New/Change of Status (for new practitioners, practitioners who are changing their level of practice or former members who have been out of practice for more than two years)
  • Labour Mobility (practitioners who hold current registration in another regulated Canadian province and are applying for the same designation in Alberta)
    • Applicants applying through Labour Mobility from BC: Current BC EMR licenses with EMA FR restrictions do not ‘transfer’ to an EMR in Alberta. Applicants must complete BC scope expansion training prior to applying in Alberta.
    • Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs), applying for registration in Alberta may be required to obtain additional training to meet the province’s EMR education standards.
      • This training ensures that EMRs are equipped to protect the public by providing safe and effective care in line with Alberta’s regulations, reducing the risk of harm and supporting the integrity of the paramedic profession in Alberta.
      • The requirements, that are included in all Alberta EMR education programs are:
        1. Confirmation of a professional driving course (equivalent programs as well as employer provided training will be considered by College staff)
        2. Current International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) basic certification
  • Substantial Equivalence (Canadian practitioners who meet the equivalency requirements and international applicants)

For former members who are returning to practice within two years of your last registration, please see the information on Returning to Practice or contact the College for more information.

Recently graduated applicants can apply for registration at any time within one year from their graduation date. Applicants should consider that to apply to the general register, all registration requirements including being successful at the registration exam, must be completed within one year of their graduation date*. Applicants have 30 days to complete all steps.

When an application for registration is submitted for the provisional register, applicants have 30 days to complete all steps (with the exception of the registration exam) to be listed on the provisional register. Regulated members can stay on the provisional register for a year while they wait to complete the registration examination, provided all provisional register requirements have been met.

*If an applicant is between 12-24 months of their graduation date, they can apply for registration IF they have successfully completed the registration exam within three months of applying.

Please contact the College if you are a new applicant and are outside two years from program completion. 

If you are already registered in another Canadian province, you may be eligible to apply for registration through Labour Mobility.

The criteria for Labour Mobility applications are:

  1. You are current, fit to practice and registered with a recognized provincial paramedicine regulator in another Canadian province
  2. You meet all the Alberta College of Paramedics registration requirements
  3. Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs), applying for registration in Alberta, may be required to obtain additional training to meet the province’s EMR education standards.
    • This training ensures that they are fully prepared to perform to Alberta’s standards of care. By completing the necessary training, EMRs are better equipped to protect the public by providing safe and effective care in line with Alberta’s regulations, reducing the risk of harm. Ensuring readiness and compliance with these requirements ultimately upholds public trust and supports the integrity of the paramedic profession in Alberta.
  4. Applicants who have completed their education in Ontario and are applying for PCP or ACP registration with the College are required to have either successfully completed the COPR national exam at the requested designation or provide validation of employment within the Base Hospital system. Practice conditions may be added to their permit/registration based upon the education and competency review conducted by the College upon application.
    • EMR certification in Ontario is not transferable to Alberta for registration purposes. College approved EMR programs in Alberta are listed on our website here.

The registration process for out-of-province applicants includes registration submission, completion of requirements, validation of education, employment, and references.

Conditions

Applicants who gain registration in Alberta through labour mobility may have additional conditions on their practice permit. The conditions will be applied based on your specific qualifications, and serve to support your transition into Alberta to ensure all provision of care to Albertans meets College standards.

Canadian Applicants:

If you have completed a PCP or ACP education program outside of Alberta, and you have successfully completed the COPR registration exam or the NB entry to practice provincial exam, you may be eligible to apply for registration with the Alberta College of Paramedics. Examples of who should proceed with a substantial equivalency review are applicants who:

  • Have practiced or are practicing in NT, YT or NU.
  • Applicants currently with the Canadian Forces in a paramedic or equivalent role.
  • Applicants who have completed their education in Ontario and are applying for PCP or ACP registration with the College are required to have either successfully completed the COPR registration exam at the requested designation or provide validation of employment within the Base Hospital system. Practice conditions may be added to their permit/registration based upon the education and competency review conducted by the College upon application.
    • EMR certification in Ontario is not transferable to Alberta for registration purposes. College approved EMR programs in Alberta are listed on our website here.
  • Completed PCP or ACP education in another province, and successfully completed the COPR registration exam or the NB entry to practice provincial exam, but are not regulated at that level (EMR education not eligible).
  • Have not completed approved education, but are approved by the Registrar or Registration Committee.

International Applicants:

First step: COPR Assessment Process

The College uses the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators (COPR) to assess the credentials of international applicants before the College can consider international applicants for provincial registration. COPR will assess at both the Primary Care Paramedic and Advanced Care Paramedic levels.

Please note the COPR assessment must be completed before beginning the registration process with the College.

Visit https://www.copr.ca/assessment-of-international-applicants/ for more information and to complete the COPR Assessment of International Applicants Process.

Second step: Apply for Registration

Once you have completed the COPR assessment, you can apply for provisional registration with the College.

Please complete the following steps:

  1. Submission of the Registration Application. You must include all material requested in the application.
  2. Complete payment of required fee(s). The payment of a non-refundable application fee is required.
  3. Once your application is approved by the College, complete payment of your practice permit.

For applicants who have practiced or were educated in Canada but are not regulated please contact registration@ABparamedics.com to discuss the College’s equivalency requirements.