Registration eligibility: Review of Qualifications

The first step in applying for independent practice registration with CPSA is to submit a Review of Qualifications. This is our pre-screening process for every applicant to confirm they meet all eligibility requirements.

The following chart shows how many applications are currently under review and how many have been deemed eligible to apply for independent practice registration in Alberta.

Eligible physicians: General Register

If a physician is deemed eligible to apply for registration, has Canadian credentials and passed all certifying exams, or is eligible for the Approved Jurisdiction Route, they may qualify to apply for the General Register and enter into independent practice once their application is submitted and approved.

The following chart shows how many eligible applicants may qualify to join the General Register.

Eligible physicians: Provisional Register

If a physician is deemed eligible to apply for registration but received their training outside of Canada, is not eligible for the Approved Jurisdiction Route, or failed a Canadian certifying exam, they may qualify to apply for the Provisional Register. This route requires applicants to undergo assessment(s), and those who received their training outside of Canada must obtain sponsorship.

The following chart shows how many eligible applicants may qualify to join the Provisional Register.

Registration application decision 

Once a physician has submitted a complete registration application (application includes all required documentation and for those with credentials outside of Canada, includes securing sponsorship and passing the Therapeutics Decision Making (TDM) exam, if applicable), CPSA will be able to make a registration decision.

Fully-registered physicians (as of Q3 2025)

Practice Readiness Assessments initiated

A Practice Readiness Assessment (PRA) is the required final step of an alternate path to independent practice in Alberta for international medical graduates (IMGs) who don’t have complete Canadian credentials or are not eligible for the Approved Jurisdiction Route.

Once an IMG registers with CPSA, they must pass this 2-part assessment of their clinical competence, chart management and professionalism to join CPSA’s Provisional Register. If a Canadian medical graduate fails a national exam, they also have to participate in a portion of this assessment and pass before joining the Provisional Register.