Medical Matters: Updates from the Registration department

Read time: 2 minutes

By: Bruce Leisen, B.Sc., Director, Registration

As CPSA’s Registration Director, I am pleased to provide the profession with an update on the significant work coming out of Registration since our department’s last Medical Matters in March’s issue of The Messenger. Believe it or not, we have even more exciting projects to share with you this time around!

The Registration team is dedicated to continuously improving our processes, to ensure physicians can move through their registration steps and transition into medical practice as smoothly and efficiently as possible. I believe the following updates demonstrate our commitment to learning and evolving our processes, all while maintaining high standards of patient care.

Changes to CPSA’s Provisional Register

As we shared in July’s Messenger, international medical graduates (IMGs) from approved jurisdictions, where their medical education and training are deemed substantially equivalent to Canadian standards, are now eligible for full licensure on the General Register. Previously, these IMGs were required to undergo additional assessments before they could transfer to the General Register.

In addition, we have made significant changes to the Provisional Register for IMGs who have not received their credentials from an approved jurisdiction. CPSA has eliminated the Summative Assessment (SUMA), a mandatory, 3-to-4-day, pass/fail evaluation previously required for physicians who had not obtained full Canadian credentials within 6 years on the Provisional Register.

Instead, after joining the Provisional Register, physicians are required to complete up to 2 Competency Assessments in their first 3 years on the register before becoming eligible for the General Register. These changes are designed to assist physicians with transitioning onto the General Register sooner, and at a significantly lower cost to them, while ensuring compliance with all CPSA guidelines and standards.

Updates for sponsors of IMG positions

Sponsors play a crucial role in bringing IMGs into the province, and we have seen sponsors consistently and effectively support their sponsored physicians throughout their integration into practice. As such, CPSA has updated our requirements so that sponsors are no longer expected to name a physician to provide clinical oversight. Removing this requirement makes the sponsorship process smoother for both new and current sponsors.

Significant fee changes
To make the sponsorship process smoother for both new and current sponsors, I am happy to share that effective June 9, 2025, we have reduced the sponsorship application fee from $3,500 to $2,000.

In line with our efforts to support physician retention in Alberta, CPSA has also made some changes to fees related to registration. For physicians completing their residency or fellowship in Alberta between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2027, registration fees ($800) and the first annual renewal fee ($2,000) will be waived.

Designation change for Family Medicine physicians and General Practitioners

To align our terminology with other Canadian jurisdictions, effective Sept. 22, 2025, CPSA has designated all Family Medicine physicians and General Practitioners as “Specialists in Family Medicine.” This change better describes the services Family Medicine physicians and General Practitioners provide and does not impact their scope of practice.

To conclude, I want to extend my sincerest appreciation to our regulated members for all the incredible care you consistently provide to your patients. We will continue to work hard and do all we can to support you. As a reminder: keep an eye on your inbox for the first annual renewal notice in early November!

Interested in becoming a PCA assessor?

If you are a physician interested in an assessor role, you are welcome to consider applying for the role of a Preliminary Clinical Assessment (PCA) assessor. Learn more about the expectations and qualifications and submit an application here.

Questions? Contact us

If you have any questions related to Registration, you are welcome to reach out to the CPSA Registration team at registration@cpsa.ab.ca.