Alberta has several occupations that are monitored and regulated by a professional college or association. Find more information on these organizations and the law of professional regulation in Alberta on this page.
Professional Regulation Services
Different Alberta Regulatory Organizations
Many occupations in Alberta are regulated by a professional college or association. These professions / regulatory bodies include:
- Accountants – College of Professional Accountants (CPA) Alberta
- Acupuncturists – College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta
- Audiologists – Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
- Chiropractors – College of Chiropractors of Alberta
- Combined Laboratory and X-ray Technologists – Alberta College of Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technologists
- Dental Assistants – College of Alberta Dental Assistants
- Dental Hygienists – College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta
- Dental Technologists – College of Dental Technologists of Alberta
- Dentists – Alberta Dental Association and College
- Denturists – College of Alberta Denturists
- Dietitians – College of Dietitians of Alberta
- Hearing Aid Practitioners – College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta
- Licensed Practical Nurses – College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta
- Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologists – Alberta College of Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologists
- Medical Laboratory Technologists – College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Alberta
- Midwives – College of Midwives of Alberta
- Naturopaths – College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta
- Occupational Therapists – Alberta College of Occupational Therapists
- Opticians – College of Opticians of Alberta
- Optometrists – Alberta College of Optometrists
- Paramedics – Alberta College of Paramedics
- Pharmacists – Alberta College of Pharmacy
- Pharmacy Technicians – Alberta College of Pharmacy
- Physiotherapists – Physiotherapy Alberta College + Association
- Physicians, Surgeons and Osteopaths – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta
- Podiatrists – College of Podiatric Physicians of Alberta
- Psychiatric Nurses – College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta
- Psychologists – College of Alberta Psychologists
- Registered Nurses – College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta
- Respiratory Therapists – College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta
- Social Workers – Alberta College of Social Workers
- Speech-Language Pathologists – Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Bow River Law’s lawyers are skilled and experienced at handling professional regulation matters in Alberta, including professional college complaints.
What are Employees Obligated to Do?
If you are found guilty of professional misconduct in Alberta, that could mean many negative things for you, including:
- Loss of your job (termination of employment)
- Loss of license to practice your profession (suspension or revocation)
- Loss of personal and professional reputation
- Being forced to pay a fine or even for the cost of an investigation and hearing
- Having a reprimand decision published with your name on it
If you have been advised that a complaint has been made against you to your professional college in Alberta, you should get in contact with us as soon as you can, so we can give you legal advice and help you through it. In situations where complaints of unprofessional conduct have been made against you, we can help you:
- Navigate the process of being investigated by your employer or professional body;
- Fight charges against you by your professional body;
- Negotiate a penalty deal with your professional body, rather than going to a full hearing.
Cautionary Notes
- Failing to cooperate with an investigation into your professional behavior by your regulatory college or association can make things much worse in some cases. If the professional body decides after a hearing to sanction or penalize you, your willingness or failure to cooperate during the investigation can be the difference between a lenient punishment and a harsh one.
- With the right legal guidance, there are often steps a professional can take to reduce the likelihood of a harsh punishment by the professional body for professional misconduct. Let us help you.
Professional Regulation FAQ
Someone made a complaint to my professional college about me. What should I do?
If you have a complaint of professional misconduct against you, chances are your employment is in jeopardy and your professional college is investigating as well. You should speak to an employment lawyer right away to help you through this.
What can I do if my professional college wants to investigate me for professional misconduct?
Your professional college is usually allowed to investigate you for professional misconduct, and you are generally required to cooperate with the investigation. However, if you are under investigation you should get a lawyer as soon as possible to advise you and help you protect your rights and interests.
What happens if my professional body finds me guilty of professional misconduct?
If your professional body finds you guilty of professional misconduct, you could be liable for a whole range of penalties, including a published decision, education courses, financial penalties like fines and having to pay the cost of the hearing, or even having your license suspended or revoked. Often the penalty can be negotiated with the professional body.
Professional Regulation Legal Blog Articles
Court Overturns Interim Practice Permit Suspension For Chiropractor
In Basaraba v College of Chiropractors, an Alberta Court set aside a suspension that was in place pending a conduct hearing.
ABCA upholds Cost Award Re Dentist Unprofessional Conduct
In Kherani v Alberta Dental Association, the Alberta Court of Appeal upheld a significant costs award against a dentist after findings of unprofessional conduct.
That Ain’t Fair – ABCA on Fair Disclosure for Post Secondary Discipline
Penn v St. Stephen’s College, 2024 ABCA 99 describes an individual’s entitlement to procedural fairness in the context of a post-secondary expulsion.
Professional Discipline – ABCA Case on Penalty and Evidence Standards
In CPAA v Mathison, 2024 ABCA 33, the maj of the Alberta Court of Appeal substituted a license revocation for suspension. Dissent said no misconduct
Acupuncturist Disciplined by Profession for Conflict of Interest
In Wanglin v College of Acupuncturists of Alberta, 2023 ABCA 2023, the Alberta Court of Appeal upheld professional discipline for breach of a COI policy
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