Requirements for Practice

A number of requirements exist to ensure physicians are ready to begin practice. These include:

Examinations – Examination requirements for qualification of Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) and inclusion in the Canadian Medical Register are outlined.

Liability coverage – The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) provides medical liability coverage for physicians. Coverage must be purchased before practice begins.

Licensing – The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) is the licensing authority for physicians in Alberta. It is the responsibility of the College to ensure that physicians requesting licensure meet the requirements for registration. The College is also responsible for setting and monitoring standards of medical practice and investigating complaints about physicians.

Medical staff appointments and clinical privileges – Regional health authorities (RHAs) are responsible for appointments to regional medical staff and granting of privileges for physicians who wish to practise within a regional facility. For many rural hospitals and RHAs, the College’s Advisory Committee for Privileges may be asked to make recommendations for privileges on a procedure-specific basis.

Professional associations – The Alberta Medical Association is the professional organization representing the physicians in the Province of Alberta. The responsibilities of the AMA include negotiating on behalf of physicians, member representation, advocating for a better quality health care system, physician and family health, and co-managing the physician services budget.

Registration to bill – New physicians must register with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (Alberta Health and Wellness) to claim fees for insured fee-for-service services.