Professional governance

Overview

Certain professions and occupations in Alberta are self-governed by professional regulatory organizations (PROs), which receive their authority through provincial legislation. These organizations are responsible for developing regulations, standards of practice, codes of ethics and other related bylaws that govern their members and ensure the public interest is protected and public safety is maintained.

These organizations may be called an “association,” “institute,” “society” or “college”. Thirteen PROs are registered under the Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act (POARA) while 9 have individual separate acts.

The Alberta government appoints public members to PRO governing bodies, committees and tribunals to ensure accountability and to assist the PRO with carrying out its responsibilities.

Self-regulate your profession

To self-regulate your profession, you need to form an association and apply for registration as a PRO. You will need to demonstrate that regulating your profession and introducing protected professional title(s) protects and serves the public interest and public safety.

Prior to applying, your association should have a discussion or meeting with the Registrar of Registered Professional and Occupational Associations (Registrar). This will help inform your association about the registration process, associated costs, the intent of the legislation and the potential impact and/or benefits to the profession and the public.

Resource: Application guide is coming soon.

If you have questions, email the Registrar.

Recent changes to legislation

Amendments to POARA came into effect on January 1, 2021. Changes include:

• updated registration provisions that require associations to meet the higher standard of protecting and serving both the public interest and public safety
• requiring organizations to demonstrate their long-term economic viability
• authorizing the Registrar to review existing PROs to assess if they remain qualified for registration

Resources:

• POARA Fact Sheet
• Review guide coming soon

Reviewing existing PROs

When a registration review is required, the Registrar will notify the PRO in writing. A review may be prompted by changes to legislation, government policy, or an organization’s mandate. The Minister will ask the Registrar to investigate if it is in the public interest and the interest of public safety for the organization’s registration to continue.

PROs and legislation

Alberta Advanced Education is responsible for legislation that governs 22 non-health PROs.

• Accountants:
  • Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta
  • Chartered Professional Accountants Act
• Agrologists:
  • Alberta Institute of Agrologists
  • Agrology Profession Act
• Architects:
  • Alberta Association of Architects
  • Architects Act
• Consulting engineers:
  • Consulting Engineers of Alberta
  • Consulting Engineers of Alberta Act
• Engineers, geoscientists and technologists:
  • Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta
  • Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta
  • Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act
• Foresters and forest technologists:
  • Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals
  • Regulated Forest Management Profession Act
• Land surveyors:
  • Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association
  • Land Surveyors Act
• Veterinarians and veterinary technologists:
  • Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
  • Veterinary Profession Act
• Other non-health professionals under the Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act:
  • Alberta Assessors’ Association
  • Alberta Association of Landscape Architects
  • Alberta Human Ecology and Home Economics Association
  • Alberta Professional Planners Institute
  • Alberta Shorthand Reporters' Association
  • Alberta Society of Professional Biologists
  • Association of School Business Officials of Alberta
  • Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta
  • Canadian Information Processing Society of Alberta
  • Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta
  • Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Alberta
  • Society of Local Government Managers of Alberta
  • Supply Chain Management Association Alberta

The ministries of Justice, Education and Health are responsible for the governing legislation of Alberta’s legal, teaching and health professions, respectively.

• legal services
• teaching
• health professions

Professional Governance services

The Professional Governance Unit oversees PROs that are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Advanced Education. This unit supports PROs and professional associations seeking to become PROs to ensure the public interest and public safety are protected and served. Professional Governance services include:

• advising the public on the legislative responsibilities of PROs
• providing policy advice, interpretation and direction to PROs, government and other stakeholders on professional legislation
• reviewing and making recommendations to government on applications from associations seeking self-regulation
• reviewing new or amended legislative proposals from PROs to ensure the public interest and public safety are maintained
• helping resolve issues between PROs
• assisting in the administration of public member appointments to governing bodies, committees and tribunals

Contact

Connect with Professional Governance:

Email: [email protected]

Address:
14th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 102 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4G8