Registration FAQs and Links

Application processing times will vary, depending upon how quickly application materials, transcripts and Certificates of Standing and or Letters of Good Standing are received and processed. For example, an applicant that has been registered within multiple jurisdictions will need to factor in the processing time from the other jurisdictions into the overall time it will take to complete the application. For an applicant who obtained their education in another country, there would also be additional time required to obtain transcripts from their University. Each applicant it unique.

The application fee for the CDSA is $500.00. At the time of registration, all new applicants submit to a one-time registration fee of $1,000.00.  The annual practice permit fee is a full annual fee, and is pro-rated after July 1 in every year. Malpractice insurance is  included as part of the annual permit fee. This fee can vary yearly, and also depending on what time in the year an applicant applies for registration.  For specialists, there is a one-time fee of $300.00. For information on current annual fees, please contact the CDSA.

All fees are determined by CDSA Council at the end of May at the Annual General Meeting yearly, and are non-refundable.

The CDSA does have an option to register only, and then pay the Practice Permit fee (including malpractice insurance) at a later date.

This is an option available to applicants who are not planning to work immediately or are feeling some uncertainty moving forward.

No. The CDSA does not accept transcripts submitted directly by applicants. Transcripts must be sent to the CDSA by the issuing university where the applicant obtained their dental degree. Transcripts may be submitted via mail or email to registration@cdsab.ca.

Exception: Transcripts from Advanced Placement Programs must be sent directly to the CDSA by the issuing institution. However, Applicants who have completed an Advanced Placement Program may submit transcripts from their original university only if the documents are notarized or certified by a notary public. Original university transcripts can be sent to the CDSA via mail or email to registration@cdsab.ca.

Any lawyer who advertises themselves as a Notary Public can notarize documents. Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of Parliament and Judges can also notarize a document.

No. Certificates can be submitted as photocopies or directly from the examining boards.

The CDSA has access to the National Register as a verification, however the responsibility to supply a copy of the NDEB certificate to the CDSA is the responsibility of the applicant.

Certificates of Standing and/or Letters of Good Standing are valid for eight weeks from the date of their issuance. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the information is current until the application is complete, and they are successfully registered. All costs of the issuance of initial and any revised Certificates of Standing or Letters of Good Standing are the responsibility of the applicant.

Criminal Record Checks and Vulnerable Sector Checks are valid for one year from the date of their issuance. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the information is current until the application is complete, and they are successfully registered. All costs involved are at the applicant’s expense.

CPR is required to be updated yearly, and an updated CPR certificate is required to be provided electronically with every member’s annual practice permit payment.

Once an applicant’s documents are complete, they are reviewed by the Director of Registrations and Registrar. Approved applicants will be required to attend an online Orientation and Registration Session via Zoom, led by the Registrar and the Registrations Department. The session covers key contacts, professional corporations, and other required information. Applicants will receive their practice permit number and are assisted with online payments. Registration of a new applicant is effective the following day.

All new and current members will receive a Certificate of Insurance (COI) sent by Lloyd Sadd Insurance Brokers, at the issuance of the practice permit or renewal of the their practice permit. Additional copies of the COI can be obtained by contacting Lloyd Sadd Insurance at dentist@lloydsadd.com or calling them at 1-888-444-1295.

Applicants must study the designated materials before the exam. Please allow enough time to review thoroughly.

• • CDSA Code of Ethics
  • CDSA Bylaws
  • Continuing Competence Program Manual
  • College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta Communication Guide
  • College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta Advertising Statement
    
  • Dentists Profession Regulation
  • Health information Act
  • Health Professions Act – An Overview
  • Health Professions Act – Schedule 7, Sections 1-3 and 11-18
  • Standard of Practice: Continuing Competence
  • Standard of Practice: Informed Consent
  • Standard of Practice: Patient Records
  • Standard of Practice: Practice Arrangements and Provision of Professional Services
  • Standard of Practice: Privacy and Management of Patient Health Information
  • Standard of Practice: Sexual Abuse, Sexual Misconduct, and Female Genital Mutilation

The Ethics and Jurisprudence Exam is administered online approximately every two weeks.  After submitting an application through the Applicant Portal, candidates must email registration@cdsab.ca to request upcoming exam dates and confirm their participation.  The exam is not open book, in multiple choice format, and graded automatically, with results provided immediately upon completion.  The passing grade is 75% or higher.

Applicants are given 90 minutes to write the exam. If an applicant fails the exam, they will be offered upcoming available dates to re-write the exam. The exam is offered approximately every two weeks.

Ethics and Jurisprudence exams written in other provinces are not transferable to Alberta.