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.

Transcripts must be received by the CDSA directly from the University where the applicant has obtained their dental degree from. If an applicant has graduated from a Canadian or USA Advanced Placement Program, transcripts from the initial University may be received, as long as they are notarized or certified by a notary public. Transcripts from the advanced placement program still must be received by the CDSA, directly from the University of the advanced placement program. Transcripts can be forwarded 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. Only a photocopy of the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) of Canada certificate is required.

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.

No. Only a photocopy of the National Dental Examining Board of Canada/National Dental Specialty Exam (NDEB/NDSE) certificate or the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC) certificate is required.

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.

Passport-sized photos are valid for six months 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.

Character reference letters may be written by friends or work colleagues, but not family members or dental school classmates. Letters should be a minimum of three paragraphs in length. The reference must have known the applicant for a minimum of two years. Letters must be signed, dated and contain at least two pieces of the contact information, such as an email address, a contact phone number or a home/work address. Letters must all be written independently by character references. If a character reference has letterhead, it is preferable the letter be written on the letterhead. Electronic signatures are acceptable.

Once an applicant’s documents are complete, they are reviewed by the Director or Registrations and then forwarded to the CEO/Registrar for approval. Once approved by the CEO/Registrar, applicants are contacted and offered dates for upcoming Orientation and Registration Sessions, which are held online by Zoom teleconference.  The Orientation is presented by the CDSA CEO/Registrar. The Registration Department completes the session by providing additional information on required forms for registration, and Professional Corporation and CDANet information. Applicants will then be given their practice permit number and the Registration Department will assist in zoom teleconference with payment online of registration, annual permit and malpractice insurance payment. 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.

Exam study material is available on the CDSA website, at https://www.cdsab.ca/becoming-a-dentist

The Ethics and Jurisprudence Exam is offered approximately every two weeks via Zoom teleconference. The exam is proctored by the Registration Department. Once the application has been started, applicants will be provided with dates of upcoming exams. Exams are not open book, nor multiple choice and require written answers. Exams are marked and notification of pass or fail is sent by email.

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.

No. Professional incorporation documents cannot be processed until an applicant is a registered member of the CDSA. Once registered, professional corporation incorporation documents can be emailed the day after they are registered. All professional incorporation documents are processed electronically by email and may be forwarded to ProfessionalCorporations@CDSAB.ca. More information can be found at: https://www.cdsab.ca/becoming-a-dentist/professional-corporations/

Professional Corporation incorporation times can vary.  Processing time with the CDSA is approximately 4 business days. Processing time on the end of the lawyer/tax accountant will need to be taking into consideration as well. It is suggested to allow approximately 6 weeks from start to finish for processing.  Please note that certain times of year, volume will need to be taken into consideration.