The labour mobility pathway applies if:
- You hold current practice rights as a dental assistant in another Canadian province where dental assisting is regulated. These provinces include: British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan.
If this pathway does not apply to you, review the pathways to registration.
Before applying
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Complete demographic information
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Requirement: Personal information and contact details
You must provide personal information, proof of identity, and have current contact details.
How you can meet the requirement
You can provide personal information and contact details by answering all mandatory application fields, and to provide proof of identity, upload the following while completing your application:
- a copy of one (1) piece of Canadian government issued identification (ID) that includes your legal name and date of birth (for example, drivers permit, birth certificate, citizenship card).
If your legal name doesn’t match your ID or other application verification documents, you must submit proof of name change with a government-issued document (for example, marriage certificate) for each instance of a name change.
Other ways to meet the requirement
If you do not have the required proof of identity, or name change, you still have options. You can provide a statutory declaration confirming your identity.
How we assess the requirement
We use our Registration Policies and Procedures to assess this requirement.
Demonstrate eligibility
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Requirement: Current Registration (also known as certification or licensure)
You must hold current practice rights when you apply for registration. We consider current practice rights as holding valid registration as a dental assistant in another Canadian province where the profession of dental assisting is regulated.
How you can meet the requirement
You can show current registration by requesting the regulatory body you hold registration with to provide us with a completed verification of standing form.
Other ways to meet the requirement
If you have other qualifications that show your registration is current and in good standing, please provide verification documents and we will assess for substantial equivalence.
How we assess the requirement
We use our Registration Policies and Procedures to assess this requirement.
English Language Proficiency
You must have English language proficiency.
How you can meet the requirement
You can show English language proficiency by providing a copy of one of the following:
- declaration stating your program of study was provided in English
- proof your first and native language is English
- evidence of a Canadian high school transcript that shows completion of English 30 or grade twelve equivalency
- results of an acceptable score on a recognized language test, achieved within two years preceding the date of initial registration application submission, see our English language proficiency policy (Registration Policy 012)
Other ways to meet the requirement
If you have other qualifications that show you are proficient in English, please provide verification documents and we will assess for substantial equivalence.
How we assess the requirement
We use our Registration Policies and Procedures to assess this requirement.
Requirement: Good character
You must have good character and reputation.
How you can meet the requirement
You can show good character and reputation by providing answers to the registration application questions about your suitability to practice such as:
- any current or previous professional misconduct
- any current or previous criminal matters
- any conditions/restrictions on practice by other professional regulatory authorities
- civil judgements in relation to professional practice
- anything else that may have a negative impact on your fitness to practice
And, by providing the College with verification of standing from other professional regulators where you hold or previously held registration and practice rights, if applicable.
Other ways to meet the requirement
If you have other evidence that shows you have good character, please provide verification documents and we will assess for substantial equivalence.
How we assess the requirement
We use our Registration Policies and Procedures to assess this requirement.
Requirement: Criminal Record Check
You must obtain a criminal record check or a police certificate.
How you can meet the requirement
You can show the results of a criminal record check or a police certificate by uploading in your application an original or notarized copy of the results of your criminal record check or a police certificate dated within ninety days before submitting your application for registration.
Other ways to meet the requirement
If you cannot obtain a criminal record check or a police certificate, you still have options. You can provide proof that you requested a criminal record check/police certificate from the correct authorities and a letter explaining all the efforts you have taken to get one.
How we assess the requirement
We use our Registration Policies and Procedures to assess this requirement.
Practice in Alberta
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You must hold current professional liability insurance (PLI) that meets these requirements:
- your name must be on the PLI policy and it must match the name on your registration application
- your coverage is:
- occurrence based
- at least two-million dollars ($2,000,000.00) per claim
- at least three million dollars ($3,000,000.00) for all claims combined per year
- your policy period must cover you until the end of the practice permit/ registration year you are applying for (for example, when you are applying for registration and a practice permit for the 2026 permit year, your PLI must be in effect until December 1, 2026)
Where you can get PLI
Many providers offer professional liability insurance. Though your PLI must be the type and amount we require, it’s up to you to choose who you purchase it from.
These options* may help get you started:
- Prolink is one option of an insurance company that offers PLI for dental assistants, including immediate access to an insurance certificate when you use their online application form.
- Association of Alberta Dental Assistants and RDA Collective are two options of Alberta associations that offer PLI for dental assistants.
*We do not endorse any providers.
How you can meet the requirement
You can show that you have the required professional liability insurance by uploading in your application a copy of one of the following:
- PLI Certificate of Insurance
- written confirmation from your insurer
- proof of third-party PLI
Other ways to meet the requirement
There is no other way to meet this requirement.
How we assess the requirement
We use our Bylaws, and Registration Policies and Procedures to assess this requirement.
Fees
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You will need access to a credit card to pay all applicable fees according to the College’s fee schedule.
When you submit your application in the portal, you will need to pay the application assessment fee of $105.00. If you application is approved, you will need to return to the portal to pay the registration fee of $225.00 to complete the application process.
You may need to pay fees to other organizations to meet some of the application requirements that apply to you. Requirements with third-party fees include:
- official transcripts
- English language assessments
- letter or verification of standing
- criminal record check
- professional liability insurance
Applying
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To apply for registration, follow these steps:
- Go to our portal.
- On the portal login page, click on Are you a new applicant? Activate now! This will take you to the Send My Activation Link screen.
- Enter your email address in the Email field. Your email address will become your username. The email field and username field are both case sensitive. The way you enter your email address here is how you must enter it as your username each time you sign in.
- Check your email for your activation link. If it is not in your inbox, check your junk/clutter/spam folder. In your email click on the Click Here link. You will now be at the Reset Password screen. You will need to create a password that is unique to you. It must be a “strong” password (not weak or good). Make sure you enter the same password in the New Password field and in the Confirm New Password field. Click on the Submit button.
- Now that you’ve successfully created your password, you will be at the Security Questions screen. Each time you sign in you must answer one of your Security Questions. This is two-stage authentication. The answer fields are case sensitive. The way you enter your answers here is how you must enter them each time you sign in.
- You will now be on the Welcome screen of the application. Choose Labour Mobility.
- Complete your application form by:
- Entering your personal details, education/competency information, and eligibility information.
- Uploading all required documents.
- Answering the questions about your conduct and compliance.
- Complete the declaration statements.
- The final page is the Assessment Fee Payment. Once you enter your payment details and click Process Payment your application is submitted (provided the payment is successful). You cannot apply without a successful Assessment Fee payment.
Additional information:
- Your application supporting documents must be authentic and be provided in English. If your documents are in a language other than English, you must have them translated to English.
- You are responsible for all costs associated with the application and supporting documentation.
- We provide our staff and Registration Committee with training in all areas that are relevant to make fair and effective registration decisions.
- We maintain a policy and procedure manual for our staff to ensure you are provided with fair, defensible and consistent decision-making.
- We use registration criteria to assess your application clearly to both you and our decision-makers
After applying
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- Application received
- When you submit your application, you’ll immediately receive an automatic email from our system to inform you that your application was submitted.
- Initial review
- Within ten business days after you apply, the College will review your application.
- If anything is missing, a member of our registration team will email you and give you instructions on how to complete your application.
- If your application stays incomplete or inactive for forty-five business days, it will be closed and you must reapply.
- Assessment
- Once your application is complete, our registration team will assess to make sure you meet all registration requirements.
- Within ten business days, most complete applications are processed by the registration team.
Note: Some complex applications may take longer. By legislation, the College has up to six months to make a registration decision.
- Decision and practice permit
- If your application is approved, you’ll receive an automatic email from our system informing you your application was approved and to return to the portal to pay the Registration Fee.
- When you pay the Registration Fee your registration will become active, and you’ll have immediate access to your practice permit in the portal. You cannot practice until you have a valid practice permit. If you don’t pay the Registration Fee within forty-five business days, your application may be closed and you must reapply.
- If your application is deferred, you’ll receive an email from our registration team stating the decision and instructions on next steps.
- If your application is refused, you’ll receive an email from our registration team stating the decision with reasons.
- Application received
What can delay your registration decision
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In most instances registration application reviews and assessments are completed within ten business days. In some instances, decisions on your registration may take longer when you have:
- missing, incorrect, or incomplete documents
- character, conduct, competence, or health information that needs review
- unclear criminal record check results
Appeals and extensions
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Requesting an extension
- If you require additional time to meet outstanding registration application requirements, you may ask for an extension by submitting a written request with reasons for the Registrar & CEO’s review.
Appealing your decision
- If you disagree with any part of the decision, you may appeal to the College by submitting a written request with reasons for the Registrar & CEO’s review.
After you’re registered
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Once you have dental assistant registration and a practice permit, you’ll need to continue to meet requirements to keep practising/working.
This includes:
- renewing your practice permit by November 30th every year, including the first year you get your permit
- completing Continuing Competence Program requirements, including during the first year you get your permit
- completing the Patient Relations Learning Module before your first permit renewal, and the Refresher each year after
- maintaining professional liability insurance coverage at all times, including renewing your insurance before your first permit renewal
- keeping your contact and employment information up to date in your profile in the portal
- self-reporting to the Registrar & CEO
You’ll be able to use the protected titles of Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) and Dental Assistant (DA).
Your name, registration number and permit status will show on our public registry. If there are any conditions on your practice or if you are authorized for any advanced practices, this information will also show 0n the registry.
