If you hold an Alberta dental assistant practice permit, you must renew it every year by November 30 to continue practising in Alberta. Renewal opens in early October.
2027 renewal at a glance
Renewal opens: October 1, 2026
Renewal deadline: November 30, 2026
Renewal fee: $225.00
Professional liability insurance: Your policy must cover the full registration year, from December 1, 2026, to December 1, 2027.
Patient Relations learning: Complete the full module if this is your first renewal. If you have renewed before, complete the refresher.
If you miss the deadline: Your practice permit will be suspended on December 1. You must not practise until your permit is reinstated.
- Eligibility, key dates, and renewal preparation
- Portal access and profile updates
- Annual learning and insurance requirements
- Current practice and practice hours
- Completing and submitting your application
- Approval and your renewed practice permit
- Missed deadlines, cancellation, and returning to practice
- Renewal help and additional information
Eligibility, key dates, and renewal preparation
Who needs to renew?
Every dental assistant with an Alberta practice permit must renew it before it expires. This includes new registrants, registrants who recently reinstated, provisional registrants and registrants who recently transferred from the provisional register to the general register.
When does renewal open, and what is the deadline?
Renewal opens in early October and closes November 30. We’ll email you when the renewal application is available in the portal. You must complete your application, pay the fee and submit it by November 30.
Why do I need to renew every year?
Annual renewal confirms that you continue to meet the requirements and are authorized to practise as a dental assistant in Alberta. All practice permits expire on November 30 each year. To continue practising, you must renew by that date.
What should I do before renewal opens?
Prepare in advance to make renewal faster and easier. Sign in to the CADA portal, reset your password if you haven’t used the upgraded portal, and check your contact and employment information. Complete your Patient Relations learning and record your current-year Continuing Competence Program learning activities, confirm your current practice hours, and purchase your professional liability insurance and have certificate ready to upload.
Portal access and profile updates
The portal looks different. Has the renewal process changed?
The upgraded portal has a new look. While some of the steps to complete your renewal may be different, the renewal requirements are the same. You’ll review your information, confirm that you meet the requirements, complete the declarations, upload supporting documents when requested, submit your application and pay the fee.
What if I can’t sign in to the portal?
If you haven’t used the upgraded portal, reset your password first. Use the email address in your CADA profile and follow the password-reset instructions. If you still can’t sign in, contact us before the renewal deadline.
Annual learning and insurance requirements
What professional liability insurance do I need?
You must have professional liability insurance that meets our requirements.
Renew your coverage before you renew your permit and have your current insurance certificate ready to upload.
What Patient Relations learning must I complete?
You must complete Patient Relations learning every year before you renew. If this is your first renewal, complete the Patient Relations Learning Module. If you have renewed before and already completed the full module, complete the Patient Relations Refresher. You can access both in the Professional Practice Learning Centre.
What Continuing Competence Program requirements must I complete?
Complete your learning goals for the current year before you apply to renew. Review your CCP records in the portal to make sure they are complete and accurate.
Think about your learning goals for the next year. In your renewal application, you’ll complete a self assessment and create two learning goals for the upcoming registration year.
Current practice and practice hours
How many practice hours do I need?
You need at least 300 dental assisting practice hours completed within the three years before you apply to renew. You can also meet the current practice requirement through another accepted option, such as recent graduation, completing a clinical refresher course, successfully completing the NDAEB Clinical Practice Evaluation, or holding current dental assisting practice rights in another regulated province.
Where do I add my practice hours?
Your practice hours are linked to your employment records. In your renewal application, add your hours under Employment in the Profile Update section. Enter the requested information and upload your completed Practice Hours Verification Form or other supporting document.
What if I don’t have 300 practice hours?
Review the current practice requirements before you apply. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify through another accepted option. You may be able to demonstrate substantial equivalence, or you may need to complete a clinical refresher course.
Completing and submitting your application
What information should I review in my application?
Check that your legal name, contact details, employment information, practice hours, insurance certificate and CCP records are current. Read each declaration carefully and answer every question truthfully and accurately.
Can I save my application and return to it later?
Yes. Follow the prompts in the CADA portal and save your progress.
If your application is in progress, remember to return before November 30 to complete every outstanding step, submit your application and pay the fee. A saved or partially completed application has not been submitted.
What are declarations, and why are they important?
They are statements in the renewal application that ask you to confirm your eligibility, compliance with registration requirements and acknowledge your professional responsibilities. Your answers help us determine whether you continue to meet the requirements for a practice permit. Read each statement carefully and respond truthfully and accurately. Providing incomplete or inaccurate information could affect your registration.
Approval and your renewed practice permit
How do I know my renewal has been approved?
Once you have completed every required step, submitted your application and paid the fee, we’ll email you when your renewal is approved. Your renewed practice permit will also appear on your portal home page.
When will I receive my renewed practice permit?
After your renewal is approved, sign in to the portal to view and print your renewed practice permit.
Missed deadlines, cancellation, and returning to practice
What happens if I don’t renew by November 30?
You must not practise without a valid practice permit. If you miss the deadline, your permit will be suspended on December 1, and we’ll notify your employer. You’ll need to meet the reinstatement requirements before you return to practice. Reinstatement may require additional steps, documents and fees, so renew before the deadline whenever possible.
What if I’m not planning to practise next year?
If you don’t plan to practise next year—for example, while on parental leave—you have two options. You may renew as usual, provided you meet the requirements, so your permit is ready when you return. Or you may cancel your practice permit and registration. If you plan to cancel, do not complete the renewal application. To cancel in good standing, submit a cancellation request through the portal instead. Letting your permit expire isn’t the same as formally cancelling it. Review the cancellation information and the requirements for returning to practice before you decide.
Renewal help and additional information
Where can I get more information or help?
Review the permit renewal information, including a helpful video. If you still have questions or need help with your circumstances, contact us before the deadline.
