Alberta needs more doctors.
About 42,035 trained health professionals already live here.
These are people educated in health abroad who now live in Alberta, counted in the 2021 Census. Many are not working in health because licensing takes years. Here is what the gap looks like locally.
Alberta by the numbers
42,035
About 8.2 for every 1,000 residents. Counts may have changed since 2021.
Source: StatCan Census 2021
~1,200
Estimated from how many people lack a family doctor. Treat as a rough guide (±15–20%).
Source: CMA/OurCare 2025
36 wks
National median: 28.6 weeks. #6 longest of 10 provinces. From a physician survey.
Source: Fraser Institute 2025
241
10 below the national average of 251. Provincial split is estimated.
Source: CIHI HW 2024
493
Provincial split is estimated from national data.
Source: CIHI HW 2024
How an internationally trained doctor gets licensed in Alberta
From the province's medical regulator. Last checked April 2026.
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
Alberta offers a Provisional Register pathway for IMGs. Registration admin fee $800 (one-time) + annual practice permit $2,000. PRA (Practice Readiness Assessment) required for most IMGs not from approved jurisdictions. Residency waiver program incentives available 2025–2027.
The main bottleneck: Supervision contract and sponsor required. PRA required for most IMGs from non-approved jurisdictions.
Regulator's registration page (opens in a new tab)- Application fee
- $800 CAD (registration admin fee)
- Yearly licence fee
- $2,000 CAD
- Canadian residency needed
- Required for General Register; Provisional Register available under supervision without full residency.
Regulator fees only. National exams, assessments and immigration fees are extra; see the full cost breakdown.
Live in Alberta? Two things you can do today
Sign the petition, then tell your MP it matters to you.
71% of the goal · 4,365 more names needed · count as of November 1, 2026