Return to Practice Applicant

Applicants who do not hold current registration with a Canadian Dietetic Regulator are eligible to apply for assessment as a Return to Practice applicant.

Information Guide

The College has developed an informative guide on the application, assessment and registration process for Return to Practice Applicants to the College of Dietitians of Alberta. We encourage all applicants to review the guide prior to commencing the application process.

Click here to access the Information on Application for Registration: Return to Practice Guide.

Click here to view a summary of the Registration Pathway for Return to Practice Applicants.

Application

The College will assess the qualifications of a return to practice applicant to determine if the requirements for registration have been met.

To be eligible for registration, the applicant must first complete an Online Application for Registration to the General Register.

Were you previously registered with the College? Please contact the College office to enable your online account.
Are you a new applicant to the College? Access https://cda.alinityapp.com to create an account with the College in order to complete an application for registration.
Click here to watch a brief demo video on How to Apply Online to the College (2:18)

In addition to the application form, applicants will be required to provide application documentation. The College has created a Documents for Submission: Application for Registration (Return to Practice) guide which includes a checklist and summary of the documentation required for a complete application. Click on the bold link to access the guide.

Any fees associated with providing the required documentation to the College office are the responsibility of the applicant.

Application Timelines

The length of time it takes for an application to be complete and advance to the assessment process depends on the length of time it takes for an applicant to obtain and submit the required documentation. An applicant can start a file with the College office when they are ready to apply and the file will remain open as the applicant submits further documentation.

The College completes preliminary assessments (Credential Document Assessment) throughout the year, upon receipt of a complete application. If further assessment is required (College Competency Assessment), the College will refer the application for assessment which is completed twice per year in Spring (March) and Fall (August/September).

Assessment

The assessment process includes two assessments: Credential Document Assessment (completed for all applicants) and College Competency Assessment (completed for applicants who have not demonstrated currency).

When reviewing Return to Practice applications, the College must verify currency of practice-based knowledge and therefore, whether the currency requirement has been met. The College policy for currency requires registration with a dietetic regulatory body within the past three years and/or a minimum of 600 dietetic practice hours over the previous three consecutive years.

If an applicant cannot demonstrate currency through prior registration or practice hours, they may be required to complete the College Competency Assessment.

The College Competency Assessment for registration is conducted at the University of Alberta by University faculty and staff and is based on three components: Foundational Knowledge Examination, Practice Competency Examination (also known as an Objective Structured Clinical Examination) and Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). Assessment is to the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice to determine whether there are any gaps in dietetic knowledge.

The assessment fee is $600, paid to the College once an individual is scheduled for assessment. Please note that you are responsible for any personal expenses associated with the assessment.

Registration Decisions

Under provincial legislation, the College is required to make an interim registration decision to applicants within 6 months after receiving a complete application.

Following the Registration Committee’s review of all application documentation and assessment results, the College will send a letter outlining the requirements for registration. Based on any noted deficiencies in competence or knowledge, this can range from academic upgrading, dietetic bridging or any other requirements as determined by the Registration Committee. If additional dietetic bridging education is required, course costs are your responsibility. Applicants may request access to their application records; original documents submitted as part of an application are returned to applicants following the interim registration decision.

Under the Health Professions Act, an applicant may request a review of the interim registration decision by Council. The Council’s role in a review/appeal is to review the rationale and outcome of the decision and assess whether the decision was reasonable. The request must be submitted in writing to the attention of the Registrar within 30 days from the date of the registration decision notification. The request must set out the reasons why the application for registration should be approved with or without conditions.