Registration Requirements
Yes.
The practice of DMS includes clinical imaging as well as supervision, education, management, research and administration related to the profession.
Individuals practicing these roles require registration.
Yes.
If you plan to practice DMS in Alberta in the future, you must be registered with the College and hold a valid practice permit before returning to practice.
You must meet the registration requirements in effect at the time you apply.
Yes.
If you practice DMS in Alberta, you must be registered with the College and hold a valid practice permit, even if you are registered in another province.
Registration in another jurisdiction does not authorize you to practice in Alberta.
Yes.
If you perform activities that fall within the practice of DMS in Alberta, you must be registered with the College and hold a valid practice permit.
This requirement applies regardless of whether the services are paid or unpaid.
Yes.
All registrants must hold a minimum of $2,000,000 in Professional Liability Insurance and provide confirmation during registration and renewal of continuous coverage.
Registrants are responsible for ensuring their coverage aligns with their practice activities.
Maintaining Your Registration
During renewal, registrants will be required to:
- Confirm their registration information
- Maintain Professional Liability Insurance
- Confirm participation in the Continuing Competence Program
- Pay the annual renewal fee
If a practice permit is not renewed, the registrant is no longer authorized to practice in Alberta.
Titles and Credentials
| Protected Title | Credential |
| A title protected under legislation. | A certification or qualification issued by an educational or professional organization. |
| Only individuals registered with the College and holding a valid practice permit may use the title in Alberta. | Recognizes education, training, or additional areas of expertise. |
| Identifies individuals who are authorized to practice under the Health Professions Act. | Does not authorize someone to practice in Alberta. |
| Registrants using the title are accountable to the College’s standards, bylaws, and complaints process. | Credentials may be issued by organizations such as Sonography Canada or the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). |
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After July 6, 2026, only individuals registered with the College and holding a valid practice permit may use the protected titles associated with diagnostic medical sonography.
These include:
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
• DMS
• Ultrasound Technologist
• Echocardiographer
• Vascular Technologist
Using a protected title without registration may be an offence under the Health Professions Act.
Practice Authorization
Beginning July 6, 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers will be authorized to perform specific restricted activities under the Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation.
Registrants may only perform restricted activities:
- Authorized for the profession under legislation
• For which they have the required competence
• In accordance with the College’s Standards of Practice
Continuing Competence
The CCP supports ongoing professional learning and helps ensure registrants maintain the knowledge, skills, and judgment required for safe practice.
Through CCP, registrants are expected to:
- Reflect on their professional practice
- Identify learning goals
- Complete learning activities
- Maintain a record of professional development
Participation in CCP is a requirement of registration. Click here to learn more.
Participation in CCP is mandatory for all registrants.
Failure to participate in the program is considered non-compliance with the Health Professions Act and the College’s standards. The matter will be referred to the Complaints Director for review under Part 3 of the Health Professional Act.
Conduct and Complaints
Unprofessional conduct refers to behaviour that contravenes the Health Professions Act (HPA), the College’s Standards of Practice, or the Code of Ethics, and that may compromise patient care or undermine the integrity of the profession.
A complaint may be submitted to the College when a registrant’s professional practice appears to fall below the expected standards. Examples may include:
- Concerns related to practice or professional competence
- Patient safety concerns
- Fitness to practice concerns
- Breaches of privacy or confidentiality
- Allegations of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct
Complaints regarding diagnostic medical sonographers can only be submitted to the College once sonographers become regulated under the College (meaning they are on the general register). Prior to regulation, the College did not have jurisdiction to review or take action on such complaints.
The College cannot accept or take action on complaints regarding incidents that occurred prior to diagnostic medical sonographers becoming regulated under the College.
However, recent concerns or complaints received may be considered as part of the College’s assessment of an individual’s good character, which is a requirement for registration. In such cases, the individual will be notified of the concern and given an opportunity to respond before a decision on their registration is made.
Complaints can come from the public, employers, or a coworker. Employers have a legal responsibility to report suspensions, terminations or resignations during employer investigations.
A registrant may continue to practise while the complaints process is underway, unless otherwise directed by the College. If the concern raises a significant risk of harm to the public, the Complaints Director may impose interim conditions on the registrant’s practice permit or recommend that the practice permit be suspended pending the outcome of the matter.
- Initiate a formal investigation into the complaint
- Refer the matter to an alternative complaint resolution process
- Request an expert review or assessment of the subject matter
- Dismiss the complaint if it is considered trivial or vexatious
- Dismiss the complaint if there is insufficient or no evidence to support the allegations, or
- Issue a direction under section 118 of the Health Professions Act.
- Refer the matter to a disciplinary hearing
The outcome will depend on the nature and severity of the complaint and the findings of the disciplinary process.
If the College receives an inquiry from a member of the public or another regulatory body regarding a registrant’s complaint history—for example, if the registrant is seeking registration with another regulatory body—the College has to disclose relevant information in accordance with its legislative authority.
Where a registrant has been found guilty of unprofessional conduct following a disciplinary hearing, the resulting hearing decision order is published on the College’s website.
Compliance and Enforcement
If a registrant practices DMS without the required registration and practice permit after July 6, 2026, this will constitute unprofessional conduct. Such matters will be referred to the Complaints Director for review under Part 4 of the Health Professions Act.
About the College
No.
Council includes six registrant positions appointed by Council and six public members appointed by government. Registrant positions are open to candidates from any profession specialty within the College.
There are no specialty-specific seats. All Council members act in the public interest.
Yes.
The College is governed by Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and is required to protect personal information in accordance with provincial law.
Timeline
March 16, 2026– Pre-Regulatory Record Opens
June 8, 2026 – at 12:00am MDT, Pre Regulatory Record Closes
July 6, 2026 – Regulation in force and registration and annual renewal requirements apply.