Registration Questions
Registration becomes mandatory on July 6, 2026.
After that date, all individuals practicing DMS in Alberta must:
- Be registered with the College
- Be listed on the appropriate specialty register
- Hold a valid practice permit issued by the College
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.
No.
Individuals currently practicing are strongly encouraged to apply to the Pre-Regulatory Record (PRR) to support preparation for registration.
Registration and practice permits will only be issued once regulation comes into force on July 6, 2026.
Specialty Related Questions
The College is establishing a DMS profession register with the following three specialites:
- DMS-Ultrasound Technologist (Generalist)
- DMS-Echocardiographer (Cardiac)
- DMS- Vascular Technologist (Vascular)
Registrants will be placed on the appropriate specialty register based on their qualifications and practice area.
For DMS, the specialty registers are:
- DMS-Ultrasound Technologist (Generalist)
- DMS-Echocardiographer (Cardiac)
- DMS- Vascular Technologist (Vascular)
Musculoskeletal (MSK) sonography is considered an area of practice within the Generalist specialty, rather than a separate entry-to-practice pathway.
The College regulates entry to practice and legal authorization to practice in Alberta. It does not establish separate specialty registers for focused areas of practice.
Employers may require additional credentials or certifications for specific roles, such as MSK or pediatric imaging. These are employment requirements, not registration requirements established by the College.
All registrants must practice within their competence and practice framework.
Pre-Regulatory Record (PRR)
The PRR:
- Identifies individuals currently practicing diagnostic medical sonography in Alberta
- Allows the College to communicate directly with practitioners about next steps
Being listed on the PRR does not authorize practice. Authorization begins only once registration is confirmed and a practice permit is issued.
If you are currently practicing DMS in Alberta, you should apply to the Pre-Regulatory Record.
The PRR allows the College to accept applicants into the appropriate specialty register before the regulation comes into force.
Applying to the PRR helps ensure there is no interruption to your ability to practice when regulation begins.
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 and a practice permit.
A job title alone does not determine whether you are practicing as a DMS. The College assesses the duties you perform in your role.
If your job title or application does not clearly demonstrate that you are practicing as a diagnostic medical sonographer, you are required to provide additional information. This includes:
- a description of your current role and duties
- a current job description (if available)
- confirmation from your employer or supervisor that the information you have provided is accurate, including their name, email address, and phone number for verification purposes
- details about whether you hold separate positions in different professions or organizations
The College uses this information to determine whether you are practicing as a diagnostic medical sonographer. Registration decisions are based on the work you are actually performing, not only on your job title.
Yes.
If you were included on a previous DMS roster, you must apply again to the new Pre-Regulatory Record.
The earlier roster cannot be reused or reactivated. It was developed under a different framework that anticipated a single specialty pathway. The new regulation establishes three separate specialty registers, each with defined registration pathways.
We strongly recommend that all individuals who intend to practice after July 6, 2026 apply to the current PRR.
If you are listed on the PRR, you do not need to submit a new application.
The College will transfer eligible individuals from the PRR to the appropriate specialty register when regulation comes into force.
Only individuals who have been formally registered and issued a practice permit will be authorized to practice after July 6, 2026.
Yes.
Being listed on the Pre-Regulatory Record does not automatically guarantee registration. Individuals on the PRR must still meet the College’s registration requirements before they can be issued a practice permit.
In some situations, an individual may not be eligible to move to the General Register if information comes to the College’s attention that may impact their eligibility for registration. This may include matters related to good character, professional conduct, or suitability to practice.
Only individuals who meet all registration requirements and are issued a practice permit will be authorized to practice after July 6, 2026.
Do I need to be on the Pre-Regulatory Record to continue working before regulation comes into force?
You are not required to be on the Pre-Regulatory Record to continue working before July 6, 2026.
However, if you intend to practice DMS in Alberta once regulation comes into force, you are strongly encouraged to apply to the PRR.
After July 6, 2026:
- All applicants must meet the College’s approved entry to practice requirements.
- American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification will not be accepted for registration
- Applicants may be required to complete additional assessment or demonstrate equivalency to the College’s approved competency standards
Your employer may also require you to apply to the PRR as part of their preparation for regulation.
Applicants are asked to provide their relevant education and certification information so the College can maintain a complete registrant file.
This information is required under the College’s bylaws and forms part of the official registration record for each registrant.
The PRR is a non-practicing register and is not visible on the College’s public directory.
Once your application is approved, you will be able to download your non-practicing permit from the College portal. This document can be used to confirm your inclusion on the PRR.
If you do not apply to the PRR before June 7, 2026, and apply directly to the General Register after July 6th, 2026, you will be assessed under the full registration requirements in effect at the time of your application.
You will be required to meet all current registration criteria, including approved education, examination and competency requirements established by the College.
The PRR is intended to support individuals currently practicing in Alberta. Applicants who do not apply through the PRR will not be eligible to practice effective July 6, 2026.
After July 6, 2026:
- All applicants must meet the College’s approved entry-to-practice standards
- American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification will not be accepted for registration
- Applicants may be required to complete additional assessments or demonstrate equivalency to the College’s approved competency standards
If you intend to practice DMS in Alberta once regulation comes into force, you are strongly encouraged to apply to the PRR.
No.
The application form includes a Save option that allows you to save your progress and return later to complete the application.
The PRR closes before July 6 to allow the College time to review applications and prepare eligible individuals for registration when regulation comes into force.
This period allows the College to verify information, confirm eligibility, and complete the steps required to issue practice permits.
Individuals who apply after the PRR closes will need to apply through the regular registration process once regulation begins.
Credentials and Employer Requirements
Yes.
After July 6, 2026, all individuals practicing DMS in Alberta must be registered with the College and hold a valid practice permit.
Sonography Canada and the ARDMS are certifying organizations, not regulatory bodies. Certification through these organizations does not authorize someone to practice in Alberta.
After July 6, 2026, all individuals practicing DMS in Alberta must be registered with the College and hold a valid practice permit.
Employers must ensure individuals practicing DMS are appropriately registered.
The table below explains the difference between a protected title, a credential, and what legally authorizes someone to practice in Alberta.
| Protected Title | Credential | What Allows You to Practice in Alberta? |
| A title protected under legislation. | A certification or qualification issued by an educational or professional organization. | Registration with the College and a valid practice permit. |
| Only individuals registered with the College may use the title in Alberta. | Credentials recognize education, training, or additional areas of expertise. | Registration confirms the individual meets the requirements to practice under the Health Professions Act. |
| Use of the title indicates the individual is accountable to the College’s standards, bylaws, and complaints process. | Credentials may be issued by organizations such as Sonography Canada or the ARDMS. | Without registration and a valid practice permit, an individual is not authorized to practice in Alberta. |
No.
Membership in Sonography Canada or ARDMS is voluntary and is not required to practice in Alberta once registered with the College.
However, the College strongly encourages registrants to consider maintaining professional association membership for access to continuing education, professional networking, and other professional resources.
Employers may require certain credentials as part of their terms of employment. Registrants are encouraged to speak with their employer before discontinuing membership in any professional organization.
The DMS specialty registers are based on recognized entry-to-practice pathways:
- DMS-Ultrasound Technologist (Generalist)
- DMS-Echocardiographer (Cardiac)
- DMS- Vascular Technologist (Vascular)
Additional credentials required by an employer are employment requirements, not registration requirements established by the College.
If your employer requires additional certifications or credentials for a specific role, you must meet your employer’s requirements. However, your legal authorization to practice as a DMS in Alberta is based on registration with the College.
All registrants are responsible for practicing within their competence and scope of practice.
The PRR is a non-practicing record and is not visible on the College’s public register.
The payment receipt is NOT valid proof of PRR approval. An approved applicant can download a non-practicing permit from the College portal, which they provide to their employer to confirm their inclusion on the PRR.
Being listed on the PRR does not authorize practice once regulation comes into force.
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.