The Physical Therapy Profession Act establishes business arrangement rules that physical therapists must adhere to. It permits physical therapists to provide professional services:

• As a self-employed individual.
• As an employee on behalf of an individual who is a regulated member of the College.
• For a partnership in which 75% of partnership assets are vested in College members.
• For a physical therapy corporation (see below).
• For a government institution, agency, nursing home, approved hospital, health authority.
• For a College approved employer (see approved employers below).

Corporations
The College maintains a register of physical therapy corporations that meet the following requirements:

•  Is a corporation in good standing under the Alberta Business Corporations Act

   demonstrated by a copy of incorporation certificate.

•  Seventy-five percent or more of all issued and voting shares owned directly by a

    regulated member of the College - demonstrated by one of the following:

      –    duly executed share certificates or

      –    Alberta Corporation registration statement

• Seventy-five percent or more of corporation directors are regulated members of the

  College - demonstrated  by one  of the following:

      –    filed copy of appointment of directors or 

      –    Alberta Corporation registration statement

Registering a corporation with the College
Physical therapists must register a corporation with Alberta registries before registering it with the College. Download a corporation application package, complete and submit with your fees and documentation listed on checklist. For your convenience, the application is provided in fillable form format and can be completed on your computer. Alternatively you can print the application and complete by hand.

Corporation permits expire December 31 in the year they were issued. A new permit is issued each year upon renewal of the corporation’s registration. Owners of a physical therapy corporation must inform the College of any changes in its shareholders or directors within 60 days of the change.

Approved Employers
Section 20 of the Physical Therapy Profession Act, General Regulation includes business arrangement rules that physical therapists must adhere to. Section 20(2)(d) states that physical therapists may accept employment from a College approved employer. The College must approve any type of business arrangement that does not meet specific requirements outlined in section 20(1)(a)-20(2)(c).

Approved employers must meet the following criteria:

• Evidence of employer’s responsibilities related to employing physical therapists
   (i.e. awareness of governing legislation, code of ethics, practice standards).
• Evidence of practice environment where physical therapists may practice autonomously.
• Agree to allow the College access to premises to conduct inspections and/or
   practice visits.

Request to become an approved employer
Employers must apply in writing to the College and provide written evidence/documentation to support their application.

Questions about business arrangements in Alberta
Please contact the College.