The registration requirements for chiropractors in Ontario are governed by Ontario Regulation 137/11. The requirements are the same for all applicants – whether trained domestically or internationally.

Successful completion of the requirements for registration demonstrates that an applicant has fulfilled the essential competencies to become registered with CCO, practise as a chiropractor in Ontario, perform the controlled acts authorized to the chiropractic profession under the Chiropractic Act, 1991 and provide care to the public of Ontario.

All practising chiropractors in Ontario must be licensed by CCO. CCO’s registration process is governed by Regulation 137/11: Registration. The registration requirements are the same for all applicants – whether trained domestically or internationally.

Prospective members must complete the following before becoming registered with CCO:

• graduate from an accredited chiropractic college (this requirement is non-exemptible);
  • Council on Chiropractic Education (Canada)
  • Council on Chiropractic Education (USA)
  • European Council on Chiropractic Education
  • Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia
• successfully complete the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board knowledge-based and clinical competency examinations or another examination considered by Council as equivalent;
• successfully complete CCO’s Legislation and Ethics examination;
• provide evidence of good character;
• submit a Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) Vulnerable Sector (VS) Check;
• be able to speak and write English or French with reasonable fluency;
• maintain professional liability protection.

Graduation From an Accredited Chiropractic College

In Ontario, chiropractors work as autonomous health professionals who have the authorization to use the “Doctor” title, see patients without a referral, communicate a diagnosis within the chiropractic scope of practice and perform controlled acts under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. It is essential that registered chiropractors have the appropriate level of education required for this level of responsibility. The Council on Chiropractic Education is committed to defining international educational standards and ensuring their adoption and maintenance by accredited chiropractic colleges.

Successful Completion of Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board Knowledge-Based and Clinical Competency Examinations

One way in which CCO ensures that registered chiropractors provide high quality, competent and ethical care to the public of Ontario is by using a consistent, objective and defensible standard for all applicants who wish to become registered in Ontario, no matter where they have completed their education. The CCEB examinations test the essential, clinical, entry-to-practice competencies expected of chiropractors in Ontario. Please see the CCEB website for more information.

Once registered, members are expected to practise in accordance with the core competencies and maintain their clinical competencies through the participation in the quality assurance program, which includes mandatory continuing education, self assessment and peer and practice assessment.

Successful Completion of CCO’s Legislation and Ethics Examination

It is essential for registered chiropractors to be familiar with and understand the legislation, regulations and standards of practice that govern the chiropractic profession in Ontario. CCO’s Legislation and Ethics Examination provides a mechanism to help ensure that applicants possess this knowledge when applying for registration.

Please see Policy P-045: CCO’s Legislation and Ethics Examination for further information about CCO’s legislation and ethics examination.

Provide Evidence of Good Character

Applicants must provide evidence that their past and present conduct must afford reasonable grounds for belief that the applicant is mentally and physically competent to practise chiropractic, will practise chiropractic with decency, integrity, honesty and in accordance with the law, has sufficient knowledge, skill and judgment to engage in chiropractic and will display professional behaviour.

Applicants are required to demonstrate this good conduct and character by disclosing to CCO all past offences, findings or professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity, and findings of malpractice or professional negligence. Applicants moving from another jurisdiction must provide a letter of good standing from all jurisdictions in which they have practised chiropractic or been registered as a chiropractor. All applicants sign a declaration that all information provided is true, complete and current.

Please see Policy P-054: Determination of Good Character of an Applicant or Member for more information about the policies and procedures regarding the determination of good character.

Submit a Canadian Police Information Centre Vulnerable Sector Check (of equivalent)

As part of its due diligence and efforts to promote openness and accountability, CCO requires applicants for registration to provide a Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) Vulnerable Sector (VS) check from the applicant’s current jurisdiction in Canada as well as any past jurisdiction(s) in which the applicant has practised.

The CPIC VS check verifies whether an applicant has a criminal record or any record suspensions for sexual offences, and searches local police records for information relevant to the CPIC VS check.

Applicants who are applying from an international jurisdiction shall provide a documentation from their jurisdiction that is substantially equivalent to the CPIC VS.

Be Able to Speak and Write English or French with Reasonable Fluency

Applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum level of communication skills in either English or French as a requirement to providing effective care to the public of Ontario . Fluency in either of these languages is demonstrated by successful completion of CCO’s Legislation and Ethics Examination.

Professional Liability Protection

The requirement to be personally insured against professional liability applies to all regulated health professionals in Ontario. Chiropractors are required to maintain professional liability protection to protect themselves and patients from any possible acts of malpractice, professional negligence, professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.

Fees

Candidates are responsible for paying the following fees when applying for a General (i.e. active) class of license with CCO:

• CCO Legislation and Ethics Examination Fee: $180
• Certificate Fee: $340
• Application Fee: $52
• Annual Fee First Year: $550

For each subsequent year of registration in the General class, the annual fee is $1100.

Please see By-law 13: Fees for further information.

There are also fees associated with taking the CCEB examinations:

• Component A – Basic and Applied Sciences: $790 (Canadian Sites) or $1125 (Australian Site)
• Component B – Clinical Decision Making and Diagnostic Imaging: $790 (Canadian Sites) or $1125 (Australian Site)
• Component C – Clinical Skills Evaluation: $1575
• Administration – $150
• Late Fee (A & B): $250
• Late Fee (C): $500
• Retabulation: $150
• Replacement CCEB Certificate: $150

Please see the CCEB website for further information: www.cceb.ca.

Documents for Registration

Candidates must supply CCO with the following documentation:

• official or notarized copies of all transcripts from an accredited chiropractic educational institution. If such a transcript is unavailable due to extenuating circumstances, in the opinion of the Registration Committee, the candidate must otherwise satisfy the Registration Committee that he/she graduated from an accredited chiropractic education program;
• photos of the applicant;
• confirmation of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to practise the profession;
• completed application; and
• applicant fee

Registration candidates may always access their registration records and documents at no cost at any time during the registration process. Please contact Ms Madeline Cheng, Registration Coodinator at mcheng@cco.on.ca for information on accessing your registration records and documents.