One of the ways CCO protects the public interest is by maintaining a registry of competent, ethical chiropractors. All practising chiropractors in Ontario must be registered with CCO in accordance with Regulation 137/11 Registration. The registration requirements are the same for all applicants whether educated domestically or internationally.
Requirements for Registration
1. Graduate from an accredited chiropractic educational institute, accredited by one of the following agencies:
- Council on Chiropractic Education (Canada)
- Council on Chiropractic Education (USA)
- European Council on Chiropractic Education
- Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia
2. Successfully complete the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) Written and Clinical Examinations.
3. Successfully complete CCO’s Legislation and Ethics Examination.
4. Complete and submit CCO’s Application Form for a General Certificate of Registration within 2 years of graduation, which requires:
- Evidence of good character and disclosure of any past professional misconduct, incompetence and incapacity, offences and malpractice findings
- Submission of a Canadian Police Information Centre Vulnerable Sector Check
- Being able to speak and write English or French with reasonable fluency
- Evidence of Professional Liability Protection or Insurance
- Confirmation of Canadian Citizenship, permanent residency or authorization to practise the profession in Canada
- Photo of the application
- Payment of the certificate ($52) and application fee ($340)
Other required documents:
- An official or notarized copy of all transcripts from an accredited chiropractic education institution (or equivalent if extenuating circumstances), provided directly to CCO from the accredited chiropractic education institution
- CCEB results provided directly to CCO from CCEB
5. Meet the requirements for registration, become registered with CCO and receive a certificate of registration. Applications for registration are generally processed within 10 business days.
Or
1. Question as to meeting the requirements for registration and referral to the Registration Committee for further review. Matters are reviewed by the Registration Committee generally within one month.
2. Applicant is informed that their application will be referred to the Registration Committee for review and asked to submit any additional information (e.g., professional portfolio, letter of good standing, police record).
3. Application is reviewed by the Registration Committee. The Registration Committee uses the following two flowcharts for guidance in making for reviewing applications for initial applicants and members previously registered with CCO. The Registration Committee makes a decision, consistent with CCO regulations, policies and precedents:
- Applicant is registered,
- Applicant is registered with terms, conditions and limitations on their certificate of registration, or
- Applicant is not registered.
4. Applicant may appeal the decision to the Health Professions Review and Appeal Board (HPARB).
Applicant from other Canadian Jurisdictions
If you are a chiropractor registered in a Canadian jurisdiction where chiropractic is a regulated profession, you may be eligible to apply for registration through the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), if you provide CCO with a letter of good standing from your regulatory board. AIT allows for the movement of chiropractors and other regulated professionals across Canadian jurisdictions without facing undue barriers to registration.
If you are currently registered under a class or category of registration that is similar to a class or category in Ontario and provide CCO with a letter of good standing, you will not be required to undergo any substantial additional training, experience, examinations or assessments. You will still be required to successfully complete CCO’s Legislation and Ethics Examination to demonstrate knowledge of Ontario law with respect to chiropractic. As well, CCO may require an investigation into past disciplinary and legal history as well as well as other administrative requirements (fees, forms, liability protection, etc.). If you are currently registered under a class or category of registration that is not similar to a class or category of CCO, CCO’s existing registration regulation will apply.