Alberta health care aides will be regulated under a professional college starting Feb. 2, 2026, making Alberta the first province to formally oversee this group of front-line workers.

The change was announced in a July 16 government release, which described the regulation as a step to ensure Albertans receive care from qualified and accountable providers.

The province’s 40,000 health care aides provide hands-on support to seniors and patients with chronic or acute illnesses. Under the new system, they will need to meet approved education requirements, follow practice standards and commit to ongoing learning to use the health care aide title.

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta will expand to become the College of Licensed Practical Nurses and Health Care Aides of Alberta. The college will register health care aides, set practice and conduct standards, ensure continued professional development and respond to complaints.

“This is a major step forward in strengthening Alberta’s health care system,” said Adriana LaGrange, minister of primary and preventative health services. “It gives Albertans confidence that the care they receive is safe and that health care aides have the proper training and oversight.”

Health care aides currently enrolled in the Alberta Health Care Aide Directory will automatically transfer to the new college register and receive practice permits. After Feb. 2, 2026, only registered health care aides can use the professional title, and all must renew their practice permits annually.

Kurtis Kooiker, president of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta, said the organization is prepared to regulate health care aides using its experience with licensed practical nurses.

The college will work with health care aides, employers and post-secondary institutions in the coming months to prepare for the transition. Regulatory changes to support implementation will be finalized in the weeks ahead.