LPN News

We receive a lot of questions about our fees. In this article, we’re going to provide more information about how the fees that Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) pay support the provision of safe, competent care.

The College of LPNs and HCAs of Alberta (CLHA) operates as a non-profit. The fees that we collect go towards the regulatory oversight of Alberta’s LPNs and HCAs. This includes providing knowledge about two distinct professions, supporting LPNs in providing safe care, and performing core regulatory functions.

Registration Renewal Fees

LPNs can pay the lowest registration renewal fee by completing the process before the last month of renewal. This year, LPNs will pay $350 for their registration renewal if they renew between September 8 and October 31. The fee for renewing from November 1 to November 30 is $550.

The CLHA last raised the fee that we collect before the last month of renewal in 2012. Beginning in 2023, LPNs now obtain insurance separate from their registration renewal fees.

LPN Fees Provide for Regulatory Oversight and Practice Support

In its Annual Report, the CLHA provides statements on our financials. This includes an overview of our revenues and expenditures.

Revenues

The largest source of revenue for the CLHA is fees from registration renewal for both professions. We also have revenue from other fees related to registration applications, assessments, and examinations; consultations; investments; and other fines and fees.

All regulated healthcare professionals in Alberta pay for yearly practice permits to cover costs related to regulation. Permit fees are set based on the cost of regulating a profession, with consideration given to the level of responsibility that professionals have within the healthcare team.

Expenditures

Having appropriate resources is essential for regulating in a manner that is fair and protects and serves the public. This ensures that we can:

• communicate in a timely manner with registrants;
• provide the required expertise and knowledge about the LPN profession; and
• support safe care through professional development resources, the Continuing Competence Program, and other means.

Most of the CLHA’s expenditures represent the people, technologies, and facilities that administer services including registration, education, conduct, practice supports, and the Continuing Competence Program. Some examples of major expenses are below.

• Investigations and hearings into unprofessional conduct, when necessary, to support a fair, complete, and impartial process;
• A database to securely store information about registrants;
• Staff who can answer phone calls and emails, to support registrants and others in understanding our processes;
• Evaluation of applications for registration, to make sure that applicants meet the qualifications to be registered;
• Practice support for registrants, employers, and other interested parties, supporting better understanding of regulation and the LPN role; and
• Resources such as webinars, modules, policy documents, and newsletters to support the provision of safe, competent, and ethical care.