The role of professional associations depends on the occupation. Some, like teachers and medical professionals, require membership and certification in order to work in those fields. Others are unions that organize and negotiate for their members. Some exist to provide credentials for their members, but participation is not mandatory for employment.

You should check to see if membership in a professional association is necessary for your chosen occupation. Regardless, it’s generally a useful place to start if you are researching your career, educational plans, and options for employment.

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) provides comprehensive lists of national and provincial professional organizations that are updated on an ongoing basis.

Other Associations not listed in the Canadian Information Centre website:

Education

Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) is the professional organization of Alberta teachers.

Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association (ARMTA) Edmonton Branch, is a music teachers' organization.

Financial

Alberta Financial Careers is a Government of Alberta site that has links to all professional associations related to financial careers – as well as excellent links to training and career opportunities.

Medical

Alberta Medical Association sets standards and acts as an advocate for physicians in Alberta.

Capital Region Medical Staff Association represents all physicians working in the Capital Region (Edmonton and Surrounding Area).

Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Alberta (RPNAA) is the licensing and regulating body for the profession of psychiatric nursing in the Province of Alberta.

Project Management

The Project Management Institute-Northern Alberta Chapter (PMI-NAC), is a volunteer organization founded in 1981 that covers the geographic area of northern Alberta and the NWT.

Science and Engineering

Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG) promotes and furthers the study of petroleum geology and its related sciences.

Trades

Canadian Home Builders' Association-Edmonton Region (CHBA-ER) is an association of residential construction professionals. 

Unions

Edmonton Musicians' Association (EMA) is the site for the Edmonton (Local 390) branch of the international union representing professional musicians; American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (A.F. of M).

Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW) is the largest private sector union in Canada. It serves the automobile industry as well as several related sectors. 

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is Canada’s largest union. CUPE represents workers in health care, education, municipalities, libraries, universities, social services, public utilities, transportation, emergency services, and airlines. 

United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) is the union of Alberta’s Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, student nurses, and mental health workers.