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Are you a physiotherapist educated outside Canada and now looking to practice here? This information will help you get started.

March 2025

Internationally Educated Physiotherapists (IEPTs): Pathway to Licensure

Physiotherapy is a healthcare job in Canada with strict rules. Anyone who wants to work as a physiotherapist or use the title must be officially registered in the province where they want to work. For physiotherapists trained in other countries, called Internationally Educated Physiotherapists (IEPTs), there are four main steps to follow to work in Canada. The first two steps are handled by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR), which checks their education and qualifications. The last two steps are handled by provincial regulatory organizations called “Colleges.”

Quebec is different from the rest of Canada and has its own system for reviewing qualifications. If you want to work as a physiotherapist in Quebec, you need to follow a different process through the Ordre Professionnel de la Physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ). The information below does not apply to those wanting to work in Quebec. (OPPQ).

IMPORTANT: Neither CAPR, nor any of the provincial physiotherapy regulatory organizations approve, endorse or recommend any preparatory exam courses! CAPR and the physiotherapy regulators are the source of truth regarding the requirements and steps to becoming credentialled and licensed in Canada. Please be aware of scams and unverified exam preparatory courses. 

Here are the four main steps IEPTs need to follow to practice physiotherapy in Canada.

★ STEP ONE: CAPR checks the education and qualifications of physiotherapists trained in other countries.

IEPTs must apply to CAPR for a review of their credentials. CAPR will review things like your identity, education, etc. To learn more about the credentialling process through CAPR, click here. To apply for credentialling, click here.

  • Application cost: $1,486

Please note that additional variable costs depend on your individual circumstances. Please refer to this table for cost breakdowns and timelines associated with each step.

Please note: Language proficiency requirements must be met before you can receive eligibility to write the exam.

Language requirements (variable costs) 🡲 Applicants must speak English or French fluently. See if you need to complete a test and review the list of approved tests and required scores here.

Canadian Health requirement ($500) 🡲 Applicants need to take a special course about how physiotherapy is practiced in Canada. The course must be from a school or organization approved by CAPR.

Here are the schools and organizations that offer this course:

  1. University of Toronto: Physiotherapy Practice within the Canadian Healthcare Context
  2. University of Alberta: Physiotherapy Practice in the Canadian Healthcare System, Continuing Professional Education

★ STEP TWO: Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE) must be taken

Once CAPR decides that the applicant’s education and training meet Canadian standards, the applicant can take the PCE, also known as the “Written Component.” You can find more information about the PCE, including how to sign up and prepare for the test, here.

  • PCE cost: $1,368.00
  • Format 🡲 It is an online exam with 200 multiple choice questions. The exam is available in English and French.
  • Topics 🡲 The exam includes topics like data interpretation, physical examination, taking a client’s history, treatment techniques, safety, ethics, and more.

Did you know?

You must successfully complete the PCE within a maximum of three (3) times to pass. First-time fail rates are high, so please make sure you are well prepared for this exam before you take it! Do not use one of the attempts as practice!

CAPR has a tutorial, practice questions and a practice exam for the written component of the exam.

Check out CAPR’s FAQ page here to learn more.

Some provinces allow you to apply for a temporary practice license after passing the PCE written component.

★ STEP THREE: Provincial regulators review clinical skills

After the applicant passes the PCE test, the next step is to contact the provincial regulator to have their clinical skills tested and finish any other steps required in that province. Check the links below for more information what each province needs.

Provincial Clinical Assessments can cost up to $1,985, and Assessment results can take up to 12 weeks to be released.

Please contact the regulator in the province you wish to practice for more precise information.

  1. Yukon
  2. British Columbia (BC)
  3. Alberta
  4. Saskatchewan
  5. Manitoba
  6. Ontario
  7. New Brunswick
  8. Nova Scotia (Note: Applicants need to register as a resident before doing the clinical assessment)
  9. Prince Edward Island (PEI)
  10. Newfoundland and Labrador

★ STEP FOUR: Registration in province of practice

Once the applicant passes the clinical skills assessment, they can register in the province where they want to work. They must also meet the registration requirements of that province, which may include paying fees and having professional liability insurance. These details will be outlined during the registration process.

Application fees may cost up to $245, and full registration/licenses can cost up to $805. Processing applications can take up to 60 days.

See below for more information and the link to register for each province.

  1. Yukon
  2. British Columbia (BC)
  3. Alberta
  4. Saskatchewan
  5. Manitoba
  6. Ontario
  7. New Brunswick
  8. Nova Scotia
  9. Prince Edward Island (PEI)
  10. Newfoundland and Labrador

IN SUMMARY:

1. CAPR reviews foreign credentials 🡲 2. Candidate passes the PCE 🡲 3. Provincial colleges review their clinical skills 🡲 4. The candidate meets registration requirements and is registered to start working in their province.  

DID YOU KNOW?  

The Provincial and Territorial Physiotherapy Regulators (often called Colleges) regulate physiotherapy in Canada, and act in the best interests of the public. 
The Canadian Physiotherapy Association and Provincial Branches advocate on behalf of the physiotherapy profession and act in the best interest of its members.
Each province’s regulator may have resources to help you. Contact them to learn about what support is available for physiotherapists trained in other countries. 

IEPTs get 50% off CPA membership and professional liability insurance during their first year of working in Canada! Contact CPA at information@physiotherapy.ca to learn more. 

Are you ready to apply for a job? Check out CPA’s career centre here. 

References

2.2 language proficiency – Canadian alliance of physiotherapy regulators. Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators – CAPR. (2024a, May 1). https://alliancept.org/internationally-trained/credentialing-overview/policies/2-2-language-proficiency/  

Assessment requirements – Canadian alliance of physiotherapy regulators. Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators – CAPR. (2024b, June 17). https://alliancept.org/internationally-trained/applying-for-credentialing/assessment-requirements/  

International candidates. Ordre professionnel de la physiotherapie du Quebec. (2024). International candidates | OPPQ 

Providing documents – Canadian alliance of physiotherapy regulators. Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators – CAPR. (2024c, November 7). https://alliancept.org/internationally-trained/applying-for-credentialing/providing-documents/  

Written component – Canadian alliance of physiotherapy regulators. Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators – CAPR. (2024d, January 2). https://alliancept.org/competency-exam/getting-started/written-component/