Core Competency Courses

Sport Physiotherapy Canada (SPC) developed its own structured education pathway to assist individuals wishing to pursue a career working in sport and to proceed through SPC’s Credential Program. The pathway, comprised of two entirely virtual Courses titled Fundamentals and Advanced Core Competency Courses, aims to promote standardized, evidence-informed and accessible education relating to the field of Sports Therapy. Knowledge and skill gained from each Course will allow practitioners to work confidently and effectively with athletes both clinically and on the field at regional, national and international levels in either amateur or professional sport.

The Fundamentals and Advanced Core Competency Courses are designed to be completed sequentially to also help interested candidates prepare to challenge SPC’s Written and Oral Practical Exams to become a SPC Certificate and then SPC Diploma holder.

Each course offers a variety of didactic and interactive online sessions (IOS), delivered by experts from across Canada, and may be completed from anywhere, anytime over the course of a 12 month period. The virtual format will allow flexibility to accommodate various schedules and time zones, while permitting full time work; registrants may complete modules at their own pace from the comfort of their home, work or on the road traveling with athletes or athletic teams!

FUNDAMENTALS COURSE | CERTIFICATE LEVEL
Interactive Online Sessions will begin in September of every year and will be spread out over a 6 month period

ADVANCED COURSE | DIPLOMA LEVEL
Interactive Online Sessions will begin in September of every year and will be spread over a 6 month period

Please note: While IOS will be hosted and moderated by instructors for most units every few weeks, the remaining course material may be reviewed at the participant’s own pace immediately upon gaining access to the E-learning platform. Exact IOS dates and times, as well as any changes, will be communicated to participants closer to September. SPC reserves the right to change the order, cancel or defer IOS at any time and will provide as much advance notice as possible in the event of a change.

Online via ELearning Platform

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION
Opens the first Monday of June until the last Monday of August (June 3rd, 2024 to August 26th, 2024)

• SPC Members: $1645 (+tax) CAD
• Non Members: $1945 (+tax) CAD

REGISTRATION
Continues the last Tuesday of August until the third Monday in February – The Oral Practical registration deadline (August 27th, 2024 to February 17th, 2025)

• SPC Members: $1695 (+tax) CAD
• Non Members: $1995 (+tax) CAD

COURSE EXTENSION
Registration includes 12 months to complete the course; however, if you would like to extend access to complete the course or simply want prolonged access to the course materials and resources, an extension can be provided at:

• $100 (+tax) for an additional 6 months
• $150 (+tax) for an additional 12 months

Please email support@sportphysio.ca to request an extension.

ENROLLMENT POLICY

• ALL are welcome to enroll (SPC Members and Non-members)
• Minimum requirements for on-field hours as well as mentorship hours are NOT required to enroll in core courses
  • Minimum requirements necessary for all SPC credential program/exam applications
• Current First Responder certification is NOT required to enroll in core courses but is recommended
• Must be a SPC Certificate holder, Diploma candidate, Diploma holder or have taken the Fundamentals course in order to enroll in the Advanced Course
• Enrollment in both Fundamentals and Advanced courses simultaneously is NOT permitted at this time*

*Exceptions may be made for approved SPC mentors, examiners and Diploma holders in good standing with up to date maintenance of credentials

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations received 2 weeks prior to the first Monday of September will receive a full refund minus a $250 administrative fee. Any cancellations received within 2 weeks of the the first Monday of September will not receive a refund. Deferrals will be possible and accepted for an additional $50 administration fee – requests must be received no later than the first Monday of September.

1. How often will the Core Courses run?
   Courses will run once annually. Registration will open the 1st Monday of June and close the 3rd Monday of February. IOS will run over a 6 month period, however candidates will maintain access to course material for 12 months.
2. If you can complete course material from ‘anywhere, anytime’ during the predefined period, why are there specific dates/times associated with each Unit?
   Dates correspond to IOS that will be hosted and moderated by instructors for most Units. The remaining course material may be completed at the participant’s own pace, outside of the indicated timeline. IOS details will be communicated to participants closer to September.
3. Are mentorship hours required to enroll in Core Competency Courses?
   No. Completion of mentorship hours are mandatory to be eligible to challenge SPC’s Oral Practical exams. Logforms must be submitted by the predetermined deadline (3rd Monday in April). Changes to minimum requirements, along with updated resources (including mentorship logbooks, objectives and references etc.) will be shared upon application.
4. Are current SPC First Responder (SFR) certifications required to enroll in Core Competency Courses?
   No. SFR training is recommended but NOT required for course enrollment. SFR certification is mandatory to apply to challenge both Certificate & Diploma designations.
5. Are minimum ‘on-field’ hours required to enroll in Core Competency Courses?
   No. Minimum on-field hours are NOT required for Course enrollment. However, minimum on-field hours are required to apply to challenge both Certificate and Diploma designations.
6. Is completion of Core Courses mandatory prior to SPC’s written credential exam?
   No. Though review of course materials may be advantageous to those preparing to challenge the written portion of the credential program examinations, candidates may complete course material at their own pace during the one-year access period. Course  completion is mandatory ahead of the Oral Practical exam. See below for more details.
7. Is Core Course completion mandatory to obtain SPC designations?
   Yes. Effective spring 2024, credential program candidates are required to complete core competency courses fully (100%) and submit a valid course certificate of completion by the 3rd Monday of April in order to be eligible to challenge SPC’s oral practical examinations and before corresponding designations (Certificate or Diploma) will be granted for the given credential.
8. Is there a maximum allowable time between Course registration and completion of the Written Exam for the respective SPC credential (Certificate or Diploma)?
   Yes – 3 years, in keeping with SPC Maintenance of Credentials (MoC).
9. Are Diploma candidates required to enroll in and complete the Fundamentals Course if they attained their Certificate prior to 2023?
   No. Diploma candidates will NOT have to complete the Fundamentals Course if they were Certificate holders prior to 2023. As of fall 2022, registration into the Advanced course will be mandatory ahead of challenging the Diploma examinations.
10. Are members who have successfully completed the written examination but have yet to challenge the Oral Practical examination for a given credential still required to enroll in and complete the Core Competency Course for that designation?
    Yes. Credential program candidates who have yet to successfully complete both the written and oral practical examinations for a given credential (i.e. prior to May 2022) will be required to enroll in and complete the Fundamentals or Advanced Core Competency Course before they will be able to obtain the Certificate or Diploma designations, respectively.
11. How long would a unit/course take to complete?
    The following provides an estimate of time needed to review materials per unit:
    – 1 to 4 hours of online course material
    – 1 to 2 hour interactive online sessions
    The following provides an estimate of time needed to review materials per course:
    – Fundamentals course: 30 hours
    – Advanced course: 20 hours
    Please note:
    – Each course has an external module which could add an additional 1 to 3 hours per course;
    – This estimate does not account for interactive online sessions which may add approximately 8-10 hours of additional time to complete the course;
    – Please note that everyone’s personal experience could vary!