Prerequisites
Thoroughly review Sport Physiotherapy Canada Prerequisites when registering to ensure you are meeting the criteria, and submitting the correct supporting documentation.
Please be sure to check back when registering as these criteria may change. For additional SPC Credentialing information, please refer to our SPC Program Resources page.
With the addition of the Core Competency Courses, this step is no longer required and this requirement ended in 2022
- 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 Sport First Responder (SFR) certification is NOT required to enroll in core courses but is recommended
- 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
- Be a graduated physiotherapist
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Current First Responder Certification from a recognized National body such as SPC, Canadian Red Cross or St. John’s Ambulance
- 2 years in clinical practice
- Have sufficient documented practical experience (log book) working with a team or organization and at athletic events:
- A minimum of 200 field hours as a graduate Physiotherapist
- 4 different sports
- 2 sports require a minimum of 75 hours EACH
- One of the two sports must be in a contact, combative, or collision sport
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a recognized SPC Mentor
- The Candidate must locate a suitable Invigilator, and inform SPC of the individual and their contact information
- Invigilator requirements: The Invigilator must be a SPC Diploma Physiotherapist, a MD, a DC, a head of department or clinic, or an educator in a postsecondary institution
- The invigilator receives instructions via email from SPC directly prior to the Written component date and supervises the Candidate while writing the exam
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Current First Responder Certification
- Indirect and direct mentorship hours
- Successfully passed the Certificate Written Exam (within the past 3 years)
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a recognized SPC Mentor
- The Certificate designation will not be obtained until completion of the Fundamentals Core Competency Course.
- Must be a SPC Certificate holder, Diploma candidate, Diploma holder or have taken the Fundamentals course in order to enroll in the Advanced Course
- 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 Sport First Responder (SFR) certification is NOT required to enroll in core courses but is recommended
- 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
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Be a SPC Certificate Level Credential Holder
- Current First Responder Certification
- 3 years in clinical practice
- Achieved the additional minimum of 200 hours (75 hours must be in contact, collision, or combative sport) of document practical experience (see note on hours below)
- Experience gained in at least 6 different sports, in 1 of these six 6 sports – involvement must extend over 1 full season with a team or club
- Full Season includes pre-season screening, in-season and postseason
- 1 of the sports must be in a contact, collision, or combative sport (i.e. hockey, lacrosse, soccer, judo, etc.)
- 1 sport covered over 1 season must include a minimum of 75 hours* of practical experience in that sport
- Submit a “Preparation Summary” found in the Log Book template
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a recognized SPC Mentor
- Locate a suitable Invigilator, and inform SPC of the individual and their contact information
- Invigilator requirements: The Invigilator must be a SPC Diploma Physiotherapist, a MD, a DC, a head of department or clinic, or an educator in a postsecondary institution
- The invigilator receives instructions via email from SPC directly prior to the Written component date and supervises the Candidate while writing the exam
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Current First Responder Certification
- Indirect and direct mentorship hours
- Successfully passed the Diploma Written Exam (within the past 3 years)
- The Diploma designation will not be obtained until completion of the Advanced Core Competency Course.
In order to use the title, market yourself as an SPC credentials holder or apply for any position that requires SPC credentials, you must:
- Successfully complete the Certificate and/or Diploma Level Oral Practical
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Maintain your credentials every 3 years through the Maintenance of Credentials application
Sport PT titles for SPC credential holders:
Certificate holders
Certificate Sport Physiotherapy, Certificate Sport PT or Cert. Sport PT
Diploma holders
Diploma Sport Physiotherapy, Diploma Sport PT or Dip. Sport PT
Registered International Sports Physical Therapist
Registered International Sport Physical Therapist, Registered International Sport PT or RISPT
SPC credentials (Diploma) are an approved pathway status by the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapists (IFSPT). SPC Diploma Credential holders can obtain the recognition as a Registered International Sports Physical Therapist.
IFSPT Registration Information:
If you have achieved the established level in your country’s organization in the countries listed below, you can immediately apply for registration. For SPC, the approved established level is the SPC Diploma.
This is a two-step process:
- Fill out the application form and complete payment
- Send the form to Mary Wilkinson at mwilkinson@ifspt.org
Registration cost is only 50 euros for five years. Please allow 2-3 months processing time for your registration to be processed through the review and approval.
Once your application is approved and payment is received, you will be placed on the roster of Registered International Sports Physical Therapists.
Benefits Of Registration
If you would like to take your skills to the world, this is the pathway you should choose! Registered International Sports Physical Therapists (RISPT) are immediately recognized as individuals possessing the knowledge, experience, and skills to work in the worldwide field of sports.
While RISPT status does not license an individual in other countries, it does notify that the individual has achieved the highest level of qualification in his or her country. Benefits include
- Recognition of achievement on an international level
- Increased research and teaching opportunities
- A positive effect on consultations and invited presentations
- New job opportunities
- Opportunities for increased job responsibility
- Increase in prestige within clinical and academic settings as well as professional associations and the community as a whole
- A more interesting and fulfilling career
Physiotherapists who have successfully completed the requirements for the Registered International Federation of Sport Physical Therapist (RISPT) designation in one of our International Federation of Sport Physical Therapists (IFSPT) partner countries who wish to pursue the Certificate & Diploma designations in Canada will be exempt from certain SPC Credential Program requirements. Proof of membership with IFSPT rendering RISPT status will be required and will subsequently allow for an exemption from both the Certificate & Diploma written examinations.
Physiotherapists who have successfully completed a Sports Science or Sport & Exercise Medicine Masters (or equivalent) at a post-secondary institution in Canada will also be exempt from certain SPC Credential Program requirements. Proof of successful program completion will be required and will subsequently allow for an exemption from both the Certificate & Diploma written examinations.
Certificate Equivalency Requirements
The following is required to apply, and be approved for, the certificate oral practical exam:
- Be a graduated physiotherapist
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Current First Responder Certification from a recognized National body such as SPC, Canadian Red Cross or St. John’s Ambulance
- 2 years in clinical practice
- Have sufficient practical experience working with a team or organization and at athletic events:
- A minimum of 200 hours of documented practical experience as a graduate Physiotherapist, over 4 sports
- A minimum of 75 hours in 2 sports, 1 being in a contact, combative, or collision sport, and proof of reports submitted through the registration
- Indirect and direct mentorship hours
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a recognized SPC Mentor
- Proof of membership with IFSPT (eg. RISPT), OR provide proof of enrollment in an approved Canadian post-secondary Sports Science/Sport & Exercise Medicine Masters (or equivalent)
Diploma Equivalency Requirements
The following is required to apply, and be approved for, the certificate oral practical exam:
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Be a SPC Certificate Level Credential Holder
- Current First Responder Certification
- 3 years in clinical practice
- Achieved the additional minimum of 200 hours (75 hours must be in contact, collision, or combative sport) of document practical experience (see note on hours below)
- Experience gained in at least 6 different sports, in 1 of these six 6 sports – involvement must extend over 1 full season with a team or club
- Full Season includes pre-season screening, in-season and postseason
- 1 of the sports must be in a contact, collision, or combative sport (i.e. hockey, lacrosse, soccer, judo, etc.)
- 1 sport covered over 1 season must include a minimum of 75 hours of practical experience in that sport
- Submit a “Preparation Summary” found in the Log Book template
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a recognized SPC Mentor
- Indirect and direct mentorship hours
- Proof of membership with IFSPT (eg. RISPT), OR provide proof of completion of an approved Canadian post-secondary Sports Science/Sport & Exercise Medicine Masters (or equivalent)
If you are interested in beginning the process of a SPC Credential Program Equivalency and have inquiries, please email credentials@sportphysio.ca
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