Educated Outside of Canada



If you received your physiotherapy education or training outside of Canada and are not currently registered to practice, below are resources with information about how to become a physiotherapist in Canada and how to register in the province of Ontario.

To practice physiotherapy in Canada, you must be licensed by a regulatory College. Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is a regulated profession in Canada. This means that by law you are required to be licensed to practice. The responsibility for licensing physiotherapists is held by provincial and territorial Regulatory Colleges. 

Questions?

Registration Team
Contact the Registration Team for assistance at registration@collegept.org 
or call 1-800-583-5885 ext. 222 or 416-591-3828 ext. 222. 

Alternate Formats or Translation
Should you require information in an alternate format or another language,
please contact communications@collegept.org 
or call 1-800-583-5885 ext. 234 or 416-591-3828 ext. 234.

Step 1: Have Your Credentials Assessed

The first step to becoming a registered physiotherapist in Ontario is to have your credentials assessed by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) and complete a language assessment to demonstrate proficiency in English or French.

CAPR is a credentialling and assessment agency that provides evaluation services for all of the regulatory colleges in Canada. CAPR has an updated language proficiency policy, effective
April 1, 2023.

The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators
1243 Islington Avenue, Suite 501, Toronto, Ontario M8X 1Y9
Tel: 416-234-8800 |  Fax: 416- 234-8820

www.alliancept.org

Step 2: Take the Written Exam

After completing the credentialling process you will need to take the Physiotherapy Competency Exam - Written Component. The written exam is administered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR). 

There are two steps:

  1. First you must successfully complete the Written Exam 
  2. After completing the Written Exam you are eligible to apply for a Provisional Practice Certificate of registration with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario and can work under supervision until you complete a College-approved clinical exam. This is optional. 

Important: 

To receive a Provisional Practice Certificate of Registration with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, applicants must be registered for the next administration of the Ontario Clinical Exam.

If you decide to apply for Provisional Practice, please ensure that you submit an application for the Ontario Clinical Exam first. You will be required to pay the full exam fee of $1,985 at the time of registration. You will not receive a Provisional Practice certificate if you are not registered for the exam.

Physiotherapy Competency Exam: Additional Information

Step 3: Take the Ontario Clinical Exam (OCE)

The second part of the exam process is known as a clinical exam. You must successfully complete the clinical exam to be able to register for Independent Practice with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Independent Practice means that you no longer have to practice under a College-approved supervisor. 

The clinical exam is administered by the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario and is called the Ontario Clinical Exam, or OCE. 

You must register for the OCE before you apply for a Provisional Practice certificate, and you must successfully complete the OCE before you can apply for Independent Practice. 

Learn more about the OCE

Step 4: Get Registered with an Independent Practice Certificate to Practice Physiotherapy in Ontario

Learn more about the steps to register for an Independent Practice Certificate with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. You can apply once you have successfully completed your exams.

Steps to Register with the College Apply for Registration (PT Portal)