News
In January 2026, the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) plans to launch a new single licensure exam called the Canadian Physiotherapy Exam (CPTE). This exam will combine the written and clinical components into one exam.
The Board of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario supports the adoption of CAPR’s new single exam, subject to the development of appropriate transitional provisions.
Adopting this single-step exam will change the pathway to become a physiotherapist in Ontario.
Single Exam Coming In 2026
CAPR plans to start administering the Canadian Physiotherapy Exam in January 2026.
The Canadian Physiotherapy Exam will:
- Be offered eight times in 2026
- Be conducted virtually over one day
- Combine written and clinical components with a single pass mark
- Evaluate critical competencies necessary for safe and effective physiotherapy practice
The cost of the new CAPR exam has not yet been finalized. However, CAPR has indicated the exam will not cost more than $2,800.
Canadian Physiotherapy Exam (CPTE)
Transition Period
At this point, CAPR intends to continue to offer the written exam until at least the fall of 2025. As a result, the College plans to continue to offer the Ontario Clinical Exam (OCE) until at least March 2026, and longer if needed.
This means there will be overlap between the wind-down of the two-exam process and the launch of the single-exam process.
Currently, after completing CAPR’s written exam, applicants:
- Register for the Ontario Clinical Exam run by the College.
- Can apply for a Provisional Practice Certificate so they can practice as a physiotherapist resident under supervision.
With the adoption of a new single exam, the pathway to licensure would change.
During the transition to a single exam, applicants and physiotherapist residents may pursue the following options. All options are time-limited and subject to deadlines and available exam seats.
Option 1: Two-Exam Pathway
- Successfully complete the current CAPR written exam (written component of the Physiotherapy Competency Examination). The last administration will be November 26, 2025.
- Register for either the College’s Ontario Clinical Exam or CAPR’s new Canadian Physiotherapy Exam (subject to the eligibility criteria for each organization).
- If taking the OCE: Apply for a Provisional Practice Certificate, which allows you to practice as a physiotherapist resident under supervision. You must be registered in the Provisional Practice Class in order to take the Ontario Clinical Exam. Learn more.
- Successfully complete either the Ontario Clinical Exam or the new CAPR single exam.
- Apply for an Independent Practice Certificate with the College.
Important things to note for this option:
- To be eligible to apply for a Provisional Practice Certificate, you must have successfully completed CAPR’s written exam by the last administration on November 26, 2025.
- Registration for the Ontario Clinical Exam will be available on a first come, first served basis. We are still determining how far into 2026 we will continue to offer the Ontario Clinical Exam.
- The new Canadian Physiotherapy Exam, administered by CAPR, begins in January 2026. The January 2026 exam has limited seats, but future exams will have more availability. CAPR estimates results will be released four to five weeks after each exam.
- Registration for the Canadian Physiotherapy Exam is expected to open in July, 2025.
What Happens If I Attempt the Ontario Clinical Exam and am unsuccessful?
Anyone who has successfully complete the PCE – Written and who is registered in the Provisional Practice Class will be guaranteed at least one attempt at the Ontario Clinical Exam. If the candidate is unsuccessful and they still have exam attempts available, they will be offered another Ontario Clinical Exam date if there are spots available. If there are not spots available, the candidate will need to attempt the Canadian Physiotherapy Exam.
Option 2: Single-Exam Pathway
- Wait and successfully complete CAPR’s new Canadian Physiotherapy Exam.
- Apply for an Independent Practice Certificate with the College.
Important things to note for this option:
- At this time, the College anticipates that if you choose this pathway, you will not be eligible to register in the Provisional Practice Class as you will not have completed the written exam. Once you successfully complete CAPR’s single, combined written and clinical exam (the Canadian Physiotherapy Exam) you will be able to register directly in the Independent Practice Class.
- The new Canadian Physiotherapy Exam, administered by CAPR, begins in January 2026. The January 2026 exam has limited seats, but future exams will have more availability. CAPR estimates results will be released four to five weeks after each exam.
- Registration for the Canadian Physiotherapy Exam is expected to open in July, 2025.
Important
Applicants who plan to register for a Provisional Practice Certificate or an Independent Practice Certificate before the end of 2025 must follow the two-exam pathway.
Applicants waiting for the new CAPR single licensure exam (Canadian Physiotherapy Exam) should be mindful that the first administration of the exam in January 2026 will have limited seats. After you complete the exam, you must wait for your results before applying for registration with the College. CAPR estimates results will be released four to five weeks after each exam.
The College’s Board of Directors will be meeting on May 13, 2025 to discuss the Ontario Clinical Exam (OCE) eligibility criteria for 2026 and to consider some additional elements relating to the new CAPR exam. Additional information will be available after that meeting. We will continue to share information about the transition that is underway as it becomes available.
Stay tuned for ongoing updates from the College and visit CAPR’s website.
Kindly request the addition of more slots for the OCE. It is disheartening for candidates like us to be left waiting for months without the opportunity to practice. Having to wait from March to December for the OCE results is exhausting and challenging, both mentally and financially.
We believe that more practice opportunities are essential to help us succeed in the exam. Sitting at home without the chance to practice for months makes it harder to pass, and it only prolongs the uncertainty we face. Many of us are struggling to maintain our livelihoods during this extended wait, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to cope in today’s economy.
We respectfully ask that you reconsider the current scheduling and explore the possibility of adding more exam slots, or at least improving the waiting period. Please take into account the stress and hardships many of us are enduring, and help us to move forward in our careers.
If someone fails will they have to redo the whole exam again? Will it be offered regularly (at least quarterly) to provide a steady stream of new registered physios? Will there still be a clinical aspect to the exam? Will the applicants be given feedback on their performance if they fail?
What if someone passed one part of the exam but failed the other part. Will they need to write the whole exam again? If yes, this would be mentally tiring and financially difficult for candidates. I hope there would be a midway and a suitable option to boost candidate’s confidence to pass the exam and become a fully registered PT in Canada.
Way overdue . Change the exam to one only ASAP