Top Tips to Get Ready for Annual Renewal  

Annual renewal is coming up in just a few months. Some pre-planning can go a long way in ensuring your renewal process is smooth and stress-free. 

In this blog post, we share the top things you can do now to set yourself up for success when annual renewal opens on February 2, 2026.  

Annual renewal and the Professional Issues Self-Assessment (PISA) are due no later than March 31, 2026.  

1. Mark Your Calendar 

Completing annual renewal early is the best way to ensure College staff have time to help you if you run into any problems.  

Why not block off some time now to do it in February. This simple step can save you stress later on.   

All physiotherapists (those with an Independent Practice Certificate) must complete annual renewal and PISA.  

Physiotherapist residents (those with a Provisional Practice Certificate) just have to do PISA – annual renewal is not required. 

2. Make Sure Your Employment Info Is Current 

Keeping your practice locations and contact information up-to-date helps patients find you. That’s why all physiotherapists are required to update their information within 30 days of any change – for example if you start a new job.   

Save yourself time during annual renewal by checking your profile on the Public Register now. Your current practice locations should be there, and an end date should appear beside any practice location you no longer work at. If anything is out of date, log in to the PT Portal to make these changes.  

If the place where you work has changed its name or address, you’ll need to create a new entry. 

When you complete annual renewal, you’ll be asked to confirm your work sites. Make sure all your work site information is correct before moving to the next part of the form. The work sites you enter here will appear again when you’re asked about practice hours.  

3. Check Your Practice Hours  

During annual renewal, you’ll be asked to declare how many practice hours you worked during 2025.  

Paid work related to physiotherapy, including in clinical settings, consultation, research, administration, academia and sales, count toward practice hours. You can also claim up to 30 professional development/activity hours per year for volunteer work, continuing education or participation in a physiotherapy association or regulatory body.  

Take a few minutes now to reflect on the various physiotherapy-related jobs you’ve had in the last year and how many hours you worked at each. What about volunteer work or professional development?  

Making some quick notes now can save you time when it comes to declaring your practice hours at annual renewal.  

All physiotherapists with an Independent Practice Certificate are required to have worked at least 1,200 practice hours over the previous five years. There is an exception if you registered less than five years ago.  

If you don’t meet the practice hour requirement, you can still complete annual renewal. The College will follow up with you after the renewal period to talk about options to maintain your registration.  

4. Set Aside Time to Do PISA 

Along with annual renewal, all physiotherapists must complete PISA.  

PISA is short – just 10 to 15 multiple-choice questions.  

Although it’s not marked, it’s an important learning opportunity – and completing it is essential to maintain your registration.  

Each year, PISA questions are developed to cover key issues in Ontario physiotherapy.  

By taking time to fully think through the questions and review the standards and resources, you can ensure you get the most out of the PISA exercise.  

Talking about the questions with your colleagues is another great way to deepen your understanding.  

Please note, PISA and annual renewal are separate tasks – each with their own link. Completing one doesn’t automatically mean you’ve done the other. So double check that you’ve really done both before crossing them off your to-do list.  

5. Know Your Options if You Don’t Plan to Continue Practicing 

Taking some time away from physiotherapy? Maybe you’re switching careers or becoming a parent?  

If you’re not planning to continue practicing in Ontario, you can choose to resign your registration instead of renewing.  

Just remember, if you want to come back in the future, you’ll have to meet the requirements at that time. 

Before making a decision, review the requirement for returning to practice. Then, if you still want to resign your registration, log in to the PT Portal and submit a resignation notice.  

Alternatively, you can renew your registration. You do not have to be working to be registered with the College, so this could be good option if you’re going on short-term leave.  

Remember, as long as you’re registered, you’ll still have complete PISA, Jurisprudence and meet the practice hour requirement – even if you’re not working. 

6. Check Your Liability Insurance  

To register with the College, physiotherapists must have liability insurance that includes:  

• a minimum coverage of $5 million dollars for the annual policy period 

• a liability limit of at least $5 million dollars per incident 

• no additional terms, conditions or exclusions, other than standard 

• no deductible 

• tail insurance for a minimum of 10 years 

This requirement protects you and your patients.  

You’ll be asked to confirm that your liability insurance meets the requirements at annual renewal. Consider reaching out to your provider now to ensure it hasn’t lapsed. That way you’re ready to breeze through annual renewal when the time comes.  

We’re Here to Help 

We’ll email you with important details about annual renewal and PISA when they open on February 2.  

You can also visit the College’s website for more information and FAQs – or contact the Registration Team at registration@collegept.org or 1-800-583-5885 ext. 222.