Your feedback is important!
Please review the draft Standards of Practice and provide your feedback by Saturday, May 30, 2026.
If you have any questions, please email consultation@collegept.org
About the Proposed Standard
Background
The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario is seeking comments on a draft Controlled Acts Standard.
On March 27, 2026, the Board approved a 60-day consultation for the Controlled Acts Standard. After the consultation closes, the Board will consider feedback from physiotherapists, system partners and the public and decide whether to approve the standard for use.
What does the Standard Cover?
The Controlled Acts Standard sets the requirements for physiotherapists to carry out controlled acts safely, competently, with the proper authority, and in accordance with legislation, regulation, and scope of practice.
Patients can also expect their physiotherapist to keep them informed about all aspects of their care involving controlled acts.
Important Note about Optional Wording
The standard has boxes with Optional Wording, intended to anticipate potential scope of practice changes for Ontario physiotherapists.
No changes to scope of practice have been made yet.
The Ontario government is considering changes that may allow qualified physiotherapists to order certain diagnostic imaging procedures such as MRIs, ultrasounds, and X-rays once rostered with the College. The Ministry consulted on these potential changes in September 2025.
If the standard is approved, it does not mean that the scope of practice has changed and physiotherapists can order diagnostic imaging.
The Optional Wording will only apply and be incorporated into the standard if and when the necessary legislative and regulatory changes are implemented by the government.
View the draft Controlled Acts Standard
We Want to Hear from You
The College welcomes your input. Please review the proposed standard and provide feedback by Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Please note:
- The feedback will help us determine if any changes are needed.
- The standard and feedback will be presented to the Board for approval at the June 2026 meeting.
- Feedback will be summarized. Feedback from individuals will be anonymous. Feedback on behalf of organizations will include the name of the organization, unless you would prefer otherwise.
Send Us Your Comments
Providing feedback is easy!
Send us your comments:
Please contact us if there is another way you would like to share your feedback. We are happy to work with you.
I strongly support the proposed changes that would allow qualified and appropriately rostered physiotherapists in Ontario to order certain diagnostic imaging procedures, including X-rays, diagnostic ultrasounds, and MRIs.
As a physiotherapist with extensive experience in orthopedic, pelvic health, and pediatric rehabilitation, I believe this change would significantly improve timely patient access to appropriate care, reduce unnecessary delays in diagnosis and treatment, and help alleviate pressure on family physicians, walk-in clinics, and emergency departments.
Physiotherapists are highly trained primary healthcare professionals with advanced knowledge in musculoskeletal assessment, clinical reasoning, differential diagnosis, and evidence-based management. In many clinical situations, physiotherapists are already the first point of contact for patients presenting with orthopedic and neuromuscular concerns. Allowing qualified physiotherapists to order appropriate diagnostic imaging would streamline patient care and improve healthcare efficiency.
In my clinical experience, delays in obtaining imaging often prolong patient pain, dysfunction, anxiety, and overall recovery timelines. Patients are frequently required to schedule additional physician appointments solely for imaging requisitions, even when the physiotherapist has already completed a thorough assessment and identified clear clinical indications for imaging. This creates unnecessary duplication within the healthcare system.
Expanding imaging authority for properly trained and rostered physiotherapists would:
Improve patient access to timely diagnosis and intervention
Reduce delays in care and unnecessary referrals
Improve interdisciplinary collaboration
Support more efficient use of healthcare resources
Enhance continuity of patient-centered care
Reduce burden on physicians and emergency departments
I also support the College’s emphasis on competency, additional education, and rostering requirements to ensure imaging is ordered safely, appropriately, and within physiotherapists’ scope and expertise. Maintaining clear standards, accountability, and ongoing professional development will be essential to safe implementation.
In addition, I believe these changes may also help improve public confidence in Ontario’s healthcare system. As healthcare professionals, it can be discouraging to see increasing criticism, negative social media commentary, and memes targeting the referral system, wait times, and healthcare processes in Ontario. While patients’ frustrations are understandable, many healthcare professionals across disciplines are working extremely hard within the current system to provide safe and effective care.
Ontario’s publicly funded healthcare system is built on collaboration and accessibility, and modernizing scopes of practice where appropriate is an important way to strengthen that system. Allowing qualified physiotherapists to order certain imaging investigations would help fast-track patient care, reduce unnecessary bottlenecks, and improve the overall patient experience. I believe these changes would not only benefit patients clinically, but also help demonstrate that the healthcare system is evolving to become more efficient, responsive, and patient-centered.
As a healthcare professional, I want patients to continue respecting and trusting the practitioners and systems working behind the scenes to support them. Thoughtful changes such as this can help improve both healthcare delivery and public perception by showing that Ontario is taking meaningful steps toward improving access and reducing delays in care.
Other jurisdictions in Canada and internationally have already demonstrated successful integration of physiotherapist imaging ordering privileges with positive outcomes for patients and healthcare systems.
Overall, I believe these changes represent an important and progressive step toward modernizing physiotherapy practice in Ontario and improving access to high-quality patient care.
Good luck
Warmest
Arzoo Patel
PT,DPT