How to Register, Eligibility and Technology Requirements

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How to Register, Eligibility and Technology Requirements

Important note for new graduates: You must have a copy of your degree or have verified that your program has submitted confirmation of your degree to the College before submitting an application for the Ontario Clinical Exam.

Applications without proof of graduation will not be accepted. Your application will be automatically withdrawn, and your exam fees returned.

Candidates will be assigned to the first available exam and must pay the full exam fee of $1,985 during registration. Candidates will not have the option to select exam dates. If you would like to be added to a waitlist for an earlier exam, please email exam@collegept.org.

We will not review your application until all required documents and information have been received. Incomplete applications will contribute to delays in our review process and candidates may be assigned to later exam dates.

All supporting documentation for accommodations must be uploaded during registration.

Ontario Clinical Exam (OCE) Dates

Exam DateRegistration DeadlineResults Released
Friday, October 25, 2024 (Full) December 3, 2024
Saturday, October 26, 2024 (Full) December 3, 2024
Friday, January 24, 2025 (Full) March 24, 2025
Saturday, January 25, 2025 (Full) March 24, 2025
Friday, March 28, 2025 (Full) May 8, 2025
Saturday, March 29, 2025 (Full) May 8, 2025
Saturday, May 31, 2025(Full) July 24, 2025
Sunday, June 1, 2025(Full) July 24, 2025
Saturday, October 18, 2025 July 17, 2025 November 30, 2025
Sunday, October 19, 2025 July 17, 2025 November 30, 2025

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates are encouraged to carefully review the Exam Eligibility Policy to determine if they can register to attempt the Ontario Clinical Exam.

In Canada, candidates have a total of three attempts to successfully complete a clinical exam. Previous attempts at any clinical exam in any Canadian province or any alternative pathway with a pass/fail component count toward a candidate’s total of three attempts. Your clinical exam attempts do not reset with the OCE.

Exam Eligibility Policy

Who Is Eligible?

  • You have successfully completed a degree in physiotherapy and the Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE) written exam within the last five years*
  • You previously held an Independent Practice certificate of registration in Ontario and are required to successfully complete a clinical competency examination to be able to return to practice
  • The Registration Committee has directed that you attempt the Ontario Clinical Exam
  • You hold an Independent Practice Certificate of Registration which has a term, condition or limitation that requires you to successfully complete the Ontario Clinical Exam
  • You are the subject of an Undertaking or Agreement with the College which requires the successful completion of the Ontario Clinical Exam

*All candidates must have successfully completed the PCE-Written in the last five years to be eligible for the Ontario Clinical Exam, unless directed to take the OCE by the Registration Committee.

  • You previously attempted any of the following, including combinations of the three, and were unsuccessful on three or more occasions:
    • PCE-Clinical
    • Any other approved clinical exam in any other Canadian province
    • Any alternative pathways to registration with a pass/fail component in other Canadian province
  • You currently hold a Provisional Practice Certificate (or equivalent) in another Canadian province without also being registered in Ontario, unless that province has approved the Ontario Clinical Exam as an acceptable clinical exam.
  • You completed the PCE-Written more than five years ago. In this case, you have the option to retake the PCE-Written, and then apply for the OCE after you successfully pass the written exam. Please contact exam@collegept.org to receive a letter to present to the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators to allow another written exam attempt.

How to Register for the Ontario Clinical Exam

Candidates register for the exam in the PT Portal.

  1. Navigate to the PT Portal.
  2. Select Sign In.
  3. Click Sign up now.
  4. Provide an email address to receive a verification code.
  5. Type (do not paste) the verification code. Click Verify.
  6. Choose a password.
  7. Provide contact information to complete the account creation process.

How to Register for the Exam

Note: The registration form will not autosave and must be completed in one sitting. For the best experience, please make sure you have read all exam policies and collected your required documents before completing the form.

  1. Sign in to the PT Portal and select Register for Ontario Clinical Exam in the top right corner.
  2. Complete the form and click Submit.You will receive an email to confirm your application was received.
  3. The College will now process your application, which can take up to four weeks. Within four weeks, you will receive an email from the College with your assigned exam date. We will also follow up with you by email if your application is incomplete or if you are ineligible for the exam.

Required Information and Documentation

  • Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) Candidate/Client ID (a 5 or 7-digit number)
  • Confirmation that you read and understood all applicable policies
  • Request for accommodation and supporting documentation (if applicable)
  • Any name change documents and/or affidavit (if applicable)

Accommodations

We are committed to providing accessible and equitable services to all exam candidates. We will make the Ontario Clinical Exam (OCE) accessible to persons who require accommodations including those with disabilities, special needs, or other circumstances, including making arrangements for alternative accommodations available to candidates who have provided evidence of documented needs.

Important: Requests for accommodations must be identified by the candidate when they complete the registration form to ensure that resources can be allocated appropriately and equitably. All supporting documentation must be received at the time of registration. After you submit your request for accommodation, College staff may contact you for additional information.

The College will review requests for accommodations on a case-by-case basis to ensure that candidates seeking accommodations receive a fair and equal chance to demonstrate the required knowledge, skills and abilities for entry to practice, without compromising the exam’s reliability, validity or security. Accommodation requests are confidential.

Exam Accommodations Policy

Exam Fees

The fee to take the Ontario Clinical Exam is $1,985. Exam fees are based solely on a cost recovery model for the development and running of the exam.

Candidates will pay the entire exam fee at the time of registration. Registration forms will not be accepted unless the fee has been paid in full.

The College only accepts Visa, Mastercard or Interac Online (First Nations Bank of Canada or TD Canada Trust or RBC Royal Bank). We do not accept cheques, money orders or cash.

Exam Fees Policy

Technology Requirements

The OCE is a virtual exam. Candidates will complete the exam from a location of their choice, like their home or office, using an approved device of their choice. There is no centralized testing centre.

It is strongly recommended that candidates complete the exam in Ontario.

Candidates must review the Candidate Technology Requirements and the Room Set Up Requirements well before their exam date to ensure they can meet the requirements.

Candidates who cannot meet the technology requirements should contact the exam team directly to review their options. See technology accommodation below.

Candidate Technology Requirements

Room Set Up Requirements

The complete candidate technology requirements are outlined in the Candidate Technology Requirements document. Please carefully review this document before your exam. Some important reminders are listed below.

  • It is your responsibility to test your device and internet connection and resolve any issues that you encounter before your exam day.
  • All testing should be done using the same device you will be using on exam day and from the same location where you will be sitting on exam day.
  • If you are using a work device, be sure to check the firewall settings before the exam to be sure that your webcam, screen share, headset and microphone will function properly. Your workplace may have disabled these functions for security purposes on your work device and you may not have the administrative access to change them.
  • Make sure you turn off any notifications that may pop up on your laptop or computer during the exam.
  • Reboot your computer. If you don’t turn off your computer often, it is strongly recommended that you do so before your exam date so that your device can complete any system updates. A reboot can often solve minor glitches.
  • Complete all required tests a few times leading up to your exam so that if there is an issue you have time to correct it. Take a screen shot of your completed tests that includes the date and time and keep this for your records.
  • Clear Cache. It is recommended to clear your cache before exam day. This will help with downloading the exam.

  • You can only use a PC or Mac laptop or desktop computer. Laptops and computers should always be plugged into a power outlet during the exam.
  • You CANNOT use a tablet or phone. Chromebooks, iPads, tablets, mobile phones or smartphones do not meet the exam requirements and must not be used for the exam.
  • You must have a functional microphone – built-in, external, or headset. A headset is strongly encouraged to improve sound quality for both candidates and examiners and reduce background noise during the exam.
  • A portable webcam is required. Your camera must be turned on for the entire exam. You will be required to move around the room with your webcam to complete a mandatory room security check before starting the exam.
  • You are NOT allowed to use additional screens or devices during the exam. You can use ONE desktop or laptop screen only. If an additional screen is detected, it will be logged as a candidate conduct incident and could impact your ability to complete the exam.

We have created additional tip sheets to help candidates troubleshoot common issues with both Mac and Windows devices.

Mac Tip Sheet

Ontario Clinical Exam (OCE) Technology Tips for Mac Users

Windows Tip Sheet

Technology Tips for Windows Users

During the Exam You Cannot

Log in to the exam from any device other than a laptop or desktop

Use a hotspot or mobile phone connection as the Wi-Fi source for the exam

Intentionally tamper with technology

Have any applications or windows open on your device, other than the exam platform window

Have any applications or windows open on your cell phone

Use audio or screen recording/capturing applications or devices

A Cell Phone is Mandatory

You must have your cell phone with you during the exam. College staff will contact you on your cell phone if they notice a delay in your login or if you are disconnected from the platform.

Your phone must be:

  • Face down
  • Out of arms reach
  • On Silent/Do Not Disturb and/or Focus mode

All apps on your phone must be closed before the start of the exam. The proctor will check your phone as part of the room scan to verify that you are following the rules.

The exam team is monitoring your login to the platform so we may call you if we notice downloads are taking longer than expected.

To avoid missing our call, please add the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario phone number (416-591-3828 ext. 215) as a contact and allow notifications from this phone number while your phone is on Do Not Disturb or Focus mode.

You cannot use your phone during the exam for any reason other than accepting or making calls to the College for support purposes.

Technology Accommodation

Technology accommodation is meant to reduce barriers for candidates living in areas where internet access or infrastructure is limited or underdeveloped, such as rural or Northern areas of Ontario.

Technology accommodation is only for candidates who have exhausted all other possible options for meeting the technology requirements. We cannot provide technology accommodation based on preference only, as there is no centralized testing centre for the OCE.

Candidates must take all reasonable steps to make sure they can meet the technology requirements on exam day.

Reasonable steps may include:

  • Upgrading devices or seeking support to resolve the issue (retailer, internet provider, device support)
  • Buying or borrowing devices and accessories including ethernet cables or adapters, or internet boosters
  • Upgrading an internet plan, or speaking with your provider to troubleshoot issues
  • Completing the exam from a different location.

If you cannot meet the technology requirements and would like to inquire about receiving a technology accommodation, please contact us at exam@collegept.org.