Ontario Clinical Exam
Ontario Clinical Exam
What is the Ontario Clinical Exam?
After completing a degree in physiotherapy and the written exam, the Ontario Clinical Exam (OCE) is a prospective physiotherapist’s last step before they can apply for an Independent Practice Certificate with the College.
The exam is administered virtually and is available in English and French. It explores a candidate’s knowledge, skills and abilities using a structured interview format.
Candidates complete the exam from a location of their choice, such as their home or office, using a device of their choice, as long as technology and room set up requirements are met. The OCE is not delivered at a centralized testing site.
Important Information About the Ontario Clinical Exam
At its March 2025 meeting, the Board of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario indicated an intention to adopt the new national physiotherapy exam being developed by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR), pending the development of appropriate service contracts and transition plans.
Adopting this single-step examination will change the path to entry-to-practice in the coming months and the College will now begin planning our next steps.
At this point, we anticipate that CAPR will 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.
At the same time, we understand that CAPR will begin administering the new single exam in January 2026. This means there will be overlap between the wind-down of the two-exam process and the launch of the single-exam process.
We appreciate the impact of this decision on candidates and the importance of providing clear information to support planning and to provide as smooth an experience as possible.
By the end of May 2025, we will be able to provide more clarity and certainty regarding what the paths to licensure will look like so you can choose between the two options available. We remain committed to provide you with as much information as we can as the transition steps become clearer and will release this comprehensive transition plan soon.
How to Register, Eligibility and Technology Requirements
View upcoming exam dates, learn how to register and make sure you meet technology and room set-up requirements.
Preparing for the OCE
Access resources to help you study and prepare for the exam including checklists, guides, the candidate demo site, sample questions, webinars and more. Learn what the expect on exam day, from how to start the exam to what happens in the event of a technical issue.
Results, Reviews, Appeals & Policies
Get information on how and when to access your exam results. View a complete list of exam policies.