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How to Prepare for the OCE

Ontario Clinical Exam

Register for the OCE

Preparing for the OCE

Technology Requirements

Exam Fees

Exam Policies

What to Expect on Exam Day

Exam Reviews and Appeals

Exam Results

For Examiners 

OCE: FAQs

Documents to Review: 

Video Resources:

Candidates may want to consider starting to prepare for the Ontario Clinical Exam well in advance of the scheduled dates. 

Consider reviewing all the information and resources on this page to help prepare. 

The Ontario Clinical Exam is a virtual exam. There is no centralized testing centre for the OCE. Candidates are strongly encouraged to complete the exam from a location in Ontario.

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

Candidates are responsible for taking all reasonable steps to ensure that they meet the technology and room requirements for their scheduled exam day. 

Exceptional circumstances such as evacuations, extensive flooding, recent fires in the home or candidates experiencing homelessness will be considered by staff, and candidates will be provided with alternative solutions. 

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 such a friend or family member's home, an office, rented office space or a hotel

Things to consider as you prepare for the OCE: 

  • The Ontario Clinical Exam is NOT an OSCE exam and is not the same exam that was previously used by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators. 

  • There will be no hands-on demonstration of clinical skills and nobody will be playing the role of a patient. 

  • As the Ontario Clinical Exam draws on the candidate’s knowledge to provide an answer to a specific scenario (structured based interview), reviewing the College Standards and ensuring they are applied in practice is one of the most effective ways that a candidate can prepare for the OCE.
     
  • Some candidates may find it useful to review tools related to clinical reasoning or practice reflection. It is important to note that while these resources may be helpful in preparing for a structured interview exam, the questions in these resources will not be asked in the OCE.
  • Candidates might consider carefully reviewing the College standards, resources, e-learning modules, FAQs, blogs and cases of the month that are available on the website. A full list of suggested resources is available at the bottom of this page.

Please note: the College does not endorse or support any exam preparation courses offered by private companies.

Review the Following to Understand OCE Development & Structure: 

White arrow on orange circle Essential Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada

The Ontario Clinical Examination is based on the Essential Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada (2017). This is the most recent competency profile for the physiotherapy profession.

Physiotherapist Essential Competencies

White arrow on orange circleExam Blueprint

The primary function of the blueprint is to describe how the OCE is being developed. Specifically, the blueprint provides explicit instructions and guidelines on which competencies are to be measured in the examination and to confirm that the exam is appropriately assessing a particular topic. The blueprint also outlines the competencies to be examined in the context of specific areas of practice.

Download: Ontario Clinical Exam Blueprint


Review the Following to Prepare for Exam Day:

White arrow on orange circleWebinars: How to Prepare for the OCE & Answering Your Questions About the OCE

The How to Prepare for the OCE webinar outlines the structure of the Ontario Clinical Exam and provides ways that you can prepare for the exam.

The Answering Your Questions About the OCE webinar provides answers to common questions from candidates about setting up the exam space, the technology requirements and the exam structure. 

You should carefully review these webinars before your exam date.

How to Prepare for the OCE

Answering Your Questions About the OCE

White arrow on orange circleCandidate Technology Requirements and Room Set Up Requirements

The Ontario Clinical Exam is a virtual exam and candidates are responsible for making sure they can meet the technology requirements to take the exam. 

Candidates will take the exam from a location of their choice and are also responsible for making sure their exam room is set up appropriately.

You must carefully review the following documents before exam day:

We have also created two short videos that summarize the candidate technology requirements and room set up requirements. Please review these videos in addition to the complete documents above. 


More Information About the Exam:

White arrow on orange circleExam Structure

  • The Ontario Clinical Exam will be a two-part exam that will take most candidates no more than three hours to complete. We expect that each part of the exam will take candidates one and a half hours to complete.
  • The OCE will use a structured interview format, with two College-approved examiners assessing each candidate. Each examiner will be responsible for asking the candidate specific questions. Neither examiner will play the role of a patient at any point during the exam.

  • Candidates will be provided with scenarios that require them to draw on their own knowledge to provide an appropriate answer given the situation.
  • The OCE is not an OSCE. There will be no hands-on demonstration of clinical skills and candidates will not move stations throughout the exam.
  • The exam sessions will be recorded.

Candidate Demo Site Information

Candidates should spend some time familiarizing themselves with the exam delivery platform before exam day. There is a demo site available for candidates to use. 

Candidate demo site link: https://demo.cpo.practique.net/

Login information:
ID: Training
Password: thisisademo 

Candidates should also watch the exam delivery platform demonstration video before their exam day. The video shows candidates how to use the exam delivery platform for the virtual Ontario Clinical Exam.

OCE: Structure and Samples

About Part 1: Ontario Clinical Exam 

Two case studies will be presented to the candidate based on two different clinical and practice scenarios. Candidates will have to analyze the scenario and respond to the questions.   

Each case will follow a standard template and approach to ensure consistency.   

Each case will include unique considerations as it relates to a patient’s presenting condition. Every candidate will receive at least one case which focuses on the Musculoskeletal System where the patient is attending care at a rehabilitation facility or private practice facility. 

Sample Case Study

Case 1: 

1. Accepting the patient (assess personal knowledge and appropriateness for physiotherapy)  
2. Informed consent 
3. Clinical examination
4. Clinical impression and recommendations

Case 2: 

5. Developing a treatment plan 
6. Developing goals, patient collaboration 
7. Collaboration, consultation, and referral to others  
8. Monitoring, reassessing, and modifying the plan, and/or promoting self-management 
9. Discharge planning or transitioning care 


About Part 2: Ontario Clinical Exam 

Vignettes (a short one-paragraph situation) will be presented to the candidate for each of the question topics below to assess the candidate’s application of the standards of the profession, Code of Ethics, and critical reasoning skills.

Sample Vignette

A vignette will be presented to the candidate for each of the following core questions. 

1. Supervision and assigning care to support personnel (PTAs, Rehabilitation Assistants) 
2. Expectations regarding fees, billing and account oversight   
3. Addressing discrepancies between employer expectations and professional standards  
4. Conflict resolution 
5. Confidentiality and privacy  
6. Infection control and prevention 
7. Professional boundaries 
8. Ethical issues 
9. Prioritizing care and time management 
10. Physical and emotional safety of the patient 
11. Communication strategies 

To Review: College Standards and Resources

Carefully read and review the following standards, rules, FAQs and supporting documents. Consider how you follow the standards and resources in your practice and refer to specific examples when answering the exam questions.

Standards:


Resources: 


Clinical Reasoning/Practice Reflection Resources
See a Complete List: All Standards, Rules and Resources


E-learning Modules:
 

Questions? Email exam@collegept.org or call 1-800-583-5885 ext. 215.

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