Self-Reporting: It’s the Law

It is a legal requirement for physiotherapists in Ontario to file a report with the College in a timely manner.

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Why PTs Have to Self-Report

Some information from these reports will appear on the Public Register to help patients make informed decisions about their care. By law, regulatory colleges are required to post all charges and findings under the Criminal Code of Canada, the Controlled Drug and Substances Act and the Health Insurance Act on the Public Register. Other charges, such as bail restrictions, will be assessed based on their relevancy to the physiotherapist’s ability to practice safely and may or may not be posted.

Remember, it is a legal requirement to make self-reports. Not doing so could result in disciplinary action.

Have Questions?

If you have questions about making a self-report, please contact the Practice Advisor for confidential advice at 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241 or email advice@collegept.org.

When Physiotherapists are Required to Self-Report

Offences

You are required to file a report with the College within 30 days of being charged or being found guilty of an offence in any jurisdiction.

All major offences including impaired driving, dangerous driving (including excessive speeding), driving while suspended, refusing to give a breath or blood sample, or failing to stop at the scene of an accident need to be reported. Under the law you are required to report traffic violations and the College will determine if they are relevant to your practice as a physiotherapist.

If you are unsure if an offence needs to be reported, please contact the Practice Advisor for guidance at 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241. When in doubt, it is better to make a self-report than not report. Not all offences will appear on the Public Register.

Charges

If you have been charged with an offence or found guilty of an offence under the Criminal Code, Controlled Drug and Substances Act or the Health Insurance Act, you are required to report this information to the College as soon as reasonably possible. These charges will appear on the Public Register.

If you are unsure if an offence needs to be reported, please contact the Practice Advisor for guidance at 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241. When in doubt, it is better to make a self-report than not report.

Bail or Similar Restrictions

If you are subject to bail conditions or similar restrictions imposed by a court or lawful authority, you are required to file a report with the College within 30 days of being made aware of the restrictions.

If you are unsure if restrictions need to be reported, please contact the Practice Advisor for guidance at 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241. When in doubt, it is better to make a self-report than not report. Not all bail conditions or restrictions will appear on the Public Register.

Professional Misconduct, Incompetence and Incapacity

You must report findings of professional misconduct, incompetency or incapacity related to any profession in any jurisdiction to the College within 30 days. Make a self-report

Negligence or Malpractice

If you are subject to a finding of professional negligence and/or malpractice by a court in any jurisdiction, you must make a self-report with the College as soon as possible after receiving notice of the finding.

Professional negligence and malpractice are decided by civil courts. The filing of the lawsuit is not considered a finding. You do not have to file a self-report unless the court has decided that professional negligence or malpractice did occur.

Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQs: Self-Reporting

What kinds of charges must you self-report to the College?

By law, regulated health professionals must report all charges and major offences to their regulator.

Examples of the kinds of self-reports include things like distracted driving, driving under the influence, dangerous driving, disturbances of the peace, theft, assault, fraud and traffic offences. The College will review all self-reports and determine if they are relevant to your practice as a physiotherapist.

PTs are also required to report all bail conditions to the College. However, not all charges will appear on the Public Register.

If you are unsure if an offence needs to be reported, please contact the Practice Advisor for guidance at 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241. When in doubt, it is better to make a self-report than not report.
How do I make a self-report to the College?

You can make a self-report to the College at any time of the year by going to the College website and completing the self-report form.

Please note that during annual renewal you will be asked if you have anything to report and sign a declaration that you have answered all questions truthfully. If you have not already made a self-report and have been charged with an offence, you must report it.

If you have questions about what you must report and how, please feel free to contact practiceadvice@collegept.org or 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241.
What kinds of charges appear on the Public Register?

Under the law, regulatory colleges must post all charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, Controlled Drug and Substances Act and The Health Insurance Act on the Public Register. Other kinds of charges (including bail conditions) are assessed as to whether they are relevant to a physiotherapist's suitability to practice and may or may not be posted.
I have been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI for alcohol or other drugs). Do I need to report the charge to the College?

Yes, driving under the influence is considered a major offence. Physiotherapists must report all charges and other major offences to the College.
I successfully appealed my DUI charge. Can the information about this be removed from the Public Register?

Yes, if you were able to successfully appeal or have a charge dropped you can request that it be removed from the Public Register. To do this, you must make a written request to the College after having successfully appealed the court’s decision (if for example the charges were dropped) or if you receive a pardon. Along with the written request to remove the information from the Public Register, you must submit documentation that proves you have received a pardon or that the charges have been dropped. Regulated Health Professional Act 85.6.4 (6).
Do I need to report to the College that a complaint has been made about me or that I am involved in an investigation with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario?

No, you do not to need to report if you are the subject of a complaint, involved in an investigation or have a case before a College Committee. The College already has this information on record.
Does the College investigate every self-report that it receives?

No, the College reviews all self-reports and determines the level of risk posed to the public. The College then decides whether or not to investigate a self-report.
What if my neighbour made a claim in court that I was liable for her slipping on my walkway? I plan to settle out of court. Do I need to report this?

No, you do not need to report a settlement that did not go to court. You are only required to report charges or offences, bail conditions and disciplinary findings from other regulators, not civil litigation settled out of court. Only a court finding needs to reported.
What if I am being sued in court by a former employee for wrongful dismissal. Do I need to report this to the College?

No, if you are disputing a case in civil court there is no finding. If or when there is a finding by a court, you will need to report the finding.
I had a claim made against me in small claims court. Do I need to report the claim to the College?

No, filing a claim in court does not constitute a finding. A finding is the judgement from the court.
I have been fined under the property standards by-law for not building my yard fence to code. Do I need to report the finding?

Yes, a fine means a decision was made under the by-law, so you must report it. However, the information may not be posted on the Public Register in this instance. The College’s Registrar considers all information as it relates practicing as a physiotherapist before deciding whether or not to make it available to the public.

Mandatory Reporting: Learn More

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