To become a physical therapist in Canada you must meet specific education and training requirements, successfully complete a national physical therapy competency exam (the PCE) and be registered and licensed by the College that regulates physical therapy in the province in which you want to practice.

Education
In Canada, 13 universities offer physical therapy programs. Canadian physical therapy education and training is intensive and includes: physiology, bio-mechanics, pathology, pharmacology, x-ray diagnosis and therapeutic exercise and a clinical internship.

Currently, the minimum regulatory education requirement is a Bachelors degree. By 2010 it will be a Masters. Most universities have already transitioned to a Masters of physical therapy program, which requires an undergraduate degree to qualify for admission. Prospective students should contact the universities directly for specific entrance requirements.

Physical therapy competency exam
To work in most Canadian provinces/territories, Canadian physical therapy graduates must successfully complete the physiotherapy competency exam (PCE) administered by The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (the Alliance).

Internationally educated physical therapists must also successfully complete the PCE after being credentialed (see below for credentialling process). The PCE is designed to determine that a minimal entry-level standard of practice has been acquired and candidates have the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours required to practice physical therapy in Canada.

Internationally educated physical therapists
Physical Therapists educated outside of Canada (including Canadian citizens who studied abroad) must have their international education credentials/qualifications reviewed to ensure they are equivalent to Canadian-educated physiotherapists and meet provincial regulatory College requirements. Credentialling is performed by the Alliance on behalf of the provincial regulatory colleges.

Licensing and registration
The exam and credentialling processes do not give individuals the right to practice or call themselves a physical therapist in Canada. To practice legally and use the title ‘physical therapist’ an individual must be registered/licensed by the physical therapy regulator in the province in which they wish to practice. To qualify for registration, applicants must meet the College’s entry to practice requirements. Each College sets education, training and entry to practice requirements for its particular province. To maintain their license, physical therapists must practice within the Colleges practice, professional and ethical standards and renew their license annually.

In Alberta, physical therapists are regulated by the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta. For information and details on our registration requirements see our applicants section.