Appeal Policy

Date Effective: April 20, 2005

Date Revised: December 10, 2019, August 18, 2022, December 17, 2025

Scope

This policy applies to candidates who wish to appeal an Administrative Reconsideration which has been denied.

Principles

The Appeal process is grounded in the principles of fairness, transparency, timeliness, and accountability. It has been developed following provincial fair access and registration legislation and reflects the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators’ (CAPR) commitment to supporting candidates through equitable procedures in a reliable and credible examination system. The process is designed to ensure that all decisions are evidence-based, procedurally sound, and consistently applied.

Candidates are responsible for making informed decisions about their readiness to take the exam. If a candidate experiences ill health or extraordinary circumstances that would reasonably be expected to affect their performance, they are strongly encouraged to reschedule or withdraw prior to the exam.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the standards, eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures governing CAPR’s review of Administrative Reconsideration decisions through the Appeal process. This policy is designed to provide candidates with a clear and fair mechanism to seek redress when they wish to appeal their Administrative Reconsideration decision. By establishing a transparent and consistent process, the policy ensures that all candidates are treated equitably, while the integrity and validity of the CAPR assessment process is maintained.

Policy

1. Appeal of Administrative Reconsideration Decision

1.1 Eligibility

Candidates whose request for Administrative Reconsideration has been denied may appeal that decision.

In order for an Appeal to be granted, a candidate must demonstrate that the Administrative Reconsideration decision

was unreasonable based on the evidence available.
did not follow fair procedure, or
did not comply with the Administrative Reconsideration Policy.

1.2 Applying for Appeal

Applications for Appeal must be submitted via the CAPR Client Portal within thirty (30) calendar days of the Administrative Reconsideration outcome notification.

Appeal reviews are paper based and oral submissions are not accepted.

Applications must include:

A written statement outlining the grounds for the appeal.
An explanation as to why the Administrative Reconsideration decision was unreasonable, did not follow fair procedure, or did not comply with the Administrative Reconsideration Policy.
The relevant application fee.

1.3 Decision-Making Process

Upon submission of a completed application for Appeal:

An Appeal Panel, composed of at least three (3) members, will be appointed by the National Director, Evaluation Services from the Appeals Resource Group.
Within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of the application, or as soon as possible thereafter, the Appeal Panel will convene to review the Appeal. The candidate will be advised of the approximate date on which the Appeal Panel will meet.
The Appeal Panel will review
- The written statement submitted by the candidate.
- The Administrative Reconsideration decision.
- Any other information deemed relevant, which includes but is not limited to:
  - internal CAPR information and documentation.
  - any communication submitted to CAPR.

A written decision, including rationale, will be issued to the candidate by the National Director, Evaluation Services within thirty (30) calendar days of the Appeal Panel’s review of the Appeal.

1.4 Possible Outcomes

Appeal Denied

The appeal will be denied if the Appeal Panel upholds the Administrative Reconsideration decision. The failed exam attempt remains on the candidate’s record.

Appeal Granted

The appeal will be granted if the Appeal Panel overturns the Administrative Reconsideration decision. The failed exam attempt is removed from the candidate’s record.

If the Appeal is granted based on administrative issues, the candidate will also:

receive a refund of the Administrative Reconsideration and Appeal application fees.
have the exam fee for their next attempt waived.

NOTE: Exam results are NOT changed through the Appeal process (i.e., a ‘Fail’ will not be changed to a ‘Pass’).

1.5 Finality

The Appeal decision is final and binding. No further review is available through CAPR.

2. Review and Revision

This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as needed to reflect changes in best practices related to the Appeal process.