Misconduct Policy

Date Effective: December 17, 2025

Scope

This policy applies to all candidates involved in any stage of the Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE) process.

Principles

The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) is committed to ensuring that the CPTE is administered fairly and securely. This policy is grounded in the principles of fairness, integrity, accountability, transparency, confidentiality, proportionality, and continuous improvement. CAPR believes that all candidates deserve a fair and equitable examination process, and that any concerns related to misconduct or exam security are addressed through consistent and objective procedures.

CAPR requires all candidates to follow the Rules of Conduct and expects all candidates in the exam process to act honestly and ethically. Investigations into alleged misconduct are carried out with respect for confidentiality and privacy, while ensuring that candidates are informed, given an opportunity to respond, and treated with respect. When determining outcomes, CAPR considers the seriousness of the incident, the evidence available, and the context, applying sanctions that are proportionate to the situation. CAPR also takes a proactive approach to protecting exam integrity and regularly reviews its policies and procedures in order to respond to evolving risks so that public trust in the entry to practice examination process is upheld.

Purpose

This policy outlines how CAPR addresses and responds to misconduct or security incidents related to the CPTE.

Definitions

“Misconduct” refers to any behaviour that breaches CAPR’s Rules of Conduct or compromises the integrity, fairness, or security of the CPTE.

“Security Incident” refers toany action or event that threatens the confidentiality, validity, or reliability of CPTE materials or the administration of the exam, including unauthorized access, use, sharing, or tampering.

Policy

CAPR takes all allegations of misconduct and security violations seriously. All incidents – whether reported by proctors, candidates, examiners, staff, or third parties – will be investigated using all available information. Candidates involved, or alleged to be involved, in misconduct are expected to cooperate fully with misconduct investigations. Where, following a review of all available evidence, CAPR alleges that a candidate has, or may have, engaged in misconduct, the candidate will have the opportunity to submit a written response to the allegation.

1. Investigations

1.1 Investigation Procedure:

Upon being informed of alleged misconduct, CAPR will conduct an investigation into the allegation(s). This investigation will be conducted by the Manager, Examinations, or their delegate, and will begin within 15 business days.
Where the Manager, Examinations determines that there is evidence suggesting that misconduct has occurred, the candidate will be provided with information about the alleged misconduct and a summary of the findings of the investigation. The candidate will be given 30 calendar days to submit a written response addressing the allegations. In making their decision, the Manager, Examinations will review all available information, including:
- The initial report of the misconduct;
- All information obtained by CAPR prior to contacting the candidate in question;
- The candidate’s response(s) to CAPR correspondence related to the misconduct, and any supporting documentation/evidence provided, and,
- Any legal advice obtained.
In making their decision, the Manager, Examinations, will consider the nature of the conduct, including the following:
- The seriousness of the conduct
- Any mitigating or aggravating factors
- When the conduct occurred
- The frequency of the conduct, and its duration
- Any dishonesty on the part of the candidate
- Any admissions made by the candidate
- The candidate’s cooperation, or lack thereof, with CAPR’s investigation
- Whether the candidate self-reported or whether CAPR learn of the conduct by some other means
- Any remorse, concern, or insight demonstrated by the candidate
- Any steps to remediate or rehabilitate taken by the candidate
- Has the candidate previously been suspected or accused of misconduct?
- Any previous findings of misconduct against the candidate and the nature of such findings

1.2 Investigation Outcomes

If it is determined that misconduct occurred, one or more of the following consequences will apply:
- The candidate’s exam result will be recorded as “Undetermined”, and the exam will count as one of the candidate’s attempts.
- If the candidate is allowed to take the exam again, CAPR will take special measures, where applicable, at the candidate’s expense, to prevent the candidate from engaging in misconduct again.
- CAPR may temporarily ban the candidate from taking the exam. This means that the candidate would not be eligible to participate in the CPTE for a defined period.
- CAPR may permanently ban the candidate from taking the exam. This means that the candidate would not be eligible to participate in the CPTE again.
- CAPR may take legal action against the candidate.
If an investigation is inconclusive (CAPR cannot conclusively determine that misconduct occurred) the following consequences may apply:
- The candidate’s exam result will be released to the candidate.
- If the candidate fails the exam, they will be permitted to take the exam again.
- CAPR will take special measures, where applicable, at the candidate’s expense, to prevent the candidate from engaging in any misconduct.
In all instances – whether misconduct is determined to have occurred or an investigation is inconclusive – CAPR will report the findings to the physiotherapy regulatory colleges; all information and documentation related to the investigation will be provided.
Where misconduct involves the exposure of exam content, CAPR will remove the exposed content from the CPTE item bank.

2. Decision-Making and Oversight

The Manager, Examinations, or their delegate, will review the relevant information and the candidate’s submissions.
The Manager, Examinations, will determine whether misconduct or a security breach occurred.
Decisions of the Manager, Examinations will be reviewed for reasonableness by the National Director, Evaluation Services prior to communication to the candidate.
In serious cases, the Board of Directors may be asked to approve certain sanctions (e.g., permanent ban, legal action).
The candidate will be informed of the outcome within 10 business days of the conclusion of the investigation and decision process.

3. Confidentiality and Reporting

CAPR treats all misconduct and security investigations as confidential. Information gathered during an investigation is shared only with those who need it to make or review decisions. In all instances – whether misconduct is determined to have occurred or an investigation is inconclusive – CAPR will report the findings to the physiotherapy regulatory colleges; all information and documentation related to the investigation will be provided. To promote transparency, to try to prevent future misconduct, and to uphold the integrity of the CPTE, CAPR may also share anonymized summaries of confirmed cases of misconduct, ensuring that no personal or identifying information is released.

4. Appeals

Candidates may appeal CAPR’s decision to the CEO. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the CEO within 30 calendar days of notification of the decision and must include any new evidence for consideration.

5. Review and Revision

This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as needed to reflect changes in exam delivery, technology, or best practices in test security.