General Overview

Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE) Candidate Guide

This guide provides an overview of the CPTE structure, including the oral section, written section and exam day flow.

Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE) Blueprint 2025

The CPTE Blueprint 2025 serves as a foundational document for the development, administration, and interpretation of the CPTE, ensuring a fair, reliable, and valid assessment of the essential entry-to-practice physiotherapy competencies. By clearly defining the content and format, and weighting of the different components of the exam, the CPTE Blueprint 2025 ensures consistency across exam forms and alignment with professional expectations and regulatory standards.

Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE) Blueprint 2025 – Companion Guide

This document was developed to support different stakeholders in understanding and using the CPTE Blueprint 2025. This document expands on the CPTE Blueprint 2025 by providing detailed descriptions that clarify the intent of each content area. This helps to ensure that the content areas included in the CPTE are accurately interpreted and consistently applied.

CAPR Key Reference List

Updated April 2025

Assessment and Diagnosis Care Planning	Musculoskeletal
	Brukner P, Ardern C, Bahr R, Blazey P, Clarsen B, et al. Brukner & Khan’s Clinical Sports Medicine: Foundations of Clinical Practice. 6^th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2018. Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopedic Examination, Evaluation and Intervention. 6^th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2023. Kisner C, Borstad J, Colby LA. Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques. 8^th ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis; 2023. Magee DJ, Manske RC. Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 7^th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2021. Magee DJ, Zachazewski JE, Quillen WS, Manske RC. Pathology and Intervention in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 2^nd ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2016.
	Neurological
	Lazaro RT, Reina-Guerra SG, Quiben MU. Umphred’s Neurological Rehabilitation. 7^th ed. St Louis: Elsevier; 2020. Nichols-Larsen D, Basso DM, Buford JA, Heathcock JC, Kegelmeyer DA, Kloos AD. Neurologic Rehabilitation: Neuroscience and Neuroplasticity in Physical Therapy Practice. 2^nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2024.
	Cardiovascular-Respiratory
	Frownfelter D, Dean E, editors. Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy: Evidence to Practice. 6^th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier Mosby; 2023. Hillegass E. Essentials of Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy. 5^th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2022. DeTurk WE, Cahalin LP. Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy: An Evidence-Based Approach. 3^rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2018.
	General
	Bellew JW, Michlovitz, SL, Nolan TP Jr. Michlovitz’s Modalities for Therapeutic Intervention. 7^th ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis; 2022. Boissonnault WG, Vanwye WR. Primary Care for the Physical Therapist: Examination and Triage. 3^rd ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2021. Fulk GD, Chui KK. O’Sullivan & Schmitz’s Physical Rehabilitation. 8^th ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis; 2024. Goodman CC, Fuller KS, editors. Goodman and Fuller’s Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist. 5^th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2021. Paz JC, West MP, Panasci K, Greenwood KC. Acute Care Handbook for Physical Therapists. 5^th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2020. Rehabilitation Measures Database [webpage on the Internet]. Chicago: Shirley Ryan Ability Lab; 2025 [cited 2025 Mar 17]. Shamus E. The Color Atlas of Physical Therapy. 1^st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2015. Paediatrics Bloyer M, Shamus E, Catalino T, Miles C. Guide to Pediatric Physical Therapy: A Clinical Approach. 1^st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2025. Palisano RJ, Orlin MN, Schreiber J. Campbell’s Physical Therapy for Children. 6^th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2024. Spearing EM, Pelletier ES, Drnach M. Tecklin’s Pediatric Physical Therapy. 6^th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2022. Geriatrics Avers D, Wong RA. Guccione’s Geriatric Physical Therapy. 4^th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2020. Staples WH, Heitzman J, Kegelmeyer DA, Goehring M. Geriatric Physical Therapy: A Case Study Approach. 2^nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2021.
Client Safety and Client-centred Care Professional Responsibilities Collaboration Communication Practice Management	Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR). Code of Ethical Conduct and Core Professional Values; 2023. Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR). Model Standards of Practice; 2024. Dutton M. Dutton’s Introduction to Physical Therapy and Patient Skills. 2^nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2021. Fairchild SL, O’Shea RK, Washington RD. Pierson and Fairchild’s Principles & Techniques of Patient Care. 7^th ed. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier; 2018. Haddad A, Doherty R, Purtilo R. Health Professional and Patient Interaction. 10^th ed. St Louis: Elsevier; 2019. National Physiotherapy Advisory Group. Essential Competency Profile for Physiotherapist Assistants in Canada; 2012.