Category: Blog

The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) is excited to announce the launch of the Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE), the new entry-to-practice examination for prospective physiotherapists. The Canadian physiotherapy regulators (with the exception of Quebec) have agreed, in principle, to use the CPTE as the new licensure exam in Canada. The CPTE will ensure that the critical knowledge required for safe, effective, and independent physiotherapy practice is assessed consistently across the country.

“We are grateful to our regulatory partners for putting their trust in us and allowing us to transform the current entry-to-practice competency assessment process,” said Brandi Park, National Director, Evaluation Services, CAPR. “With the significant modernization and re-envisioning initiatives that CAPR has implemented over the past two years, we are well-positioned to carry out high-quality and standardized entry-to-practice assessment for the Canadian physiotherapy regulators.”

The CPTE will focus on critical competencies (both clinical and non-clinical) that are required to perform safely, effectively, and independently at entry-to-practice. The CPTE will use a variety of assessment methods, including traditional multiple-choice questions, enhanced multiple-choice questions that incorporate multimedia (e.g. images and videos), and oral questions. The CPTE will be delivered virtually and accessible to candidates across Canada and internationally.

The first administration of the CPTE will be in January 20261¹, with registration for all 2026 exam dates opening in July 2025. Additional information about the CPTE (including options for candidates during the transition period, eligibility requirements, exam blueprint and format, and frequently asked questions) will be posted in the coming weeks.

CAPR would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the physiotherapists and system partners who have been involved in the development of the CPTE. This work would not be possible without their contributions.

1. Pending finalization of transition plans with the Canadian physiotherapy regulators. ↩︎

To maintain high standards of quality and safety in physiotherapy practice, all internationally educated physiotherapists must demonstrate proficiency in English or French as part of the credentialling process.
 
Starting April 28, 2025, CAPR will require applicants to submit a successful language test result before CAPR begins the credential assessment. This operational improvement is designed to enhance applicant outcomes.
 
We encourage applicants to meet the language requirement before applying to CAPR to avoid delays in the process. For more information on language requirements and how to submit your report, visit our Language Proficiency policy and Providing Document pages. 
 
Looking for resources to support language proficiency? We have information available on our website.
 
For questions, please contact credentialling@alliancept.org.

During the October 9, 2024 administration of the Written Component of the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE), a candidate was observed engaging in exam misconduct by attempting to copy the contents of the exam – an action that represents a direct violation of CAPR’s ‘Rules of Conduct and Examination Security.’ The candidate’s exam was terminated immediately. Following a thorough investigation – which included a review of the video and audio footage and an opportunity for the candidate to submit a written response – the exam misconduct was confirmed.

As a result of this exam misconduct, CAPR has imposed the following outcomes on the offending candidate:

• a temporary ban from taking the PCE for a period of two (2) years
• the elimination of remote proctoring as a testing option

CAPR is deeply committed to ensuring a fair and equitable testing experience for all candidates, and to ensuring the integrity of the PCE. Actions that may compromise the integrity of the examination process will be met with appropriately serious consequences.

We are writing to share the bittersweet news that Bob Haennel Ph.D., FACSM, who has led CAPR as our CEO since January 2023, will be retiring at the end of 2025.

As CAPR’s CEO, Bob’s guidance and expertise have been invaluable as we pivot to a new governance model, a new working relationship with regulators, and updating our entry-to-practice assessment services via Evaluation Services Re-envisioned.

Throughout his career, Bob has been committed to helping the next generation of rehabilitation professionals in Canada. As an academic, he taught and conducted research on cardiac rehabilitation. He also held numerous leadership positions, including Director of the Dr. Paul Schwann Applied Health and Research Centre at the University of Regina and Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta. At the University of Alberta, he went on to be Dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine where he helped establish the first physiotherapy satellite program in Canada, initially at the U of A Augustana campus in Camrose, Alberta, and then at the University of Calgary. His trailblazing work also included working on the establishment of the first physiotherapy bridging program in western Canada, which was designed to assist internationally trained physiotherapists as they worked towards licensure.

Bob has also been a trusted advisor, serving on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Reconstructive Sciences in Medicine and two University of Alberta clinical research facilities, the Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic and the Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research.

From now until his retirement, Bob’s top priorities include completing the CAPR governance transition, forging a strong positive relationship with the regulators, and delivering the components of Evaluation Services Re-envisioned.

We wish Bob a wonderful retirement and thank him for his remarkable contributions to our organization and the physiotherapy profession in Canada. The search for a new CEO will start soon, with details to follow.

The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) is launching a new Institution Portal. This portal allows your school to upload documents electronically, making submissions easier, faster, and more secure.

How It works

1. Request Access: Your institution must complete the Institution Portal Access Form and email it to documents@alliancept.org from an official school email address. We must be able to verify the email address on your school’s website.
2. Verification: CAPR will review the form and confirm your institution’s details.
3. Login Details: Once approved, we will send login information and instructions to your school.
4. Submit Documents: Your institution can then upload CAPR’s Portal Document Request Form and official transcripts directly in the portal.

Why use the portal?

• Convenient: Institutions can submit documents electronically.
• Faster Processing: Reduces manual handling and speeds up approvals.
• Cost-effective: No need for printing, mailing, or courier services.
• Secure: Documents are transmitted securely.
• Reduced Paper: Minimizes physical storage and paperwork.
• Minimized Errors – Online forms and validation checks reduce errors and incomplete submissions.

The new institution portal aligns with CAPR’s mission to modernize the credentialling process. By streamlining the application process, CAPR can more effectively support the growing demand for physiotherapists in Canada.

Related Links:

• How to provide documents
• Institution Status Page

Join CAPR team members for a live credentialling Question & Answer webinar on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 (11AM- 12PM EDT).

The session will cover the top eight things you need to know about the credentialling process, the Pre-Approved Credentialling Pathway, and an opportunity to ask your questions.

The webinar is open to applicants who are in the credentialling process or will soon begin the credentialling process. To register for the webinar, click here. To join the webinar, follow the instructions in the email provided to you when you register. We recommend that you join the webinar five minutes before it starts.

For more than a decade, Diana Sinnige has been an exceptional leader at CAPR – managing our credentialling program, heading our communications efforts, and leading our policy and governance work.

On Feb. 28, she will embark on her next chapter as she transitions to retirement.

During her time with CAPR, Ms. Sinnige made significant contributions to the organization. She first joined CAPR in 2012 as Program Manager for Credentialling, and within 12 months of her arrival, assessment wait times were decreased by 70 per cent. In 2014, she served as National Director of Credentials and Examinations where she oversaw the transition to a computer-based exam. Ms. Sinnige also served as our Director, Policy and Communications, where she led our regulatory policy and communications work. In her latest role with CAPR as Lead in Policy and Governance, she participated in many different projects and working groups that foster a coordinated approach to pan-Canadian physiotherapy regulatory policy.

Ms. Sinnige’s efforts as a leader and advisor at CAPR will continue to make lasting impacts on the physiotherapy profession. We thank her for her valuable support and guidance over the last 13 years, and wish her all the best in her retirement.

Welcome to 2025!

This year marks a pivotal time for CAPR as we continue to implement our Evaluation Services Re-envisioned (ESR) initiative: a two-year project that focuses on improving and modernizing the entry-to-practice competency assessment model to prepare Canadian and internationally educated physiotherapists (CEPTs/IEPTs) for licensure in Canada. The year 2024 laid the foundation for this important work and was filled with milestones that brought us to where we are today.

The ESR project was officially launched in February 2024, with the overarching goals of creating one new entry-to-practice exam that will replace the two-exam model, updating the credentialling program, and enhancing supports for IEPTs seeking licensure in Canada.

Examinations Program

In early 2024, CAPR began developing the new physiotherapy entry-to-practice examination (referred to in this blog as the “new exam”). CAPR assembled an Exam Program Advisory Committee (EPAC) composed of representatives from accredited physiotherapy programs and physiotherapy regulatory bodies, as well as physiotherapists from various practice settings and educational backgrounds. The EPAC was created to provide guidance and input into the structure of the new exam. CAPR also retained consultants from Meazure Learning to facilitate the development of the blueprint for the new exam. To inform the work of the EPAC, CAPR sent out a survey in May 2024 to all physiotherapy regulators. This survey gathered feedback on critical areas for assessment at entry-to-practice, categories of complaints, and priorities for the new exam. In June 2024, the EPAC extensively reviewed the entry-to-practice milestones in the Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada (2017) and identified a preliminary subset of milestones to be assessed on the new exam. This marked a significant step in the new exam’s blueprint development. In September 2024, the milestones were validated through a survey sent to practicing physiotherapists across Canada. In December 2024, the new blueprint was approved by the CAPR Board.

The new exam will focus on critical competencies (both clinical and non-clinical) that are required to perform safely, effectively, and independently at entry-to-practice. Moreover, it will test these competencies using assessment methods that are best suited for measuring the intended constructs, including traditional multiple-choice questions, enhanced multiple-choice questions using multimedia (images, videos, and/or audio clips), and oral questions.

The content/item development process for the new exam will take place throughout 2025.  If you are interested in getting involved with CAPR and making a meaningful contribution to physiotherapy assessment in Canada, we invite you to visit the ‘Get Involved’ section on our website.  

Credentialling Program

In spring 2024, CAPR also began the development of a new credentialling program that will evaluate an IEPTs education, knowledge, and skills to determine if they are substantially different from those of CEPTs. In recent years, CAPR has received a significant increase in the number of credentialling applications (more than 1,900 in 2024), and we expect this number to continue to grow. The new credentialling program will provide more feedback and support for IEPTs seeking licensure in Canada. CAPR retained Construct Measures to lead the development of this program. The year 2024 also saw the creation of the Credentialling Program Advisory Committee (CPAC), which informed the new credentialling program’s development. Similar to the EPAC, the CPAC is comprised of subject matter experts from across Canada, including from physiotherapy bridging programs and physiotherapy regulatory bodies, as well as physiotherapists from various practice areas and educational backgrounds.  With support from the CPAC, new assessment pathways and tools have been identified. We are excited to share more details about the program in the coming months. If you are an IEPT and interested in getting involved in this project, please sign up online.

Pre-Approved Credentialling Pathway

The year 2024 also marked the development of the ESR’s Pre-Approved Credentialling Pathway for IEPTs. With funding secured from the British Columbia Ministry of Health (BCMOH), CAPR contracted with the Accessing Centre for Expertise (ACE) to assess how the physiotherapy practice and training contexts of other countries and jurisdictions align with Canadian standards. ACE developed a detailed comparative case analysis of physiotherapy systems, and a rubric to guide the selection of countries and jurisdictions for a new pathway. This research provided CAPR with an objective, evidence-informed framework to evaluate physiotherapy practice and training contexts from different jurisdictions against Canadian standards. In late 2024, CAPR announced that it would be introducing a new Pre-Approved Credentialling Pathway (PACP) to the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE). IEPTs Applicants who are educated in, and are either registered to practise or are eligible to be registered to practise without restriction in Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the USA will qualify for this new pathway.  This new approach will decrease the credentialling timelines for all IEPTs wishing to practise in Canada by simplifying applications for IEPTs educated in certain jurisdictions and allowing CAPR to focus its time and resources on applicants who require more individualized assessment. The implementation of the PACP was officially announced in January 2025. Learn more about this exciting initiative.

We sincerely thank our clients and system partners for their support and collaborations that made these achievements possible in 2024. We look forward to continuing this important work together. 

Please stay connected with CAPR online for the latest updates (Facebook, LinkedIn and X).

As part of the Evaluation Services Re-Envisioned initiative, the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) is seeking passionate and experienced physiotherapists to join the Item Development Committee (IDC).

If you are interested in developing high-quality content for CAPR’s entry-to-practice assessments, this opportunity is for you!

Why join?

• Make an impact: IDC members get involved in our initiatives to improve and modernize entry-to-practice physiotherapy assessment in Canada.
• Contribute to the physiotherapy profession: Your work will help ensure that physiotherapists entering the profession meet national standards for safe and effective practice.
• Professional growth: IDC members represent a pool of subject matter experts from across Canada who work collaboratively and have multiple opportunities to enhance their knowledge on diverse physiotherapy topics and build skills in competency assessment.
• Honorarium: IDC members receive $1,000 annually for their contributions.

Applications will be accepted until February 28, 2025.

Ready to contribute to the future of physiotherapy? Apply now!

The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) is introducing a new Pre-Approved Credentialling Pathway (PACP) to the Physiotherapy Competency Examination which will streamline the application process for internationally educated physiotherapists (IEPTs) from certain jurisdictions, allowing CAPR to focus time and resources on IEPTs who require more individualized assessment and support.

Applicants who are educated in, and are either registered to practise or are eligible to be registered to practise without restriction in Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the USA will qualify for this new pathway. The jurisdictions were selected based on a comprehensive analysis for comparability to Canadian physiotherapy practice.

This forward-thinking approach aligns with a growing trend of modernizing and transforming assessment pathways to licensure for health professionals in Canada to meet the needs of the health care system and the public. Over the next decade, Canada needs to add nearly 12,000 new physiotherapists to meet the growing demand for care.  

“CAPR is committed to administering an efficient and fair credentialling process for all applicants. Creating different pathways for internationally educated physiotherapists makes sense and will benefit both the individual physiotherapists and the Canadian health care system. CAPR wants to ensure qualified physiotherapists can enter the profession as quickly as possible. Once in practise, these physiotherapists will be able to provide care to Canadians,” said Bob Haennel, Chief Executive Officer of CAPR.

In 2024, CAPR submitted a funding proposal to the B.C. Ministry of Health (BCMOH) to explore a partnership opportunity to deliver a new pathway to licensure for some groups of IEPTs. The BCMOH approved the funding proposal in June 2024, and work on the project commenced immediately.

“British Columbia is home to a diverse group of people, and our systems, including health care, must reflect that,” said Sunita Dhir, B.C.’s Parliamentary Secretary for International Credentials. “Physiotherapists are an integral part of our health care system, helping patients by improving their physical health, mobility and overall quality of life. Eliminating barriers to allow internationally educated physiotherapists to practise in the province sooner means that more patients will get the care they need from skilled providers that also represent the diversity of B.C.”

Related links:

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Evaluation Services Re-envisioned