2.2 Language Proficiency
2.2 Language Proficiency
Date Approved: September 14, 2012
Date Effective: March 3, 2025
Date Revised: December 13, 2018, February 21, 2023, April 23, 2024, December 10, 2024, February 25, 2025
Scope
This policy applies to all internationally educated physiotherapists applying to the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulator’s (CAPR) credentialling process.
Principles
As part of CAPR’s obligation 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. This will ensure that physiotherapists licenced by Canadian regulators have the language skills necessary to conduct their practice safely and effectively.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the language standards required by CAPR to demonstrate minimum language proficiency. CAPR encourages all applicants to check with their regional regulatory organization as each organization may have different language requirements.
Policy
- To become licensed or registered, an applicant must be fluent in either English or French. If they completed their entry-to-practice physiotherapy education (both classroom and clinical portions) in one of the following countries (where English or French is the official national and only language used primarily in all levels of education): Australia, United States of America, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, or France they do not need to complete a language proficiency test[i] . If they completed their entire primary and secondary school education in Canada, they do not need to complete a language proficiency test.
- Applicants educated in other international jurisdictions must achieve the minimum score in each language skill area (writing, speaking, listening, and reading) on one of the approved language tests listed in this policy.
- All scores must meet the minimum requirements in one sitting. Scores from multiples sittings cannot be combined to meet the language requirement.
Exception: Applicants can submit an IELTS One Skill Retake test if it meets the minimum score requirements for the IELTS General or Academic test.
- The language testing agency must submit the official language scores directly to CAPR within two years of the test date. If CAPR receives an official language test result before an application, the test results must still be valid (i.e. less than two years old) at the time the application is received.
Accepted Language Tests
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP G)
- International English Language Testing System General Training (IELTS GT)
- International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS AC)
- Pearson Test of English Core (PTE Core)
- Test d’évaluation du français (TEF)
- TEF Canada, TEF Quebec and TEF 5 épreuves
- Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
- TCF Canada, TCF Quebec and TCF Tout Public
Required Minimum Scores
| CELPIP G | IELTS GT | IELTS AC | PTE Core | TEF | TCF | ||
| Reading | 9 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 78 | 248 | 524 | |
| Writing | 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 79 | 349 | 12 | |
| Listening | 8 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 71 | 280 | 503 | |
| Speaking | 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 76 | 349 | 12 | |
| Overall | – | – | – | – | – | – |
[i] Some components of Manitoba’s language proficiency policy are different. If you are intending to complete the licensure process in Manitoba, visit the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba for detailed information about meeting language proficiency requirements.