OPA is excited to celebrate the Ontario winners of the CPA Awards!
Helen Johnson – Life Membership Award
This award is presented to current or former CPA members who have contributed to the growth of the profession through at least 25 years of service at local and/or national levels.
Helen Johnson has been an active volunteer with the Ontario Physiotherapy Association for many years. She was the District President for the Windsor District, was a volunteer, and has presented multiple times at our conference, InterACTION. She also volunteered on our committees and Board of Directors, and contributed her voice to OPA’s advocacy.
Helen is also the 2006 recipient of the Professional Contribution – External, OPA Award.
Parag Shah – Clinical Education Award
Congratulations to Parag Shah, an Ontario member, for winning the Clinical Education Award. This award is presented to a member who has made outstanding contributions to the clinical education of physiotherapy students.
Alyssa Benitez – H. S. Rahikka Student Leadership Award
Alyssa Benitez is the Co-President of the Central Toronto District of OPA. We are excited to see her recognized nationally for her leadership skills! Congratulations Alyssa!
Iris Wang – H. S. Rahikka Student Leadership Award
The Helen Saarinen Rahikka Student Leadership Award is presented to a student member who has demonstrated leadership and made outstanding contributions to the promotion of the profession. Iris has participated in Ontario activities including joining us at InterACTION 2024 and acting as a voting delegate for OPA’s Annual General Meeting in 2025. Congratulations Iris!
OPA Presents at Health Workforce Canada Connects Conference
Emily Stevenson, Director of Practice and Policy at OPA, spoke at the Health Workforce Canada Connects conference about the value physiotherapists bring to primary care teams. CPA CEO Krissy (Murphy) Bell moderated the workshop “From Silos to Synergy: Scalable, Sustainable Solutions for Team-Based Primary Care”. The session brought together an exceptional panel of leaders from across a diverse spectrum of professions, perspectives, and places in Canada to explore scalable and sustainable models for team-based primary care.
Physiotherapy Access in Primary Care Matters
Emily Stevenson highlighted how critical it is that PTs are incorporated into health human resource planning as they are essential members of team-based primary care. Physiotherapists, when incorporated, increase access and attachment to primary care, as they can assess, diagnosis and treat conditions in their scope, which increases the capacity of family physicians and other team members. Physiotherapists need to be part of every primary care team to provide the right care, at the right time, by the right person.
Roles for PTs in Primary Care
We know that PTs in primary care:
improve access to health services
work collaboratively with other providers to build more capacity in primary care teams
reduce emergency department visits
lead to better outcomes for patients
and enhance continuity of care for patients.
In 2015, OPA was one of the strong advocates leading to the addition of PTs to Family Health Teams in Ontario.
Visit OPA’s Primary Care Hub to stay up to date on all things primary care.
Presenting at national interprofessional conferences allows OPA to demonstrate the value we bring to patients and health system partners. It provides us an opportunity to connect to other health care professionals, building relationships for increased collaboration and advocacy. Thank you to CPA’s CEO, Krissy Bell, for inviting OPA to participate in this important panel discussion.
What is Health Workforce Canada?
Health Workforce Canada is a new, independent organization established by an Interim Steering Committee, supported by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), and funded by Health Canada. It has been created in recognition of the need to bring together health workforce experts and those in the health care field to learn from each other and strengthen health workforce data and planning to help ensure health workers are there to provide the care people in Canada need.
Thank you to the Health Workforce Canada | Effectif de la santé Canada team for bringing together such an engaged community of health systems leaders and workforce planners, and for continuing to create space for collaboration and innovation.
For students, new graduates, and internationally educated clinicians who want to practice in Ontario
Overview
Congratulations to all outgoing physiotherapy students, recent graduates, and new-to-practice clinicians! This is an exciting milestone in your journey, and we recognize that it can also be a time filled with questions and uncertainty, especially with the recent changes to the examination and registration process in Ontario.
This guide will help you navigate the transition based on your specific situation.
You are eligible to complete either the OCE or the new Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE).
If you choose to complete the OCE, you must apply for provisional practice class and the OCE at the same time (this is a requirement, and you cannot apply for one without the other).
Next Steps for graduates who are choosing to complete the OCE
Contact CPO immediately to secure your exam spot (please note that you cannot register for this examination until you have completed your PT program).
Prepare application materials for both provisional practice and OCE.
Review exam preparation resources.
Next Steps for those who have passed the PCE but have not yet completed their PT Program
Try to avoid stressing about securing an OCE slot. You cannot book this examination until you have completed your PT program.
Next Steps for graduates who are choosing to complete the CPTE
Q: I’m confused about which exam I need to take. Who should I contact? A: Contact the CPO directly. They can assess your specific situation and provide definitive guidance on which examination pathway applies to you.
Q: Can I practice while waiting for exam results? A: This depends on your registration status. Speak with CPO about provisional practice opportunities and requirements.
Q: How long do I have to complete these requirements after graduation? A: Timelines vary by situation. Contact CPO immediately after graduation to understand your specific deadlines.
Q: What if I’m planning to practice outside Ontario? A: Each province has different requirements. If you plan to practice elsewhere, contact that province’s regulatory college directly.
Q: How does OPA membership help with this transition? A: OPA provides ongoing updates about regulatory changes, professional support during your transition, networking opportunities, and advocacy to ensure these processes serve new graduates effectively.
Need More Help?
Regulatory Questions: Contact the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) Exam Information: Contact Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) Professional Support: Contact Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA)
Remember: This process can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. OPA is here to support you as you launch your career, and we’re advocating for processes that serve new graduates effectively.
This guide is current as of September 1, 2025. Regulatory requirements may change. Always verify information directly with the relevant regulatory bodies.
