Help Shape Fair Compensation for Ontario Physiotherapists
The Ontario Physiotherapy Association is launching our 2026 compensation and fee surveys to ensure physiotherapist earnings across all sectors reflect the true value and scope of the profession. Our last comprehensive surveys were conducted in 2022, and a lot has changed in healthcare and the broader business landscape since then.
Your input directly impacts fee negotiations with the Ministry of Health, private insurers, WSIB, and auto sector stakeholders. The more responses we receive, the stronger and more representative our market research becomes. It takes just a few minutes of your time.
Why Your Input is Critical
These surveys gather an accurate picture of what physiotherapists earn and charge across hospital, private practice, home care, primary care, and long-term care sectors. This data informs our Fee Guidelines and strengthens our advocacy with government and industry partners. It is the foundation for demonstrating the real value physiotherapists bring to Ontario’s healthcare system.
Bonus: Your Feedback on the Ontario Physiotherapy Association
We have also included questions about OPA membership in these surveys, open to OPA members and non-members. With this feedback, we ensure that the Association delivers real value to all physiotherapy professionals in Ontario.
This survey is now closed. Thank you to all who participated.
As we move into 2026, we share an extraordinary degree of optimism for the physiotherapy profession. We believe it will be recognized and valued even more for the impact we have on function, health, and well-being.
Physiotherapy helps people across their lifespan, wherever they access health care in the system.
Our mission at OPA is clear. We are here to Support our members through advocacy, professional development, and career support. We Influence and shape decisions that affect the profession. We Empower our members to provide the utmost in safe and high-quality care to all people and communities we serve.
As your provincial professional association, we recognize both the honour and the importance of representing your voice. Working with the Ontario government and key decision-makers, we represent you on the issues that matter most to you. Our focus is on the policies, funding decisions, and structures that affect your work every day and your patients.
As we head into the New Year, we are set on achieving progress in the following areas:
A Thriving Workforce and Practice Settings Our priorities include:
Continuing our efforts to advance scope implementation
Supporting the development and appropriate funding of physiotherapists in first contact primary care roles
Advancing the Community Physiotherapy Clinic program in 2026 with a focus on program awareness, expansion and appropriate compensation
Refining our 2026 OPA Fee Guideline with sector-specific information
Working with FRSA (Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario) and the Ministry of Finance to make long-overdue compensation changes
Health System Transformation
We are supporting physiotherapists and their teams by:
Promoting interprofessional team-based care
Advancing physiotherapists’ participation in health system transformation with a focus on Home and Community Care and Long-Term Care
Making it easier to deliver informed patient care by gaining access to provincial digital assets (Diagnostic Imaging Repository, OLIS – Ontario Laboratories Information Systems)
Our Membership
We are most successful with your involvement and partnership. This is why OPA listens to and engages students, new graduates, PTAs, and physiotherapists throughout their careers. Our volunteers on committees, district executives and our Board of Directors make sure our work is relevant and positively impactful. We couldn’t do this without you.
Transparent and Inclusive
The processes and supports we develop matter. We continue to make them more accessible, inclusive, and transparent. We celebrate our wins, share progress with our members regularly and invite you to participate at any time.
As we move into 2026 and our bold initiatives, reflecting on the successes of 2025 provides us with confidence and a roadmap for moving forward. Thank you for your support and confidence in us – together, we can accomplish so much more!
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.
OPA recently sent a letter to the Ministry of Health with important feedback about the integration of physiotherapy in the Call for Applications for Integrated Community Health Services Centres (ICHSCs). We thank members who provided feedback which helped inform our letter.
The Impact
We recognize the impact that ICHSCs will have in all sectors where physiotherapists work, and in particular, the direct impact that will be imposed upon physiotherapists working in the private sector and those who currently operate within the Community Physiotherapy Clinic (CPC) Program.
Several significant points we made include:
Insufficient Compensation
Compensation for physiotherapists serving patients within the ICHSC model remains unclear. We are very concerned that insufficient funding that is not based on current market rates for physiotherapists will not result in a sustainable program.
OPA has previously expressed concerns with the existing Bundled Care program and the distribution of funds within the bundle that has resulted in underpayment of physiotherapy services. Given the Ministry’s goal of improving access to community-based surgery for hip and knee replacements, our concerns have escalated about the ability of the public to access rehabilitation before and after surgery if there are not appropriate resources and funding available for community physiotherapy partners.
Complexity of Patients
It is essential that funding for physiotherapy services reflects the rehabilitation complexity of the patient regardless of where they have surgery. Physiotherapy should NOT be discounted in the community because they are considered low risk from just a surgical perspective.
Navigation
As noted in OPA’s ongoing communications with the Bundled Care team at the Ministry of Health, there have been increasing challenges in system navigation of services for patients as the hospital role in navigation has eroded over time. OPA maintains the position that patient choice continues to be a priority. Currently, patients who undergo surgery at a hospital can choose where they access post-operative physiotherapy services, and the hospital bundle-holder is responsible for reimbursing the clinic of choice. This model has not been presented as a feature of the ICHSC program and has the potential to adversely impact accessibility and care outcomes.
Communication
OPA asks that the current communication issues be addressed that exist in the Bundled Care program prior to ICHSCs opening. Communication to and from bundled care holders to the patient and to physiotherapists are all needing to be addressed.
Why this is Critical for our Profession
Insufficient Compensation Impacts all Physiotherapists
A compensation model that is both underfunded and shifts the risk to physiotherapists for rehabilitation outcomes not only impacts physiotherapy clinics providing care for ICHSC patients but erodes the value and compensation of physiotherapists in all sectors.
Current Status
This is an important issue for the profession and we commit to communicating any response we receive from the Ministry that responds to the concerns we have identified.
Advocacy is Continuous
Advocating with the Ministry and government will be ongoing until we believe that needed program changes are in place and are communicated to the profession. We know that rehabilitation for patients is critical to support good surgical outcomes. The service model needs to be built on a fair and transparent framework so that our members can participate knowing that they will be equitably treated at fair market rates. Read more news related to ICHSCs linked below.
We encourage all members of the physiotherapy community to email the Ministry of Health and share your concerns. Use content from our letter and contact us for any additional resources at physiomail@opa.on.ca.
Nearly one year has passed since OPA published the 2024 Physiotherapy Fee Guideline, and we’re continuing our commitment to annual reviews that keep pace with the evolving private practice landscape.
Supporting Your Practice Success
The Annual Fee Guideline Review ensures that physiotherapists have access to current, relevant fee guidance. This review process examines market trends, practice realities, and member needs, to deliver a tool that serves our profession.
This resource is designed for all physiotherapists, with particular focus on those in private practice who face daily decisions about fee structures while striving to deliver exceptional patient care and maintain sustainable businesses.
Addressing Real Practice Challenges
We know you’re navigating an increasingly complex practice environment. Economic pressures, changing patient expectations, insurance considerations, and evolving service delivery models all impact how you structure your fees. Without current guidance, it becomes challenging to make confident decisions that balance patient accessibility with practice sustainability.
The private practice landscape doesn’t stand still, and neither should the resources that support your success.
How Your Input Drives Meaningful Updates
Our annual review process is built on member engagement. We’re seeking your insights through a survey that explores your current fees, fee models, and experiences using the Fee Guideline as an advocacy tool in your practice.
This data collection allows us to continue to evolve and modify the Guideline with your real-world experience as the foundation.
The Value You Receive
By participating in this annual review, you gain:
Evidence-based fee guidance that reflects current market conditions
A powerful advocacy tool to support conversations with patients, insurance providers, and other stakeholders
Professional confidence in your fee decisions, backed by peer input
Practice sustainability support that helps balance patient care with business viability
Community connection through shared insights and collective professional growth
Your Participation Matters
The survey takes just minutes to complete but provides invaluable insights that strengthen our entire profession. Your responses help us understand emerging trends, identify challenges, and ensure the Fee Guideline remains practically relevant for diverse practice settings across Ontario.
By participating, you are actively contributing to a resource that supports thousands of physiotherapists in delivering quality care while maintaining sustainable practices.
Looking Forward
Stay tuned for updates this fall as we compile insights, analyze trends, and prepare the updated guideline. This collaborative approach ensures the Fee Guideline continues evolving as a relevant, practical tool that serves our growing professional community.
Supporting Your Professional Journey
This annual review exemplifies why OPA exists: to provide physiotherapists with the tools, resources, and support needed to thrive in all practice settings. Whether you’re establishing fees for a new service, advocating with insurance providers, or simply ensuring your practice remains sustainable, the Fee Guideline serves as your professional foundation.
Ready to contribute? Complete the survey today and help shape the resource that supports our profession’s future.
With the call for a provincial election and a date set for February 27, 2025, OPA recognizes the importance of the next four weeks in engaging candidates and prospective MPPs on the issues that matter. Watch Courtney Bean, OPA President, speak about the upcoming provincial election.
Polling data reinforces that health care and the state of our health system remains a priority for Ontarians. We know that this is a critical time to communicate the priorities of the physiotherapy profession with candidates so that we can continue to make progress and positive change. Ontarians face extraordinary barriers to needed care. This election we believe important issues must be tackled and responded to so that Ontarians have equitable, timely access to the essential services provided by physiotherapists, physiotherapy residents, and physiotherapist assistants.
Here are our four priorities that will contribute to building an effective Health Care system in Ontario:
1. INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN ONTARIO
Growing the number of physiotherapists in Ontario is critical to meet the increasing demands on our system for rehabilitation care in private practice, primary care, hospital care, long-term care and home and community care
2. ADD PHYSIOTHERAPISTS TO MORE INTERPROFESSIONAL CARE TEAMS
Expanding the investment in primary health care organizations by adding physiotherapists is necessary to ensure that all Ontarians have access to primary health care with integrated physiotherapy services. All Ontarians should have the essential healthcare they need, including care by physiotherapists to promote well-being and injury prevention, recover from surgery or injury, and live optimally with chronic conditions in their homes and communities
3. FINALIZE IMPLEMENTATION OF SCOPE OF PRACTICE
It has taken too long! We call on candidates to increase health system capacity and efficiency by finalizing the regulations needed for physiotherapists to practise to their full competencies, including ordering diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests. These include changes that were enabled by the Ontario Legislature in 2009 but have not been implemented by the Ministry of Health. Get it done.
4. RESOLVE PROGRAM AND COMPENSATION RELATED CHALLENGES
There is a need to implement policies and funding increases that support fair, equitable compensation and are comparable to increases in other disciplines of the healthcare workforce (e.g., nurses, mid-wives, physicians). Underfunding physiotherapy leads to service scarcity, long wait times, and poorer health outcomes for Ontarians in publicly funded and insurance-based programs. The inconsistent funding of physiotherapy services severely impacts recruitment and retention with many physiotherapists withdrawing services because of the lack financial viability to deliver.
It is essential that physiotherapists are accessible to Ontarians of all ages and abilities. To support the wellbeing and prosperity of the province, the sustainability of the physiotherapy profession is critical, and to reduce professional attrition, it is imperative that underfunded physiotherapy programs are improved administratively and fiscally, including (1) Community Physiotherapy Program (CPC) (2) Auto Insurance Programs including the Minor Injury Guideline (MIG) and Professional Services Guideline (PSG) and (3) Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) Programs of Care.
Join us in any way you can!
At OPA, we will continue to advocate for the priorities of our members and profession overall and have prepared a candidate brief that we hope will be of value in your discussions.
OPA submitted comments to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario on the most recently proposed standards:
Advertising and Marketing
Documentation (would replace Record Keeping)
Funding, Fees and Billing
OPA provided suggested ways to enhance clarity and comprehensiveness in each of the standards. There is also an opportunity in the Documentation Standard to include how the use of AI may impact record keeping, and any important considerations.
OPA has been keeping members updated on our work over the last two years to resolve issues facing clinics participating, through a Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA) with the Ministry of Health (MoH), in the Community Physiotherapy Clinic (CPC) program.
On March 26, 2024, TPA holders received an update from the Ministry of Health on the changes being made to the Community Physiotherapy Clinic Program and OPA is pleased to see many of the recommendations we made have been accepted.
In particular the following changes positively impact clinics’ costs and provide some flexibility to respond to changes in EOC allocations between contract periods:
An increase in fees: 3% in the first year of the TPA, and 2% in the second year
One diagnosis for one Episode of Care (EOC) rather than the current ‘whole body’ multiple diagnoses approach
Replacement of the annual Review Engagement Financial Statement with an annual attestation
Support access to virtual care as per College of Physiotherapists of Ontario guidelines
Enable reallocation of available EOCs when a clinic closes or identifies they are unable to fulfill all EOCs assigned, or when the Ministry chooses to allocate unused EOCs
Remove the requirement for referral from physicians or nurse practitioners
We are pleased to see an increase in the EOC fee, although it does fall significantly short of matching the inflationary costs affecting the program since its inception in 2013. The changes above will have a positive impact of reducing some of the costs, however, and should be factored in by TPA holders making decisions going forward.
It should be noted that an additional change will impact the eligibility requirements for the program through the removal of the need for an overnight stay at the hospital for those who need physiotherapy after a procedure/surgery.
OPA engaged very intensively and continuously with the Ministry to make the case for these needed changes. We will continue to be fully engaged in revising the Program’s Policies and Procedures, based on these changes. We will also push to initiate a more comprehensive and thorough review of the CPC program, including fees, so that it can be completed well in advance of the expiration of the next TPAs on March 31, 2026. With changes in eligibility criteria, a review is essential to evaluate the demand on the program and other impacts to resources.
Thank you to the members of the CPC working group whose insights, experience and dedication grounded this advocacy work and enabled the Ministry to hear directly from physiotherapists.
If you have additional questions, please contact Amy Hondronicols.
OPA was invited to attend a webinar by the Ministry of Health to provide feedback on the process for developing new service provider organization contracts. The Home and Community Care Branch asked for input specifically related to the patient and family experience of care, staffing and workforce issues and service performance. Discussion included how there needs to be more transparency on how contracts work and how funds are distributed, more information on who works in the home care sector, reduced disparity in wages across professions and methods to increase hiring and retention.
OPA’s submission identified eight recommendations for service provider contracts based on the themes of enhancing equity and fairness across professions and contracts, working to full scope of practice, and increasing and ensuring access to home care for everyone.
OPA recently filed our recommendations to Ontario’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Pre-budget submissions are an opportunity to inform the Government of Ontario’s priorities, as addressed in the budget. Our submission focuses OPA’s continued advocacy on three main objectives, to:
Fully implement the legislated scope of practice for the physiotherapy profession;
Ensure a viable and sustainable publicly-funded community physiotherapy clinic program for vulnerable Ontarians, including seniors; and,
Reduce red tape in the automobile insurance sector that creates barriers to timely access to care for Ontarians and imposes costly and undue burden on health care businesses and address stagnant caps and fees.
OPA continues to advocate on each of these issues through 2024.
