Whether you are a high school student, completing an undergraduate degree, at college, or looking for a second career, this guide outlines the pathway to becoming a physiotherapist in Ontario.
If you are an internationally educated physiotherapist, you can learn more about the registration process here.
As a high school student aspiring to become a physiotherapist in Ontario, you have an exciting career path ahead of you.
First, you will need to complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree. While there is no specific undergraduate major required, courses in biology, anatomy, physiology, and psychology will be required, and can be taken as electives in any degree.
Review the program requirements of each Ontario physiotherapy program to ensure that you take the appropriate courses.
After your undergraduate degree, you will need to earn a master’s degree in physiotherapy. The master’s programs include courses in anatomy, physiology, pathology, biomechanics, and research. You will also participate in lectures, labs, small group work, and clinical placements.
Five universities in Ontario offer this program:
Check out universities across Canada that offer physical therapy programs:
The first entry-to-practice exam is called the Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE) and is a written exam that, if passed, allows you to apply for registration to practice as a Resident Physiotherapist (also known as Physiotherapist Resident) in Ontario with a provisional license.
You have 3 opportunities to pass the exam.
Once you successfully pass the PCE, your next step is to register with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Physiotherapists in Ontario are regulated by the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
Everyone has to register with the College to practice physiotherapy in Ontario. Once you register, you can call yourself a Resident Physiotherapist or Physiotherapist Resident.
To practice with an independent license in Ontario, a Resident Physiotherapist must pass the Ontario Clinical Exam (OCE), which is a virtual exam with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
You have 3 opportunities to pass this exam.
We advocate, provide professional development and career support services to our member physiotherapists, physiotherapist assistants and students in order to provide quality physiotherapy to Ontarians.
As a non-profit, PT-led association, our leaders, staff, and volunteers are working to serve our members.
Whether you are looking for your first job or want to make a change, check out job listings just for physiotherapists. We also send a Jobs & Classifieds e-newsletter on the first Friday of the month to all members.
Physiotherapists are committed to lifelong learning. As a physiotherapist, it is a College requirement to continue updating your skills and knowledge throughout your career to provide high-quality care.
While physiotherapists are required to engage in continuing professional development and keep a record of their learning, per the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, “there are no specific requirements for the amount and type of continuing education and professional development activities you do. It’s up to you to identify your own learning goals, come up with a learning plan, and reflect on your learning.”
This means that neither the College nor the OPA will be able to determine which course or learning method is best for you. Furthermore, neither the College nor the OPA accredit courses or assign CEU equivalencies to courses or programs.