The Government of Ontario announced that it is directing health regulatory colleges to begin preparing for regulatory changes related to expanded scopes of practice. 

For physiotherapists, this includes ordering x-rays and ultrasounds. 

Although this change of scope has not yet been implemented, OPA recognizes that members are starting to explore possible training to support the ability to perform this controlled act.

 To support this, OPA has compiled the following list of educational resources and programs that may be of interest. As regulatory and practice information evolves, OPA will continue to update members and share additional resources where appropriate. 

College of Physiotherapists of Ontario Attestation Requirements 

The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) has established attestation requirements that physiotherapists must meet before performing a controlled activity. These requirements include: 

1. Foundational Learning: Physiotherapists must learn the indications, contraindications, risks, and potential adverse outcomes associated with the activity.  

2. Learning Through Supervised Practice: Physiotherapists must practise the activity under the supervision of an authorized person.  

3. Evaluated Learning: Physiotherapists must be evaluated on their knowledge, clinical judgment, and practical skills related to the activity.  

Inclusion of a course in this resource does not guarantee that a course satisfies CPO attestation requirements. Physiotherapists are responsible for reviewing course content and determining whether their learning activities support the foundational learning, supervised practice, and evaluated learning requirements established by the CPO. 

Important Information 

Please note that inclusion of a course in this resource does not guarantee that a course satisfies CPO attestation requirements. Physiotherapists are individually responsible for reviewing course content and determining whether the learning activities support the foundational learning, supervised practice, and evaluated learning requirements established by the CPO. 

Additionally, the courses listed in this resource have not been evaluated by OPA, and OPA does not endorse any one course, provider or educational pathway. The courses are not listed in any order of preference or recommendation, and like other controlled or authorized acts, educational needs will depend on an individual physiotherapist’s role, practice setting, experience, and professional judgment. 

For any additional questions relating to rostering requirements, please contact the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.  

List of Educational Opportunities

The resources below are provided for informational purposes only. They are intended to help members explore available educational opportunities as the profession continues to prepare for potential implementation of expanded scope authorities. As regulatory and practice information evolves, OPA will continue to update members and share additional resources where appropriate.

Diagnostic Imaging

organization & program	cost & delivery mode	details
Key Clinical Skills Diagnostic Imaging – MSK Essentials	$475 $325 for OPA members Remote. OPA members- login to access an exclusive OPA discount code for this course!	This self-directed and case discussion-based online course equips physiotherapists with the knowledge, skills and competencies to apply for rostering to order diagnostic x-ray and ultrasound imaging in Ontario. This program delivers the comprehensive and clinically based information you need to appropriately order x-ray and ultrasound in an evidenced based, responsible manner.
University of Toronto Diagnostic Imaging for Physiotherapists	$500  $350 for OPA members OPA members- login to access an OPA exclusive discount code for this course!	This two-part, self-directed, case-based online course equips physiotherapists with the knowledge and skills to order diagnostic imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT, and ultrasound) in Ontario, including what is required to self-attest for this rostered act if scope changes. Participants will develop clinical reasoning skills to integrate imaging findings with assessment data, understand imaging indications and contraindications, and learn to communicate effectively with referring clinicians.
Embodia Radiography Essentials for Physiotherapists: X-ray Understanding, Application, and Requisition	$299 Remote	A distance-learning course that provides an overview of radiology in the context of musculoskeletal physiotherapy, developed in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association.  The course aims to provide understanding of foundational concepts in radiography, as well as risks, benefits, and utilization of radiography.  Course content includes highlighting the complexity of decision-making, interpretation, and the responsibility of the clinician when making referrals.
Embodia Frontal Chest Radiography Interpretation	$20 Remote	Distance-learning program with 1 hr and 40 min of material designed to provide knowledge related to analyzing frontal chest radiographs, examine a variety of abnormal frontal chest radiographs, and understand the process of interpreting chest radiographs in relation to common respiratory conditions in clinical practice.  Offered by Simone Gruenig, a Physiotherapist whose area of expertise falls within cardiorespiratory instruction and research in discharge planning in high-risk thoracic surgical populations.
University of Alberta Diagnostic Imaging for MSK Disorders in Primary Care	$975 (modules)   $75 (exam) Remote	Distance-learning program developed for physiotherapists to enhance knowledge and clinical decision-making skills to effectively utilize radiology, CT, MRI, and diagnostic ultrasound. Three self-paced modules which are 6-7 weeks in length each, which focus on basic principles in decision making, imaging of the lumbar spine and lower extremity, and imaging of the cervical spine and upper extremity, followed by a summative exam.

Laboratory Testing

organization & program	cost & delivery mode	details
Key Clinical Skills  Fundamentals of Lab Testing for Physiotherapists	$275 Remote	Distance learning program developed to prepare physiotherapists to order laboratory testing.  15 hours of self-paced learning over 10 weeks, including 10 audio-visual modules, readings, case studies, and additional resource materials.  Clinical utilization guidelines and summary resources are provided to support clinical practice.
Internationally Educated Dietitians Network of Canada Interpreting Laboratory Results	$79 Remote	Distance-learning program designed to provide healthcare professionals with knowledge of the basic concepts underlying interpretation of laboratory testing.  Content includes lipid panels, iron panels, blood panels, comprehensive metabolic panels, liver function tests, and routine urinalysis, among others.  General principles of lab result analysis and prevention of lab errors is covered through a series of modules, followed by a comprehensive exam.

University Programs

organization & program	cost & delivery mode	details
University of Toronto ACPAC: Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Arthritis Care	$11,275.00  Hybrid	A post-licensure, competency-based academic and clinical program that provides training in the diagnosis and management of patients with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.  Hosted by the University Health Network, in collaboration with Mount Sinai Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children.
Western University Advanced Health Care Practice (Master’s Program)	$14,000 Hybrid	A 1-year course-based master’s program for experienced healthcare professionals who want to obtain graduate level training in a specific field of study.  It offers 8 fields of study to choose from, including: clinical epidemiology and research management; sport and exercise medicine; upper extremity rehabilitation; comprehensive musculoskeletal physiotherapy; wound healing; interdisciplinary pain management; health equity and sustainability; and applied health sciences.  The advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy field covers diagnostic imaging and offers content in the context of complex presentations of musculoskeletal conditions.