Practicing in the USA & Canada

Practicing in Canada Practicing in the USA

Practicing in Canada

Graduates from Canada must pass their national examinations in order to be eligible to apply for licensure and to practice in their state or province of choice.
In Canada, the profession of physiotherapist is regulated in all Canadian provinces and territories (except the Northwest Territories and Nunavut). The provincial / territorial regulators set the standards for licensure. However, all graduates must take and pass the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE), which is administered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR), who also administer the Credentialing Process for international physiotherapy graduates. Having passed the PCE the graduate then applies for a license to the Province or Territory where they wish to practice.

NOTE: The CAPR discontinued the Clinical Component of the PCE in January of 2022 and is currently examining new systems for clinical evaluation. Having passed the written component of the PCE, the graduate will now apply for a provisional or interim license to the Province or Territory where they wish to practice.

Candidates are encouraged to contact the provincial or territorial Physiotherapy regulatory body in the province/territory in which they wish to practice for information on licensing.
1. Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators

Practicing in the USA

For Physical Therapists in the United States, candidates must take and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), which is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), before they can apply for state licensure. As licensure can vary state by state, we would encourage you to contact your state licensing authority for information on their respective requirements to practice.