Physiotherapists

Internationally Educated

You are an internationally educated applicant if you graduated from a university outside of Canada. This includes Canadian citizens who studied abroad. 


Registration process

Step 1.        

Find out if your physiotherapy education is similar to a Canadian educated physiotherapist. The review of your education, often referred to as ‘credentialing’, is done by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators. You must pay $860 (Canadian funds) for the review. 


Tips:

  • Start the process before you leave your home country so you are in a better position to obtain the necessary documentation and make informed decisions about next steps if your education is not similar to a Canadian educated physiotherapist.
  • Make sure you are eligible to apply. See the credentialing standards on page 6 and 7 of the Credentialing Handbook.


Step 2.         

Successfully complete the Physiotherapy Competency Exam. The exam assesses your readiness to practice safe, effective, independent physiotherapy. The exam has a written and clinical component and can only be completed in Canada. You must pay $2,225 (Canadian funds) to take both components of the exam once.

Exam information and application forms are available on the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators website.

Tips:

  • Complete both components of the exam in English to meet Alberta’s language requirement.
  • Apply for registration as a physiotherapist to obtain work experience in Alberta before taking the clinical component of the exam.


Step 3.            

Apply for registration to practice physiotherapy in Alberta.

All applicants must provide:

  • Registration checklist outlining how you will meet Alberta’s registration requirements.
  • Verification request form completed by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators to confirm education is similar to a Canadian educated physiotherapist.
  • Evidence of proficiency in the English language.
  • Work experience for last five years.
  • Reference from the jurisdictions you were last licensed to confirm license status and discipline history.
  • Evidence of personally holding $5,000,000 liability insurance covering all areas of practice. .
  • Photo ID such as a current driver's license or passport.
  • Application and practice permit fee.
  • Complete application form.


Applicants who completed both components of the Physiotherapy Competency Exam must also provide a copy of their exam certificate.

Applicants who passed the written component of the PCE but not passed the clinical component must also provide:


Type of registration you are eligible for:

General register:

  • meet all registration requirements
  • may use title physiotherapist or initials PT
  • must renew practice permit annually
  • may, if authorized, perform a restricted activity


Provisional register:

  • passed the written component of the Physiotherapy Competency Exam but not the clinical component
  • may practice only under supervision
  • must use title physiotherapist intern
  • registration may not exceed two years or two exam failures


Processing time

We will acknowledge receipt of your application via email within three working days and give you an electronic link where you can monitor your application status. Your application will be processed within three business days once we have received all the required documentation and determined you meet the requirements for registration as a physiotherapist in Alberta. Once registered you will be issued a practice permit which then entitles you to practice physiotherapy in Alberta.  You cannot begin to work as a physiotherapist in Alberta until you are registered and hold a valid practice permit so please plan your employment start date accordingly. 

Questions

 

Useful websites


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