PHYSIOTHERAPY COMPETENCY EXAMINATION

PHYSIOTHERAPYCOMPETENCYEXAMINATIONPolicy Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS1.Introduction . 12.General Information . 2About the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR). 2Purpose and Structure of the Physiotherapy Competency Examination . 23.Requirements for Registration Not Uniform Across Canada . 34.The Licensing/Registration Process . 45.Eligibility to Take the Physiotherapy Competency Exam . 5Scope . 5Purpose . 5Policy . 5Initial Eligibility for Canadian-educated Candidates . 5Initial Eligibility for Internationally-educated Candidates . 5Retaking the Exam—Current Candidates . 6Retaking the Exam—Candidates Starting prior to 2013 . 66.Candidate Identification . 77.Scoring . 8Written Component (Qualifying Exam) . 8Your Standard Score . 8Understanding Your Standard Score. 8Your Performance Profile . 8Clinical Component (Physiotherapy National Exam). 8Total Score . 9Number of Stations . 9Critical Incidents. 98.Exam Results. 109.Re-taking the Exam . 1110.Re-scoring, Administrative Reconsideration and Appeals . 12Re-scoring . 12

Administrative Reconsideration Policy . 12Scope . 12Principles . 12Definitions . 12Purpose . 13Policy . 13Appeal Policy . 14Scope . 14Principles . 14Definitions . 14Purpose . 15Policy . 1511.Additional Information . 17Limitations . 17Limits of CAPR’s Liability. 17Financial Assistance . 18Research . 18Privacy Policy . 1812.Confidentiality and Security of Exam Material . 1913.Rules of Conduct for the Physiotherapy Competency Examination and ExamSecurity . 20Actions of CAPR in the Event of Suspected Cheating . 2114.Alternative Accommodations . 23Principles. 23To Legislative References . 23Definitions . 24Policy . 24Procedure . 2515.Resources. 26CAPR Resources . 26External Resources . 27

Bridging Programs for Internationally Educated Physiotherapists . 2716.Contacting CAPR . 2817.Description of the Exam . 29Written Component (Qualifying Exam) . 29Clinical Component (Physiotherapy National Exam). 2918.Station Descriptions for the Clinical Component . 32Couplet Stations: Five-Minute Clinical Encounter Plus Five-Minute Written Station. 32Five-Minute Clinical Encounter . 32Five-Minute Written Station . 32Ten-Minute Stations . 33

Physiotherapy Competency Examination Policy Guide1.IntroductionThe Physiotherapy Competency Examination Policy Guide contains the policies governing the Physiotherapy1Competency Examination (PCE). The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) reserves the right tochange these policies and procedures without prior notice.Candidates can find a description of the application process, the required forms and other instructions forregistering for the PCE at www.alliancept.org.For the examination application, process, dates and fees, please see the PCE Examination Registration Guide.Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators1243 Islington Avenue, Suite 501Toronto, Ontario, Canada M8X 1Y9Telephone: (416) 234-8800 Fax: (416) 234-8820Website: www.alliancept.org Email: csc exams@alliancept.org1Physiotherapy, physiotherapist, physical therapy, physical therapist, physiothérapeute, physiothérapie, PT and pht are official marks used withpermission. In this document, physical therapy means the same thing as physiotherapy, and physical therapist means the same thing asphysiotherapist.Page 1

Physiotherapy Competency Examination Policy Guide2.General InformationAbout the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR)CAPR, incorporated in 1992, is dedicated to developing and improving regulatory standards of practice forphysiotherapists. Our member organizations regulate physiotherapy according to provincial and territoriallegislation.Purpose and Structure of the Physiotherapy Competency ExaminationThe Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE) tests whether qualified exam candidates havedemonstrated a minimum standard of practice. It fairly and accurately evaluates the competencies needed topractise physiotherapy. All physiotherapy regulators in Canada, except Quebec, require applicants to havepassed the PCE before being granted the right to practice; although Quebec requires all applicants trainedoutside Quebec to have passed the PCE. Quebec-trained applicants must pass a comprehensive exam unique tothat province that is equivalent to the PCE.The PCE, and its Quebec equivalent, tests the essential competencies of physiotherapy practice - the essentialknowledge, skills and abilities. It tests history-taking, physical examination, data interpretation, clinical problemsolving, treatment techniques, ethics, safety, interviewing and communication. The exam covers the coreclinical practice areas: neuromusculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary-vascular and multisystem.The PCE has two components; the first is written, the second is clinical.Candidates must pass the Written Component (Qualifying Exam) to be eligible to attempt the ClinicalComponent (Physiotherapy National Exam).Written Component (Qualifying Exam). A multiple-choice exam that tests the candidate’s understanding of theprinciples and processes of physiotherapy practice.Clinical Component (Physiotherapy National Exam). An objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) that tests thecandidate’s ability to safely and effectively apply the principles and processes of physiotherapy practice.Page 2

Physiotherapy Competency Examination Policy Guide3.Requirements for Registration Not Uniform Across CanadaRequirements for registration as a physiotherapist differ from province to province and territory to territory.Applicants are responsible for contacting the provincial or territorial physiotherapy regulator where they wishto become registered for details.For example, some regulators may require applicants to pass an examination testing their knowledge of therules of physiotherapy practice in that jurisdiction, or the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE). Somemay require applicants to submit evidence of good character in jurisdictions where the applicant waspreviously registered.Federally, the two official languages of Canada are English and French. But not all provinces and territories areofficially bilingual. All provincial and territorial regulators will require fluency in either English or French, butnot both.Applicants who wish to practice in Quebec must be fluent in French and must contact l’Ordre professionnel dela physiothérapie du Québec.Prospective Ontario applicants may “pre-register” with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario before theyqualify for practice in that province. Although pre-registration is optional, the Ontario College stronglyrecommends it.Those interested in practising in Northwest Territories or Nunavut must contact the territorial healthdepartment or their proposed employer.Page 3

Physiotherapy Competency Examination Policy Guide4.The Licensing/Registration ProcessPage 4

Physiotherapy Competency Examination Policy Guide5.Eligibility to Take the Physiotherapy Competency ExamDate revised: April 23, 2018ScopeThis policy applies to all Canadian-educated and internationally-educated physiotherapists attempting thePhysiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE). This policy applies to both the Written Component (Qualifying Exam)and the Clinical Component (Physiotherapy National Exam) of the PCE.PurposeTo provide clarity regarding who may attempt the PCE, when they are eligible to attempt the Written or ClinicalComponents of the PCE and the number of attempts a candidate is permitted for each component.PolicyInitial Eligibility for Canadian-educated CandidatesCanadian-educated candidates must be enrolled in an entry-to-practice physiotherapy program that has beenaccredited by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC). Canadian-educated candidates mayattempt the Written Component of the PCE in their final term of academic study. To attempt the ClinicalComponent of the PCE, Canadian-educated candidates must have completed their full course of study andmust be eligible for graduation. Clinical exam results will not be released to the candidate until the CanadianAlliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) has received an official transcript, directly from the university,proving that the candidate has successfully completed the physiotherapy program and is eligible forgraduation.Initial Eligibility for Internationally-educated CandidatesBefore being permitted to attempt the Written Component of the PCE, internationally-educated candidatesmust have written confirmation of eligibility from the CAPR Credentialling Program indicating that thecandidate has successfully met the CAPR Credentialling Standards, which require a physiotherapy educationthat is deemed not substantially different from that of a Canadian-educated candidate, as well as proof oflanguage proficiency in English or French.All candidates, both Canadian-educated or internationally-educated, must pass the Written Component to beeligible to attempt the Clinical Component of the PCE.Page 5

Physiotherapy Competency Examination Policy GuideRetaking the Exam—Current CandidatesAll candidates, whether Canadian-educated or internationally-educated, have a maximum of 3 attempts topass the Written Component of the PCE and a maximum of 3 attempts to pass the Clinical Component of thePCE. After 3 failed attempts at either component, a candidate has exhausted his or her exam eligibility. Thisapplies to all new candidates and candidates who attempted the Written Component for the first time in 2013or later. These candidates are referred to as Section A candidates.Retaking the Exam—Candidates Starting prior to 2013All candidates, whether Canadian-educated or internationally-educated, who prior to 2013 attempted theWritten Component of the PCE for the first time (referred to as Section B candidates) have a maximum of 5attempts to pass the Written Component and a maximum of 5 attempts to pass the Clinical Component, as wasthe policy in place at the time of their first attempt. After 5 failed attempts at either component, a candidatehas exhausted his or her exam eligibility.Page 6

Physiotherapy Competency Examination Policy Guide6.Candidate IdentificationAs of January 1st, 2019 , CAPR will no longer require candidates to provide a Declaration of Identity Form (DIF)as a proof of identity when registering for the Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE).Each candidate is required to provide 1 colour passport sized/quality photograph taken within 6 months of thedate of applying for their initial written exam should that candidate be educated in Canada (CEPT). On the backof the photograph, you must provide your name (printed), the date the photograph was taken, and yoursignature.For Internationally educated candidates (IEPT’s), please see the Credentialling policy guideline for moreinformation on what is required from you.The lifespan of the candidate’s photograph will remain the same as the Declaration of Identity. Following 5years (starting from the date of the candidates initial application), the candidate is responsible for ensuringthat a new photograph is sent in prior to registering for their next exam. Applicants who change theirappearance during the PCE process must submit a new photograph. The photographs submitted will be used tocheck identity when applicants arrive to take the PCE. Applicants whose appearance does not match thephotograph and information prepared for the PCE may not be able to take the e x a m .Should other forms of information change such as your name, please complete and send in a change ofinformation form along with all relevant supporting documentation.Page 7