Inappropriate Use of Title & Holding Out

The College occasionally receives reports about non-physiotherapists who are or are perceived to be holding themselves out as physiotherapists. These reports are typically made by concerned registrants of the College, patients or members of the public who may feel they have been misled.

The College regulates the practice of physiotherapy in Ontario under the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Physiotherapy Act. It has the authority to take legal action against individuals who may be holding themselves out as physiotherapists or physical therapists or who are using a variation or an abbreviation of title or an equivalent in another language.

One of the roles of a regulatory college acting within its broad public interest mandate is to expose those individuals who are holding themselves out as health professionals or who are causing confusion as to their status as health-care providers. It is in the public interest to expose these individuals since they are not accountable to a professional regulatory body and therefore not bound by professional standards of practice or subject to disciplinary processes.

The College’s response to reports of non-physiotherapists holding themselves out as physiotherapists may include interviewing witnesses, conducting undercover investigations or closely monitoring situations over time. On occasion, the College has notified the person suspected of holding himself or herself out that his or her activities are being monitored.

In certain circumstances where there is a particular public protection need and/or public interest concern, the College may publish public notices in local newspapers to alert members of the public to the status of the individual in question and the College's role in regulating the practice of physiotherapy.

The College will also sometimes notify related agencies, associations or people in an area about an individual who is or is perceived to be holding himself or herself out or causing confusion as to his or her status as a physiotherapist.

The College appreciates the assistance of the public and registrants in these matters and encourages registrants and members of the public to contact the College should such concerns come to their attention at any time.

For further information please refer to the College’s Position Statement on Non Physiotherapists’ use of restricted titles and/or contact the Director, Professional Conduct at (416) 591-3828 or (800) 583-5885 extension 233 or via email at investigations@collegept.org.