The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario is aware that the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) has cancelled the November 2020 clinical exam. We understand how disappointing and frustrating this is for individuals who were scheduled to attempt the exam in both June and November 2020.

No one could have anticipated the path that COVID-19 was going to take, but given the recent trend of increasing cases in areas where the exam is traditionally run, the public health directives and physical distancing requirements, the fact that some exam sites are not prepared to host the exam and the limitation of the number of candidates that would be able to attempt the exam even if it were to be held, CAPR felt that they have no choice but to cancel the November 2020 exam.

CAPR has moved the first component of the Physiotherapy Competency Exam (written component) to a virtual model which means that individuals can access this exam from home while the virtual proctoring continues to ensure the integrity of the exam. Once a candidate has successfully completed the PCE – Written they can apply for a Provisional Practice Certificate of Registration. The individuals who hold this certificate (Physiotherapy Residents) are required to work under supervision, however the level of supervision required is intended to reflect the individual’s knowledge, skills, abilities and professional judgement. Some individuals may require a lot of supervision while the supervision requirements for others might be much less.

Normally the Provisional Practice Certificate of Registration is time limited meaning that individuals are required to attempt the clinical exam as soon as possible following their successful completion of the written exam. Given that there is some uncertainty as to when the clinical exam may be offered, the College is extending the duration of the Provisional Practice certificates until such time that the individual can attempt the exam and receive their results.  

We understand that CAPR is looking at alternative ways to deliver the PCE – Clinical and we are supportive of the efforts CAPR is making to assist regulators in ensuring that applicants possess the required knowledge, skills, abilities and judgement to serve the needs of Ontario patients.

We will strive to provide our registrants and prospective applicants with updates as information becomes available to us. 

View the full announcement from CAPR.