The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario appreciates everyone’s frustration as a result of the cancellation of the clinical portion of the Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE) scheduled for March 20 and 21, 2021 by Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR).

We are writing to provide an update on where things stand with respect to the work the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario is doing in the short-term to address this issue.

The College’s mandate is to regulate the profession in the public interest. We are committed to quickly finding a solution that is in the public interest and also helps future physiotherapists move to the next stage of their careers and apply your knowledge and skills to help patients.

We have been asked by many in the profession to temporarily remove the requirement for a clinical exam. After careful deliberation and consideration, the College has made the decision that temporarily removing or exempting the requirement for a clinical exam would not be in the public interest.

The College understands the urgency and the need to find a solution to the current unavailability of the examination. We are actively meeting with CAPR to discuss an expedited plan for the exam, including the possibility of an Ontario-specific exam to address these extraordinary circumstances.

Finally, the College has set up a special Working Group to consider these, and other longer-term solutions with respect to entry to practice requirements.  

The College continues to be in discussions with the Ministry of Health and regulators across the country as coordination is essential to preserving labour mobility for the profession across Canada.

We are committed to keeping everyone up-to-date and are sorry we do not have more concrete news to share at this time. We accept our responsibility in urgently finding a way forward. Implementing a responsible and workable solution that both facilitates entry to practice for the profession and protects the public interest is the number one priority for the College.

We owe everyone transparency, honesty and respect as we move forward and will share updates on our progress.

Sincerely,

Darryn Mandel
President      


For more information please visit the PCE Exam Cancellation page.