Physiotherapist Jobs in Canada – Everything Newcomers Need to Know

The need for physiotherapists in Canada is on the rise. As Canada’s population is aging there is an increasing need for professionals in this field. Like other professions in healthcare, there is a shortage of physiotherapists. This has created an opportunity for internally licensed physiotherapists to move to Canada and help fill the void. Learn more about physiotherapist jobs in Canada and what you require to work.

To work as a physiotherapist in Canada, employers require a university degree in physiotherapy and a period of supervised practical training. You also require a licence or registration with a physiotherapist regulatory body in the province or territory where you plan to settle. Because physiotherapists belong to a regulated profession, you can only practice as a physiotherapist or physical therapist if you are licensed as a full member of a provincial or territorial regulatory body. These bodies are represented by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapist Regulators (The Alliance).

This overview of the Physiotherapist field in Canada will give you insights into employment requirements, credentials recognition, job search techniques, and more.

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Physiotherapist

Before You Move to Canada to Pursue a Physiotherapist Career

Now is an exciting time to move to Canada to continue your career as a physiotherapist because there are many opportunities. But, you need to follow specific steps to gain employment. 

To help you take charge and continue your career in Canada, there are steps that you can take before you move. Careful research of job requirements will improve your chances of practicing Physiotherapist in Canada:

Attend the Job Search Strategies and Techniques in Canada webinar to learn about the labour market, trends, and employment forecasts.

• Contact the provincial or territorial physiotherapist regulatory association in the province where you plan to settle in Canada.

• Find out what procedures you must follow, potential costs, and the time required to obtain a licence to practice in Canada.

• Determine what steps in the licensing process you can take before and after you move.

• Assess your language skills by taking an online self-assessment on theCentre for Canadian Language Benchmarks website.

• Improve your language skills and enroll in language classes while you are in your home country and continue them after you move to Canada. You will need to prove your English or French (depending on your destination province) language competency or be tested.

• Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country. Check with your provincial or territorial regulatory body about what documents you need to bring. Verify if they need to be translated. You may need to use a professional translation service in Canada.

• Understand how Physiotherapist is practiced in Canada and become familiar with provincial laws that govern your profession where you will settle.

Following these steps will help you to position yourself well to find a physiotherapist job once you arrive in Canada.

What to Expect When Pursuing a Physiotherapist Career in Canada

Employment Outlook for Physiotherapist Jobs in Canada 

Physiotherapists are in demand in Canada. This is a shortage of professionals in this field that is expected to last until 2028. There are expected to be 13,600 job openings between 2019-2028 according to the Government of Canada. However, only 11,300 new therapists will be seeking jobs during this time. This creates a great opportunity for international professionals to fill these Physiotherapist jobs.

Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Physiotherapist Jobs in Canada

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) provides a standard definition of the physiotherapist’s role, main duties, job requirements, and example titles. You can use the five-digit NOC code 31202 to conduct basic research about the role in Canada.

The NOC also provides a list of example titles for physiotherapists. You can use these titles when searching for jobs in Canada.

You can also conduct further research at the Canadian government Job Bank site. Here you will find key facts about working in the field, including information about wages, job prospects, required skills, and more.

Requirements for Becoming a Physiotherapist in Canada

Because Physiotherapist is a regulated profession in Canada, you will need to get certified by a regulatory authority in the province where you plan to settle. This will require a credentials assessment to support your job search, apply for professional licensure, or apply for post-secondary education in Canada.

Credential Recognition Meeteet Physiotherapist Job Requirements in Canada

The provincial or territorial regulatory body can advise you about the documents you require, assessment fees, and the specific process to follow. It’s vital to contact the regulatory body in the province where you plan to settle before you arrive in Canada to learn what you require to work.

It’s also important to take your time and fully understand the licensure process and what the regulatory body will expect of you. Regardless of your education or experience, you need to have a licence to practice as a physiotherapist in Canada.

• The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapist Regulators will assess your educational credentials and qualifications if you are immigrating to the Yukon Territory and all the provinces except Quebec.

• You must complete the Physiotherapist Competency Exam (PCE), which has a writing component (Qualifying Exam) and a Clinical Component (Physiotherapist National Exam). You can get information on the credentialing process, exam dates, and resources for you to prepare for the exam on The Alliance’s website.

After you complete the PCE exam and the other provincial regulatory requirements, you can apply for full licensure or registration as a physiotherapist. If you’re immigrating to Quebec, you must follow the requirements set out by the l’Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Quebec.

Credential Assessment Services

If you plan to enroll in a college or university program to upgrade your skills, contact the school that you plan to attend to find out what assessment agency you should use. These are some of the recognized assessment agencies that you can use:

World Education Services (WES) – Ontario

International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) – Alberta

The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – British Columbia

To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.

How Do Credential Evaluation and Recognition Differ? (Infographic)

Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Physiotherapist Job Requirements

In addition to accreditation, upgrading your skills through a bridging program or other courses is an important part of your journey to becoming a physiotherapist in Canada.

You can benefit from learning and professional growth opportunities that are offered through continuing education courses and seminars.

Skills Upgrading to Qualify for Physiotherapist Jobs in Canada

In addition to having strong technical skills, it’s vital to have effective communication and professional skills (or soft skills). Demonstrating both technical skills and soft skills will help you to find the job that you desire and succeed in the role. As a physiotherapist, you must be interested in helping people. You may need more training or skills upgrading, especially regarding your soft skills. Those working in healthcare are expected to have strong bedside manners and excellent interpersonal skills.

Language Training for Physiotherapists in Canada

Physiotherapists require effective communication skills, patience, adaptability, and the ability to give directives to patients. Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages, English or French, is important for your future in Canada. Whether you focus on learning or improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.

You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find other free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through school boards or settlement agencies. 

There are even language courses to teach you professional terminologies, such as job-specific language training and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT) in Ontario. And, if you already speak one of Canada’s two official languages at a high level, learning the other one is a good option, as it may offer you better job opportunities.

Bridging Programs for Physiotherapist Careers in Canada

In Canada, you may be eligible to attend a bridging program to continue working in your Physiotherapist career. Bridging programs help “bridge” your international experience and training with what Canadian employers require. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer Physiotherapist bridging programs or workshops. You may be eligible for one.

Here are some Physiotherapist bridging programs for internationally educated professionals (IEPs) that you can explore to support your academic options.

Alberta

University of Alberta

Physical Therapy Bridging Certificate Program (PTBC)

This program supports internationally educated physical therapists (IEPTs), who already possess qualifications verified by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapist Regulators, to work toward licensing requirements to practice as a physiotherapist in Alberta.

Academic coursework is designed to support the development of the additional knowledge, skills, and clinical reasoning required to meet Canadian entry-to-practice standards. Cultural and workplace orientation is provided to help integrate into the workplace.

British Columbia

University of British Columbia

Physio Refresh

The Physio Refresh program assists IEPs to prepare for and complete the written and practical components of the Physiotherapist Competency Exams.

Ontario

Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy Bridging Program

This program provides educational opportunities for physical therapists educated outside of Canada, who already possess specified qualifications. It helps IEPs, to develop the knowledge, skills, and clinical reasoning required to meet Canadian entry-to-practice standards. The program also provides cultural and workplace orientation to facilitate success in the workplace.

Physiotherapist Schools in Canada

If you plan to continue your education in Canada, here are some of the physiotherapist schools in Canada. Continuing your education is a vital part of career development that contributes to your professional success.

University	Province
McMaster University	Ontario
Queen’s University	Ontario
University of Ottawa	Ontario
University of Toronto	Ontario
Western University	Ontario
University of British Columbia	British Columbia
University of Alberta	Alberta
University of Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan
University of Manitoba	Manitoba
McGill University	Quebec
Université Laval	Quebec
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi	Quebec
Dalhousie University	Nova Scotia

Physiotherapist Associations in Canada

There are a variety of Physiotherapist associations across Canada. The associations listed below provide additional information about licensing and certification and offer a variety of professional development, education, and networking opportunities.

National Physiotherapist Associations in Canada

There are two nationally recognized Physiotherapist associations in the country. They are:

Canadian Physiotherapist Association (CPA)

Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapist Regulators  (The Alliance)

Provincial and Territorial Physiotherapist Regulatory Bodies

Here’s a list of Physiotherapist associations by province:

Alberta

Physiotherapist Alberta

British Columbia

College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC)

Manitoba

College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba (CPTMB)

New Brunswick

College of Physiotherapists of New Brunswick (CPNB)

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador College of Physiotherapists

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists (NSCP)

Ontario

College of Physiotherapists of Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island College of Physiotherapists (PEICP)

Quebec

Ordre professionnel des physiothérapeutes du Québec (OPQ)

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists (SCPT)

Yukon

Professional Licensing, Department of Community Services, Government of Yukon

Immigrant Networks

Internationally trained therapists can use immigrant networks in Canada to get assistance with making the transition to working in Canada. 

Professional immigrant networks are volunteer-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities. They also provide opportunities for their members to achieve their professional goals.

These networks offer networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development, and connections to employment opportunities.

For example, there is the isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia: which can provide help to newcomers to integrate economically and socially into the province of Nova Scotia.

For information, tools, free webinars, and more visit our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. Get the help you need to achieve your career goals in Canada!

How Much Do Physiotherapists Make in Canada?

Physiotherapists can be paid a salary or a per-hour basis. Roles can be part-time or full-time depending on where you work. Some people work part-time hours at multiple facilities. The hourly rate is $25 to $50 per hour based on the Canadian average. The median hourly rate is $41.03. In a full-time role, you could make $48,100 to $96,200. Salary can vary based on your experience, specialization, location, and other considerations.

Physiotherapist Salary in Canada

Here are the most recent physiotherapist salary numbers in Canada:

Province	Low ($/hour)	Median ($/hour)	High ($/hour)
Alberta	19.45	41.54	52.70
British Columbia	40.00	43.00	56.04
Manitoba	23.08	38.00	42.00
New Brunswick	27.40	37.00	42.00
Newfoundland and Labrador	31.25	42.83	50.00
Northwest Territories	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nova Scotia	23.65	39.00	44.00
Nunavut	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ontario	18.00	42.00	49.00
Prince Edward Island	27.03	39.00	45.13
Quebec	32.05	38.50	49.04
Saskatchewan	23.08	44.00	49.00
Yukon	N/A	N/A	N/A

Best Provinces to Work in Canada as a Physiotherapist Based on Salary & Lifestyle

The labour market conditions for 2019-2028 show a labour shortage at the national level. And, job opportunities for physiotherapists are expected to be good for the next few years. While there is a shortage of physiotherapists across all of Canada, the shortage is higher in smaller cities. Hospital and Physiotherapist clinics often have trouble finding qualified workers. Your chances of finding employment may be better in these areas.

Using labour market research from the Government of Canada Job Bank, you can assess the health of the provincial and regional labour market. This can help you to identify provinces and cities where you may like to settle based on job opportunities over the next three years.

Once you identify provinces where the job prospects are good, you can also research cities within the province that have the same outlook. For example, in the Province of Alberta, job prospects remain good in cities like Calgary and Edmonton. And, to get a flavour of the city, you can further explore if it meets your personal, professional, and social needs. For example, here are some cities across Canada where the job bank shows a good outlook:

Calgary, Alberta

Edmonton, Alberta

Fredericton, New Brunswick

Hamilton, Ontario

London, Ontario

Ottawa, Ontario.

Pursuing a Physiotherapist Career in Canada

Becoming a physiotherapist in Canada follows a similar path to many other healthcare careers. You need to get the right academic credentials, relevant work experience, and a plan for where you want to work within the country. Below is valuable information to help you pursue a physiotherapist career in Canada:

Major Employers for Physiotherapist Jobs in Canada

The job outlook for the Physiotherapist profession in Canada is positive. Many jobs are expected to open over the next few years due to both newly created positions as well as because older workers retiring.

Physiotherapists in Canada are normally employed at hospitals, health care centers, industry and sports organizations, and rehabilitation centres, but opportunities also exist for those wishing to set up private clinics.

You can visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to check for hospitals or healthcare centres where you may be interested in working. This special designation recognizes Canada’s best employers for diversity, inclusion, and equity.

How to Become a Registered Physiotherapist in Canada

To work as a physiotherapist in Canada, you must complete a bachelor’s degree and then complete a Master’s degree in Physiotherapist. You are then required to complete the Physiotherapist Competency Examination (PCE) before you are eligible to practice. There are two types of licence registration:

• Provisional Practice: You’ll work as a PT resident under the supervision of a College-approved supervisor. 

• Independent Practice: You are fully licensed and no longer must practice under supervision. 

How to Find Your First Canadian Physiotherapist Job

The Canadian job market is competitive, so you need to prepare and understand the job search steps needed to gain employment.  

To work as a physiotherapist, you must register with the province or territory where you intend to settle. And you must look for jobs in the region where you will register. Therefore, take your time researching job requirements in that region and develop a plan for finding work.

There are many ways to search for Physiotherapist jobs:

• Broaden your search and include alternative careers.

• Seek out a mentor who currently works in the field who could share valuable insight and probably introduce you to their professional network.

• Join Physiotherapist or healthcare job-finding or networking clubs through immigrant-serving agencies.

• Attend Physiotherapist or healthcare job fairs and regularly check the online job boards. Check the job boards at Physiotherapist colleges, associations, hospitals, and other health institutions.

Use Immigrant Settlement Agencies to Find Physiotherapist Jobs

You may discover that finding a job in Canada is different than in your home country. Fortunately, most settlement agencies and other immigrant-serving organizations offer help to find jobs, update your resume, write cover letters, prepare for job interviews, and understand what Canadian employers value.

Click the link to find immigrant services in your area.

Career Networking for Physiotherapists

Networking is an important activity that can help you to grow your connections and discover job leads. Your professional network can also offer you advice and information about working in Physiotherapy in Canada. As many job vacancies are often “hidden,” for example, they are not widely advertised, your network can help you to discover these job openings. Your contacts can help connect you to practicing physiotherapists and others in your field so that you can expand your network.

Good places to network include conferences, associations, and schools. Networking is all about meeting people, building relationships, and sharing information.

LinkedIn is another place to network. It’s a great space to connect with former colleagues and employers, search for companies and jobs, and get introductions and recommendations. You can also invite other physiotherapists to join your network or join related professional groups.

But remember, that you have to allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking.

Informational Interviews for Physiotherapists in Canada

While the job outlook looks good for physiotherapists, landing your first job in Canada requires effort and outreach. Informational interviewing can help you to learn more about how Physiotherapist is practiced in Canada, or issues that are affecting the field. Requesting to conduct an informational interview is a terrific way to learn more about the industry. 

Informational interviews are typically no longer than 30 minutes. Your goal is to gather information about the field, not to get a job. This will help you to gain insight into what skills and experience are required, or what skills you may need to develop. In addition to basic information about the Physiotherapist field in Canada, you’ll learn from their first-hand experiences and impressions.

• Make a list of the hospitals, Physiotherapist clinics, public health agencies, and others, as desired, that operate in your area.

• Use your resources including professional organizations, LinkedIn, and other networking tools to identify organization insiders, health unit coordinators, etc., that you may want to interview.

• Create 15-20 open-ended questions that will yield full and useful information.

Resume Writing for Physiotherapists

The Canadian job market is competitive. So, you need to stand out from other physical therapy applicants to continue your career in Canada. As a physiotherapist, you need a specific set of skills to be successful in your field. Your resume should emphasize your education and experience, and a chronological resume is the most effective format. An effective physiotherapist resume must also highlight the following: Proficiencies, licenses and certifications, and achievements.

Here are some tips to help your resume stand out:

Objective

Be specific about your area of expertise and the environment you’d like to work in, such as “To obtain a physiotherapist position at a private clinic that focuses on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.”

Experience

List your employment dates and highlight your most relevant skills, such as working with a certain population, or expertise with specialized techniques, injuries, or afflictions.

Keywords

Use relevant Physiotherapist keywords on your resume. The keywords are often used to scan the resume through applicant tracking systems and help your resume get discovered. database. You can use keywords such as titles of the job, qualifications, professional affiliations, areas of expertise, patient assessment, geriatrics, muscle re-education, and others. If you use acronyms, make sure to spell out the words so your resume can be scanned for those words.

Interview Techniques

With competition in the Physiotherapist job market, it’s important to be professional. Your behaviour will indicate to the interviewer how you will perform should they offer you a job.

When you interview for a job, the hiring manager will ask questions about your education and experience, but they will also ask about how you work with patients. Because physical therapy requires effective communication skills, patience, and adaptability, the employer wants to confirm your ability to connect with patients in a professional and caring manner.

Here are some tips to help you succeed in your interview:

Show Interest in Physiotherapist

As with other medical professions, an employer wants assurance that you’re passionate and committed to the rehabilitation process. Share with the interviewer how you became interested in physical therapy and the path you took to certification.

Get Your Sales Pitch Ready

During the job interview, your job is to persuade the interviewer that you are the best physiotherapist for the role. So, to do that, discuss your background, education, experience, achievements, and why you’re the best candidate for the job.

Communication Style

Prepare to answer questions about your ability to communicate and interact with patients. Because physical therapy requires giving friendly, understandable directives to patients, hiring managers want to know that you communicate positively. This communication style is vital to gaining the trust and confidence of patients. Explain how you get patients to perform exercises willingly. Discuss ways that you praise and encourage patients’ rehabilitation efforts. A confident and affirming communication style can help you get the job.

Highlight Your Success

Discuss specific situations in which previous patients achieved positive results or a complete recovery because of your treatment. The interviewer might ask you to discuss a memorable experience with a patient, a time you effectively treated a difficult patient, or a situation where you helped a patient overcome overwhelming odds. Even though some patients never recover completely, a hiring manager wants assurance that your skills, education, and experience produce positive results.

Get more great tips for successful networking: Build Your Professional Network Before You Arrive.
With a positive outlook for physiotherapist jobs in Canada, now is the time to check out your options.

Interested in learning more about working in Canada? Check out our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. We can help you achieve your career goals in Canada.