The College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba works in partnership with employers to protect and serve the public through physiotherapy regulation.
For more information on the recent trends in registered physiotherapists in Manitoba and collaborative work the College has been engaged in please see our Annual Reports Page.
Please review the information for Employers below. If you have any questions about the information provided, please contact the College at info@manitobaphysio.com.
The Physiotherapists Act has references to the role and responsibilities of an employer of a registered physiotherapist in Manitoba. The relevant sections are included below:
Offence by employer
58(4) If the employer of a member knowingly permits the member to fail to comply with a condition of the member’s certificate of registration, the employer is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $10,000.
Employer’s responsibility
Employer’s responsibility to ensure registration
65(1) Every person who employs a person as a physiotherapist shall ensure that the physiotherapist is registered under this Act during the period of employment. Responsibility to report misconduct 65(2) If a person who employs a physiotherapist terminates the physiotherapist’s employment for misconduct, incompetence or incapacity, the employe r shall promptly report the termination to the council and give the physiotherapist a copy of the report.
The College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba provides an easy-to-use tool to help members of the public, partners and employers identify whether a person providing services as a physiotherapist in Manitoba is registered with the College and whether there are any conditions or restrictions on their physiotherapy practice.
An employer can use this tool to ensure that new employees or current employees are registered with the College and if there are any conditions on the license or if the employee is able to perform certain high risk acts that requires them to apply for a roster/notation on their license with the College (Acupuncture, Pelvic Health Internals). The tool will also highlight conditions on an Examination Candidate’s license for the employer.
The scope of practice for physiotherapists in Manitoba is defined in The Physiotherapist Act and states “The practice of physiotherapy is the assessment and treatment of the body by physical or mechanical means for the purpose of restoring, maintaining or promoting physical function, mobility or health, or to relieve pain.”
Please send the College any questions you may have regarding Scope of Practice to info@manitobaphysio.com.
Use of Title and Credentials
Physiotherapists are required to follow the Practice Direction on Titles, Credentials and Specialty Designations to ensure they are representing themselves in a transparent, accurate, verifiable and meaningful way to the public. Registrants must use their protected title when engaging in clinical practice.
Further details on these requirements can be found in the Practice Direction linked above.
Physiotherapists are expected to participate in the Continuing Competency Program with the College. Please follow the link for Information on the Continuing Competency Program.
If an employee is randomly selected to participate in the Continuing Competency Program, the College may require the submission of up to 5 deidentified physiotherapy charts to the College office via fax or online submission to complete the Chart Audit. The physiotherapist will receive information that can be shared with the employer regarding the College’s right to access personal health information for this assessment purpose. If you have further questions about this process or the program, please contact the Continuing Competency Coordinator at ccc.cpm@manitobaphysio.com.
Hiring
Employers should be aware of the requirements related to hiring an Examination Candidate. Currently, an Examination Candidate in Manitoba is ready to find employment when they have registered for the next available national examination (the Canadian Physiotherapy Examination) or they have taken the exam and are awaiting the results. The Examination Candidate must also have found employment where they can work under supervision.
Supervision
Employers should be aware of the requirements of a Supervisor outlined in the Supervised Practice section of the website. An Examination Candidate CANNOT start employment until they have met the requirements for registration with the College.
An Examination Candidate must remain under supervision until they have successfully passed an approved entry-to-practice examination and transferred to the Active register. Please refer to the Registration and Licensing Direction Approved Entry-to-Practice Examination for more details.
An Examination Candidate has conditions on their license which will show when searching the individual in the Public Directory. These conditions are also outlined in the Registration and Licensing Direction Registration On The Examination Candidate Register. It is important to be aware of these conditions.
Clinical Evaluation in Manitoba – Practice Based Competency Assessment (PBCA)
The Practice Based Competency Assessment is the clinical evaluation that is phasing out in Manitoba with the return of the national entry to practice exam. This clinical evaluation is only available to Examination Candidates who registered with the College on or before December 31, 2025 using the Two-Exam Pathway. An Examination Candidate under this two-exam pathway will have to submit verified Practice Hours from their employer using the Request for Verification of Practice Hours form after completing 1200 supervised practice hours in Manitoba. An Examination Candidate will not be eligible to practice physiotherapy in Manitoba if they fail three attempts at a clinical evaluation or exceed 2 years on the Exam Candidate register, whichever comes first.
Please Note: The Canadian Physiotherapy Regulators (CPTR) have agreed to transition back to national entry to practice examination – a single examination which is started in January 2026. Any Examination Candidate registering on or after January 1,2026 will follow the One-Exam Pathway and will need to successfully pass the Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE) to convert to a full Active practice license in Manitoba.
The College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba (CPM) expects physiotherapists to practice safely, ethically, competently and follow the rules set by the CPM. If you are concerned about a physiotherapist under your employment, you have the right to file a formal complaint.
You can find information on the Complaints process and information on how to submit a Complaint on the College website.