Supervised Practice - College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba

What is Clinical Supervision

Clinical supervision is a formal mentorship process designed to enhance a candidate’s clinical knowledge, competency, and professional accountability. Under the guidance of an experienced physiotherapist, candidates develop the ability to deliver safe, ethical, and effective patient care in complex clinical settings.

Who requires Clinical Supervision

The College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba (CPM) mandates the Supervised Practice Program for the following candidates to ensure competence and safety in physiotherapy practice in Manitoba:
• New graduates from Canadian physiotherapy programs
• Internationally Educated Physiotherapists (IEPs) who meet the requirements for registration in Manitoba
• Re-entry candidates resuming professional practice
Please review the following resources for support through clinical supervision:

Document to Review

Important Notes

Supervision Guide for Manitoba Physiotherapists

This guide includes general information on supervision including a section specific to Examination Candidates. The Examination Candidate section includes a comprehensive overview of supervised practice for all pathways (CPTE Single Exam, PBCA Two-Exam). Covers supervision models (direct → indirect), responsibilities, progression, evaluation tools (ICPT after 10 days, ACP), management of an Examination Candidate with failure of the exam.

Registration and Licensing Direction – Practice Based Competency Assessment Program

PBCA-specific (2-exam pathway only). Details eligibility, responsibilities, and evaluation components.

Registration and Licensing Direction (RLD) – Supervised Practice for Examination Candidates

Applies to all Exam Candidates (new grads, IEPs, re-entry). Outlines supervision responsibilities and eligibility.

Supervision Practice Direction – Supervision

Supervision standard discusses accountability, delegation, monitoring, and public protection.

Supervised Practice Plan

Supervisor-submitted plan detailing supervision methods (direct observation, progression to indirect,) and handling unavailability. Required before candidate starts; applies to CPTE, and re-entry.

Supervised Practice Agreement – Two-Exam Pathway with the PBCA (registered on or before December 31, 2025.)

Supervisor-submitted plan detailing supervision methods (direct observation, progression to indirect,) and handling unavailability. Required before candidate starts at any employer – applies to PBCA.

Supervision Practice Agreement – Pathway with the CPTE (registered on or after January 1, 2026.)

Agreement variant for CPTE Single Exam pathway. Confirms supervision obligations, evaluations (adjusted frequency), and progression to independent practice upon clinical success.

Registration and Licensing Direction (RLD) – Failure of an Entry to Practice Clinical Evaluation

Registration and Licensing Direction (RLD) – Failure of an Entry to Practice Examination

Post-failure obligations and steps. Requires continued supervised practice

Initial Clinical Performance Tool

The Board of Assessors of the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba has developed the following tool to assist in performance evaluation of Examination Candidates. The purpose of this evaluation is to assist the supervisor in determining the level of supervision required for the Examination Candidate.

Assessment of Clinical Performance (ACP)

Supervisors are required to complete the ACP. A link to the online ACP form will be provided in the Supervisor’s initial supervision email.

FAQ

Yes, Exam Candidates can bill independently.

An Examination Candidate does not have an independent license to practice, so they must always be under the supervision of a fully licensed physiotherapist. The Supervisor must assess the Examination Candidate after a minimum of 10 days in clinical practice to look at their safety and competence in practice to determine if the Examination Candidate can move to indirect supervision. Under indirect supervision, the Examination Candidate may work in isolation but must always be able to contact the Supervisor if required.

The supervisor must assess the Examination Candidate as outlined in the Registration and Licensing Direction Supervised Practice for Examination Candidates. This information is also detailed in the Supervision Guide for Manitoba Physiotherapists

Until the Exam Candidate passes a clinical evaluation, including the PBCA, or passes the CPTE and transfers to the Active register, or until a change of Supervisor is mutually agreed upon by both Supervisor and Exam Candidate. This change must be reported to the CPM.

The Supervisor must make arrangements for supervision by another physiotherapist when the Supervisor is not available. This temporary change does not need to be reported to CPM; only PERMANENT changes (>3 weeks) in Supervisor need to be reported to CPM.

Fee schedules are not set by CPM. Each individual employer may choose to compensate how they see fit and align with Practice Direction Funding Fees and Billing.

If the Exam Candidate fails the Clinical Evaluation or CPTE, they continue with supervised practice as outlined in the associated Registration and Licensing Directions until successful completion of an approved entry-to-practice evaluation/examination or until they have exceeded the time or attempt maximum allowed on the register as outlined in Regulations at the time that they registered.