Updated Examination Requirement in 2026

In January 2026, CAPR launched the Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE), a single licensure examination.

The Council of the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba (CPM) adopted the CPTE as the approved entry-to-practice examination in Manitoba as of January 1, 2026.

Relevant Legislation

The requirements for applicants to be registered on the Examination Candidate and Active Register are set out in Regulations. The current Regulations state that the examination is defined as an examination approved by the council. The requirements for registration state in part that, “the applicant must have (i) on or after January 1, 2002, successfully completed a physiotherapy education program approved by the council, and passed the examination”. The Regulations require amendments with the change to the single exam pathway which will impact internationally educated physiotherapists’ and new graduates’ ability to register with the College. The College has engaged the Legislative Unit with the Manitoba government to address these changes and amendments are expected by Fall 2026/Winter 2027.

What’s Changed

In January 2026, CAPR’s single licensure examination (the CPTE) replaced the previous two-exam model.
This single licensure examination supports a return to a national, harmonized registration approach for the physiotherapy profession.
CAPR embarked on a two-year project focused on improving and modernizing its entry-to-practice competency assessment model to assess Canadian and internationally educated physiotherapists for licensure in Canada.
The project involved developing the single licensure examination to replace the previous two-exam model. The single licensure examination will:

  • Be offered at regular intervals with dates for 2026 and 2027 posted on the CAPR website
  • Be completed virtually over one day
  • Include a written section and an oral, scenario-based section with a single pass mark
  • Focus on critical competencies that are required to perform safely, effectively, and independently at entry to practice

Applicants must complete the single licensure examination to be eligible for registration with CPM.

Applicants can choose to register as an Examination Candidate while they wait to take the CPTE or while they are awaiting their results. Applicants can also choose to apply directly for the Active register after successfully passing the CPTE.

** Applicants must ensure they meet all criteria to apply for the Examination Candidate and/or the Active register outlined on the website – the examination is only one of these requirements.

Current Pathways for Examination Candidates

  • Applicants who registered as an Examination Candidate on or before December 31 2025, and chose the two-exam pathway, are currently accruing practice hours under supervision to complete the Practice Based Competency Assessment (PBCA).
  • Applicants who registered or are planning to register on or after January 1, 2026 will be required to take the Council approved entry to practice examination, the CPTE.

Important: Currently, registration on the Examination Candidate register cannot exceed two years or three failed clinical exam attempts, whichever comes first. The change in exam models does not change this legislated requirement. This requirement will change with the Regulation amendments expected by the end of this year.

Resources

  • Please monitor the CPM websites for further details and updates.
  • Visit CAPR website for information about the single licensure exam, cost, eligibility.
  • Visit the College website for information about the Supervised Practice as an Examination Candidate
  • Contact Us

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