Quality Practice
The mandate of the College as a health professions regulator is the protection of the public. One of the ways we work to ensure public safety is to offer resources and information to physical therapist registrants to support you in your delivery of quality physical therapy care and in your growth as a physical therapist.
We know that achieving and maintaining professional competence depends on many interrelated personal and professional factors. Our goal is to provide you with tools to reflect on and recognize the factors that may be impacting how engaged you are in your profession (which we know is liked to competence), and to offer resources to mitigate any risks to engagement that you identify.
We can help you enhance the quality of your practice so that you are the safe, competent, ethical physical therapist that the public expects.
The puzzle pieces in this continuous loop of quality practice illustrate the actions you take and the tools, resources and support the College offers so that together, throughout your career, we ensure that you meet your regulatory obligations and will provide quality care to your clients.
Read more about
- Learning Opportunities
- Guidance
- Personal and Professional Risks
- Data Informed Resources
Profession Practice Standards
Defining Performance Expectations for The Profession
The Standards of Practice describe the minimum performance expectations of physical therapists in the province.
Standards of Practice are one component of a continuum of documents which direct the practice of physical therapist professionals to provide quality care to the public.
The Standards of Practice apply to all physical therapists in BC registered to practise physical therapy, in all contexts or settings. Compliance with the Standards of Practice is a mandatory component of being regulated members of the profession. These updated Standards came into effect on March 4, 2024. Refer to our post outlining a summary of key changes
Summary of Key changes in Updated Standards of Practice for Physical Therapists
If you require a copy of the Standards that were in effect prior to March 4, 2024, please send your request to standards@chcpbc.org.
- Standards of Practice (complete)
- Glossary
- Assessment, Diagnosis, Treatment
- Boundary Violations
- Communication
- Concurrent Care
- Conflict of Interest
- Continuing Competence
- Documentation
- Dual Practice
- Duty of Care
- Evidence-Informed Practice
- Funding, Fees and Billing
- Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility and Anti-Racism
- Infection Control
- Informed Consent
- Marketing and Advertising
- Privacy and Record Retention
- Risk Management and Safety
- Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct
- Supervision
- Titles, Credentials and Specialty Designations
- Virtual Care
Code of Ethical Conduct
Ethical Principles Governing Physical Therapy in British Columbia
The College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia’s code of ethical conduct sets out the ethical principles governing the conduct of members of the physical therapy profession in British Columbia. It is a moral anchor that assures clients, the public, and other health-care providers that members of the profession strive for the highest standards of ethical conduct.
The Code of Ethical Conduct applies to all physical therapists in all contexts of practice and through all stages of their careers. It must always be used in conjunction with relevant federal and provincial legislation and with regulations, policies, procedures, and standards that regulate professional practice.
Profession Regulation
Framework for Health Professions Regulation
Provincial legislation includes the Health Professions Act (HPA) and the associated Health Professions Act General Regulation, and the Physical Therapists Regulation.
The HPA is umbrella legislation that provides a common framework for all health professions regulated under the statute. The HPA outlines how Colleges are designated, describes the duties of the College, and sets out responsibilities for statutory functions such as inquiry, registration or quality assurance.
The Physical Therapists Regulation outlines reserved titles and describes the overall scope of the profession.
- BC Health Professions Act
- BC Health Professions Act – Health Professions General Regulation
- BC Health Professions Act – Physical Therapists Regulation
Other Legislation Relevant to Physical Therapy Practice
Aged Services
Consent
Criminal Records Check
Minors
Privacy
Record Retention
Online courses
e-Learning Modules
Welcome to the CPTBC Registrant e-Learning Centre. The modules below are available at any time for you to access. Before beginning any module, be sure to review:
Course length
- Whether the course allows you to leave and return at the point you left off
- If/how the course will provide you with proof of completion
- If you have any questions about access or the content, please contact info@chcpbc.org
The Write Stuff: Why Documentation is Key to Good Care
- Course length: 1 hour
- Save progress and continue later? Not available
- Proof of completion available? Yes, by downloading Start/Stop/Continue notes at the end of the course
Course Objectives
- Explain the reasons for and importance of contemporaneous documentation.
- Summarize the regulatory requirements in the Documentation Practice Standard.
- Identify documentation that meets regulatory requirements for accuracy, comprehensiveness and clarity.
- Explain the importance of documenting clinical reasoning.
- Describe expectations for and importance of documenting initial and ongoing consent to treatment.
- Describe documentation requirements when assigning physical therapy services to physical therapist support workers (PTSWs).
Advice to Consider
For Advice to Consider when you find yourself in various clinical, professional or ethical situations, see the information below.
Business Practices
- Fees (PDF)
- Fraudulent Billing (PDF)
- Are All the Services PTs Provide Considered Physical Therapy? (PDF)
- Marketing and Promotions (PDF)
- Private Practice
- Accepting Gifts (PDF)
Clinical Practice
- Case Study: Treatment Resulting in Burns (PDF)
- Clients at Risk (PDF)
- Concurrent Treatment (PDF)
- Physical Therapist Safety in Clinical Practice (PDF)
- Position Statement: Role of the Physiotherapist in Assessment and Management of Concussions (CAPR) (PDF)
- CPTBC and PABC – Resources for Telerehabilitation Success (PDF)
- Therapeutic Touch – The Client Perspective (PDF)
- When Is Pilates Considered (or not) to be Part of Physical Therapy Services? (PDF)
- Documentation (PDF)
- Using a Digital Scribe (PDF)
Legal/Ethical
- Administration and Distribution of Naloxone by Physical Therapists (PDF)
- Animal Rehabilitation (PDF)
- Duty to Report a Regulated Health Professional (PDF)
- Ethical Guidelines for Research (PDF)
- Is it Physical Therapy? Tool to Consider Emerging Practices (PDF)
- Reporting Abuse (PDF)
Privacy Confidentiality
- ICBC and Disclosure of Patient Information (PDF)
- Privacy: What Physical Therapists Need to Know (PDF)
Working with Physical Therapist Support Workers
- Assigning Tasks to a PTSW (PDF)
- Working with Physical Therapy Support Workers: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Webinars
CPTBC webinars are accessible to anyone, with no cost to view. To access the webinars, register through the links listed for any session below and look for a confirmation email with your unique webinar link.
June 13, 2024
Generative AI for PTs and PTAs
On June 13, 2024, the College of Physical Therapists of BC (CPTBC), Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA), and Physiotherapy Association of BC (PABC) co-hosted a webinar: Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) for PTs and PTAs. During the webinar, Neil Nijjar (PABC), Susan Paul (CPTBC), Kathy Davidson (CPTBC), Lisa Carroll (CPA), and Alison Hoens (PABC) discussed how Generative AI could support PT practice, the risks and what questions PTs need to ask themselves while using it, and regulatory obligations within the context of AI. A video of the webinar has been posted. Watch the webinar on Generative AI for PTs and PTAs.
March 21, 2024
Everything You Need to Know About the Updated Standards of Practice
On March 21, 2024 Susan Paul and Sue Murphy shared what is new and/or different in the updated Standards of Practice for Physical Therapists in British Columbia. These Standards took effect on March 4, 2024.
Throughout 2022 and 2023, Canadian physical therapy regulators engaged in a review, revision, and validation of the national Core Standards of Practice for Canadian Physiotherapists using a risk-based and data-driven approach. The updated Standards of Practice for Physical Therapists in British Columbia were posted on our website for your review until the implementation date of March 4, 2024 when they replaced the current Standards.
About Susan Paul
Susan is a physical therapist and the Manager of Professional Practice at CPTBC. In addition to working at the CPTBC, Susan continues to practice clinically and has a clinical faculty appointment at UBC where she is involved in teaching professional practice issues to first year MPT students.
About Sue Murphy
Sue is a physical therapist and a Professional Practice Advisor at CPTBC. Sue worked clinically for many years and is Associate Professor of Teaching Emeritus at UBC, where she had a special interest in teaching professionalism.
November 28, 2023 & December 1, 2023
What’s Next for the QP Program? Goodbye RCA, Hello Professional Development
Are you wondering what’s replacing the RCA, the continuing competence exam that last took place in 2018? We’ll talk about where we’ve come from, where we’re at right now, and what’s in store as it relates to professional development and competence requirements.
About Andrew Koppejan
Andrew, PT Quality Practice Consultant, is a practicing physical therapist working in private practice. He has been involved a number of innovative knowledge translation and professional development initiatives. He writes and podcasts about professional growth and development for physical therapists. He has been working on the development of the quality improvement program for the CPTBC.
About Chris Smerdon
Chris, Manager, Registration & Quality Assurance, has been with the College since 2014 and has strong memories of the RCA. She is a registered physical therapist and currently is the Manager, Registration and Quality Assurance.
About Len Pierre, CEO, Len Pierre Consulting
Len Pierre is Coast Salish from Katzie (kate-zee) First Nation. Len is a professor, consultant, TEDx Speaker, social activist, change agent, & traditional knowledge keeper. He has a Master’s degree in education from Simon Fraser University focusing on Indigenous curriculum and instructional design. His experience includes Indigenous education and program leadership from various organizations across colonial Canada.
He specializes in the development of educational programs and services with decolonization and reconciliation as its core values. He comes to us with an open heart and open mind and hopes to be received in the same way.
About Kim Trottier, Founder, Culturally Committed
Kim Trottier is a Settler (Germany/England/Ireland) who graduated from the National School of Dental Therapy in 2001. For the past ten years she has dedicated her practice to offering culturally safe oral health services to remote First Nations communities on Vancouver Island. The relationships and awareness that blossomed through this work inspired her to create Culturally Committed in 2021, which offers a space for non-Indigenous people to learn about cultural safety, directly from Indigenous mentors. She is careful to point out that she is not an expert in this work but navigating her own learning and unlearning journey. Kim is grateful to live on the Ancestral lands of the Snuneymuxw People.
December 1, 2023
PART 2
During our inaugural Fireside Chat, we shared an informal conversation that explored our individual journeys towards culturally safe care from a clinical, cultural, and personal perspective. In light of questions and dialogue that arose from that session, during part two we will dig deeper into areas of curiosity. Topics we will discuss include:
- Why it’s important to take the time to do a fulsome introduction
- Real life examples of culturally safe care and unsafe practices
- Unpacking hidden signs of trauma and racism in the clinical setting (i.e., certain behaviours, no shows, etc.) and how to address them
- Share professional tools for anti-racism, cultural safety, and Indigenous allyship
We highly recommend watching the recording of the first Fireside Chat yɑy̓əstəl̓ kʷθə si:yey̓ə before attending.
September 8, 2023
Part 1
Join us for an informal conversation as we share our individual journeys towards culturally safer care from a clinical, cultural, and personal perspective. Topics we will discuss include:
- Real-life examples of culturally safe care and unsafe practices
- Unpacking hidden signs of trauma and racism in the clinical setting (i.e., certain behaviours, no-shows, etc.) and how to address them
- Sharing professional tools for anti-racism, cultural safety, and Indigenous allyship
Expanding your Services in Private Practice: a two-part series
About Susan Paul
Susan is a physical therapist and the Manager of Professional Practice at CPTBC. In addition to working at the CPTBC, Susan continues to practice clinically and has a clinical faculty appointment at UBC where she is involved in teaching professional practice issue to first year MPT students.
About Tracy Dignum
Tracy is a physical therapist and a Practice Advisor for the College. She responds to practice questions from physical therapists and assists in the creation of resource documents for physical therapist practice in British Columbia. Tracy is also involved in the training of support personnel in her role with the Rehabilitation Assistant diploma program at Capilano University.
April 20, 2023
Part 2: Regulatory Considerations for Billing and Marketing
This second webinar in a two-part series expands upon how to bill and market both in your existing physical therapy practice and for any expanded private practice physical therapy services we discussed in Part 1. Though not essential, we recommend watching the Part 1 recording from February 16th prior to joining us on April 20th.
Susan and Tracy will share real world examples of scenarios drawn from their experience responding to registrants who have questions about this topic. Participants will learn how to ensure they are meeting their regulatory obligations when they develop or distribute marketing materials, and when they bill for services and issue receipts to their clients.
February 16, 2023
Part 1: Is it Still Physical Therapy?
Innovative physical therapists often make plans to expand or alter their service delivery model or approach in order to better serve their clients. They reach out to the Practice Advisors at CPTBC to make sure their plans are in line with the College requirements.
This webinar will introduce participants to some things to consider as they make these plans. For example:
- Does the model of service delivery that you are thinking of meet the regulatory obligations related to assessment, treatment, and documentation requirements?
- What does the client need? To meet regulatory requirements, the physical therapy services provided have to be client-specific and based on assessment findings.
- If the client is best served by something that isn’t considered physical therapy services. (e.g., a fitness class), do they understand that they are not receiving physical therapy services?
Join us to explore various service delivery models and their benefits and challenges.
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To access webinar resources prior to 2023, please see the webinar list (PDF), which includes access links.
Publications
- Physical Therapists Providing Pelvic Health Services Guide (PDF)
- Health Profession Corporation Guide (PDF)
- Virtual Care Guide (PDF)
- Infection Prevention and Control (PDF)
- Privacy Toolkit: A Guide for Physical Therapists (PDF)
- Supervision Guide (PDF)
- Where’s the Line? Professional Boundaries in a Therapeutic Relationship (PDF)
- Consent to Treatment. Obtaining Informed Consent from Clients (PDF)
- Making a Connection: Communication in the Therapeutic Relationship (PDF)
- Pause Before You Post. A Social Media Guide for Physical Therapists (PDF)
External Resources
Related Organizations
Provincial Regulatory Organizations
- BC Health Regulators
- College of Physiotherapists of Alberta
- Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists
- College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba
- College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
- Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec
- College of Physiotherapists of New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists
- Prince Edward Island College of Physiotherapists
- Newfoundland & Labrador College of Physiotherapists
- Government of Yukon, Consumer Services
National/International Regulatory Organizations
- Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR)
- Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
National Accrediting Organizations
- Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC)
- Occupational Therapist Assistant & Physiotherapist Assistant Education Accreditation Program (OTA & PTA EAP)
Professional Associations
Canadian Physical Therapy Education Pro grams
Canadian Universities Offering Entry-to-Practice Physical Therapist Education Programs
- University of British Columbia
- University of Alberta
- University of Saskatchewan
- University of Manitoba
- Western University
- McMaster University
- University of Toronto
- University of Ottawa
- Queen’s University
- McGill University
- Université de Montréal
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université Laval
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
- Dalhousie University
Programs for Internationally Educated Physical Therapists or Physical Therapists Returning to Practice
- Physio Refresh, University of British Columbia
- Physical Therapy Bridging Certificate, University of Alberta
- Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy Bridging Program (OIEPB), University of Toronto
Other