Big Changes Coming: A New Canadian Physiotherapy Exam in 2026

If you’re planning to become a licensed physiotherapist in Canada, there’s a major update you’ll want to know about. Starting January 2026, the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) will introduce a single national licensure exam called the Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE).

This new exam will replace the current two-exam system and mark a return to one harmonized process for entering the profession across Canada. Let’s break down what’s changing and what it means for you.

The Current Exam Process

Right now, to become fully registered as a physiotherapist in British Columbia, you need to pass two exams:

• Written exam: The Physiotherapy Competency Examination, administered by CAPR.
• Clinical exam: BC’s Alternate Clinical Evaluation (ACEBC), run by the University of British Columbia.

Both are mandatory before you can apply for full registration.

What’s Changing in 2026

From January 2026, you’ll only need to complete one exam: the CPTE.

Here’s what makes the CPTE different:

• Offered 8 times in 2026.
• Done virtually in a single day.
• Includes a written section plus an oral, scenario-based section (with one pass mark).
• Focused on the critical skills you need to work safely and independently as a new physio.

In other words, it’s streamlined, modernized, and more reflective of real-world practice.

Transition Phase: What You Need to Know

Of course, shifting from two exams to one won’t happen overnight. There’s a transition period, and applicants will need to pay close attention to dates and seat availability.

• The current written exam (Physiotherapy Competency Examination) will be offered until November 26, 2025.
• The ACEBC clinical exam will be available until February 2026, but seats are limited and first-come, first-served.
• The new CPTE launches in January 2026, with registration opening in July 2025.

Your Options During the Transition

Depending on where you are in the process, you’ll have two possible pathways:

1. Two-Exam Pathway (until early 2026)

• Complete the CAPR written exam (last chance: November 2025).
• Then complete either the ACEBC or the new CPTE.
• Apply for full registration.

Keep in mind: ACEBC seats are limited, and the final sitting is in February 2026.

2. Single-Exam Pathway (from January 2026 onward)

• Skip the two-exam model.
• Wait for and complete the new CPTE.
• Apply for full registration.

Where to Find More Info

This is a big shift, and the details will keep evolving as 2026 gets closer. Make sure you stay updated:

• Check the CAPR website for the latest news, eligibility FAQs, fees, and exam schedules.
• Visit the CHCPBC site for provincial registration requirements.
• For ACEBC details, head to the UBC Department of Physical Therapy site.

If you’re aiming to become a physiotherapist in Canada, 2026 will look very different from today. The new CPTE exam is designed to make the process clearer, more consistent, and aligned with what new grads actually need in practice.