Professional Organizations
College of Physiotherapists of Alberta
The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta (CPTA) exists to safeguard the public by regulating the practice of physiotherapy in Alberta. The mandate of the College is protection of the public interest. The College does this by:
- Setting and enforcing practice and professional standards.
- Licensing only qualified and competent physical therapists.
- Administering a continuing competence program.
- Investigating public and patient concerns.
- Promoting and advocating excellence in physiotherapy and patient care.
- Supporting member understanding of and adherence to their regulatory responsibilities.
An individual must be registered and have a valid license/practice permit with the College in order to practice physical therapy in Alberta. There are approximately 2600 physical therapists working in Alberta in a variety of settings including hospitals, private clinics, long term care, community health centres, home care, universities, schools and rehabilitation centres.
The Association provides leadership and direction to the profession by offering professional development opportunities, promoting the value of the profession, meeting with members and acting as a voice for physiotherapy in Alberta.
College of Physiotherapists of Alberta
Alberta Association of Physiotherapy
The Alberta Association of Physiotherapy (AAP) was created to offer services separate from the single-mandate College. The association supports and advocates for physiotherapists and students in Alberta.
Alberta Association of Physiotherapy
Canadian Physiotherapy Association
The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) is the national voluntary professional association of physiotherapist (physical therapists) and physiotherapy assistants in Canada. CPA represents more than 11,500 members from across Canada. Member services include education and professional development, post-graduate certification and clinical specialty programs, professional advocacy and resources for physiotherapy professionals and the public.
The mission of the CPA is to advance the profession of physiotherapy in order to improve the health of Canadians.
Canadian Physiotherapy Association
Physiotherapy Education Accrediation Canada
Physiotherapy Education Accrediation Canada (PEAC) is the independent body which provides accreditation to physical therapy/physiotherapy and therapy assistant programs in Canada. PEAC develops and maintains a continuum of guidelines and standards to ensure the competency of entry-level practitioners. PEAC reviews and evaluates Canadian programs on a regular basis. Graduates from a PEAC accredited physical therapy program are eligible to take the Physiotherapy Competency Examination, required for licensure.
The mission of PEAC is to assure the quality of physiotherapy education in Canada through accreditation.
Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada
Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators
The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (The CAPR) is the national federation of provincial/territorial physiotherapy regulators (frequently called Colleges) committed to the development and improvement of regulatory standards of practice for physiotherapists.
The Alliance, on behalf of most physiotherapy regulators:
- Administers the Physiotherapy Competency Examination to determine a candidate's readiness for safe, effective and independent physiotherapy practice.
- Establishes whether the education and qualifications of internationally educated applicants are substantially equivalent to those of Canadian educated physiotherapists.
The mission of The Alliance is to provide leadership and support to assist its members in fulfilling their public interest mandate through its core activities.