Newfoundland and Labrador College of Physiotherapists

Changes to NLCP Registration Requirements in 2026

In January 2026, the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) will launch a new PCE  examination, following an extensive 2-year development. The Council of the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Physiotherapists voted recently to support in principle the CAPR’s move to a single examination (written and verbal). As a result, the alternative licensing pathway that featured a 6 month Mentorship will be eliminated.

Current Process

New registrants can apply for a Conditional Registration license once they complete and pass the PCE written component, administered by CAPR.

As part of the Conditional Registration: a minimum 6 month Mentorship is required with an approved Mentor. Once the Mentorship is in place the Conditional Registrant (CR) can practice, provided the Mentor is on site.

On completion of the Mentorship, which includes review of evaluations and Jurisprudence examination, the CR can apply for Active status.

Future Situation

In October or November 2025 new graduates and/or others applying for new registration, can still complete the current PCE written component and complete a Mentorship for minimum of 6 months. Those individuals could decide to apply to write CAPR’s new single licensure examination starting in 2026. A successful result would allow for the CR to apply for Active registration status and early completion of the Mentorship.

In January 2026 the new single exam CPTE will be offered and administered by CAPR. This will allow registrants the opportunity to apply for Active license as soon as they receive a formal indication of their success. The introduction of this exam will indicate the end of using the current PCE written component combined with the Mentorship program.

The single licensure examination will:

• Be offered 8 times in 2026
• 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

Transition Period

CAPR plans to discontinue the current written component of the Physiotherapy Competency Examination and has announced written examination dates through to the end of November 2025. CAPR’s new single licensure examination begins in January 2026. The January 2026 exam has limited seats, but subsequent exams will have unlimited availability.

All new applicants (who do not hold a current license in a Canadian jurisdiction) applying after February 28, 2026

• Must successfully complete the new CAPR exam and meet all other registration/licensing requirements for full licensure.
• Conditional Registration will no longer be provided unless there are extenuating circumstances.
• Cannot have more than three failed attempts at a competency process or exam (any other Canadian jurisdiction, or CAPR’s new exam) – all evaluation process/exam attempts are counted.

Notes for transition:

The NLCP Council recognizes some applicants may choose to take the current written exam, to minimize delay in entering the workforce in December 2025.  If that is the case a 6-month Mentorship extending into 2026 is required.

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