A. Each physiotherapist’s expertise and the needs of the Team being served will vary. Consideration such as the physiotherapist’s specific training – holding of SPC Certificate or Diploma credentials for example – should be taken into consideration. Other areas of expertise as well as breadth of experience all should be taken into consideration when trying to answer this question.
Sport Physiotherapy Canada has established quidelines to help the team manager, Coach, Event Organizer or the Physiotherapist themselves answer this question. Please CLICK HERE to access our Fee Guidelines.

A. To begin, you will need to be a member in good standing with CPA and SPC. You will also need to have a current First Responder or Sport First Responder certification from a recognized National organization such as the Canadian Red Cross or St. John Ambulance. Sport Physiotherapy Canada offers First Responder courses – CLICK HERE – to find a course near you.

You will then need to complete the Credential Program Application Form and submit the form along with the required supporting documentation and application fee to SPC. CLICK HERE to access the form and more information on the Credential Program.

Once your application form has been successfully processed you will receive the Credential Program Syllabus. This document outlines all other steps in the Credential process in detail.

A. No, the process is designed to have you enter the Credential program at least a year before you intend to participate in your first written examination. We want to be sure you have sufficient time to prepare, work with your Mentor and gain the knowledge and skills to be successful.

From the time your Credential Program Application is approved you will have up to 3 years to apply and participate in the Certificate level examinations. If you do not move to this level in that time you simply need to re-apply to the program. This helps us ensure you are still interested and that all of your program requirements are still valid.

A. Yes, you are welcome to have as many Mentors as you believe you need to be successful in the program. However, be sure that the Mentor you choose to complete the Mentor reports and examination recommendation is from the SPC approved Mentor list. CLICK HERE to access the SPC Mentor List.

A. No you do not have to do the practical exam that follows right after your written examination, although most candidates do. Our policy states: “After completing the written component, the candidate must attempt the oral/practical component at one of the next three practical/oral examinations. Failure to do so will result in the candidate having to repeat all the requirements for that level.”

A. Yes there is a deadline for applying to write either the Certificate or Diploma exam – the deadline for applications is September 15th of each year. All of the required documentation, along with the application fee, must be received or post-marked by this date to be accepted. There are no exceptions for late submissions.

The Exam Application Form (CLICK HERE to access the form) must be sent by the deadline along with the following:

• A typed summary of the log book (not the whole log book) - reviewed and signed by your mentor
• Your mentor’s letter of recommendation
• Proof that you are a Physiotherapy graduate and a current member of both CPA and SPC
• Copy of your current/valid First Responder or Sport First Responder Certification – from a recognized National organization
• The Application Fee

A. Yes, every 3 years you will need to go through our Maintenance of Credentials process to ensure your credential remains active. If you do not maintain your credential, we will move you to our inactive list and you will not be eligible to apply for Major or Developmental Games.

Maintaining your credential is not hard. CLICK HERE to access the Maintenance of Credentials form. You will need to submit this completed form along with your maintenance fee and the documentation needed showing that you have completed at least 60 hours of Continuing Education and 200 hours of practical experience since you received your Certificate or since you last completed your Maintenance of Credentials. Remember – 75 of the 200 hours must be on field (on site) experience.

To maintain your credentials you must remain a member of Sport Physiotherapy Canada at all times. You can submit your documentation to SPC at any time in the year your Maintenance is due up to September 15th . After the September 15th deadline your credentials will be moved to the Inactive life and there is an additional fee for late submission/re-activation.

The process is the same for both Certificate and Diploma Credentials.

A. No, your Credential will simply be moved to Inactive status but it will remain in your records. After the Maintenance of Credentials Deadline passes (September 15th of each year) we review the status of all members who were due to Maintain in that year. If a member has not submitted documentation (and been successfully reviewed) then we simply will move their status from Active to Inactive.

At ANY time, when you have acquired what you need to submit your Maintenance of Credentials materials you can send the documents into our National office. The only difference is that you will pay a slightly higher fee - the regular Maintenance fee plus a “late” fee. As soon as we have your documents, and they are successfully reviewed, we will change your status back to Active. It is important to note that while you are on the Inactive list you will not be eligible to apply to major or developmental games.