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Students and alumni explain the Equivalency Program
The Equivalency in Physical Therapy Program is offered by the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy (SPOT), and is designed for internationally educated physiotherapists (IEPTs) who are seeking to obtain a physiotherapy license in Quebec. 听This is an individualized study program tailored to address each individual needs according to the recommendations issued by the Board of Directors of L鈥橭rdre professionnel de la physioth茅rapie du Qu茅bec. The Program provides the IEPT students with complementary knowledge and academic and clinical skills specific to the practice of Physical Therapy in Quebec and Canada, thus facilitating their integration into the Quebec/Canadian healthcare workplace.
At 平特五不中, the IEPTs are integrated into the main stream PT program, where they join a cohort of third year undergraduate (U3) and qualifying year (QY) students who are completing their physiotherapy degree. Being immediately immersed in the regular physiotherapy program which is a very engaging, motivating and culturally diverse learning environment enables the building of lifelong friendships and a strong professional network.听The program can be completed either fulltime or part-time.
The Ordre professionnel de la physioth茅rapie du Qu茅bec (OPPQ) is the organization responsible for the licensing of Physical Therapists in Qu茅bec. Information on how to register as a Physical Therapist is听available on . There are 3 pathways (path A, B, or C) an individual can take to obtain a physiotherapy (PT) license. For a quick overview of your chosen PT licensing pathway, see Figure 1.Figure 1: Path A, B and C
NOTE: In order to be eligible to register as a Physical Therapist you must successfully complete a Physiotherapy Equivalency Program. 听The French language exam, required and delivered by the , must also be successfully-completed in order to obtain your OPPQ permanent license. (See section x for more detail)
NOTE: OPPQ equivalency applications can be filed from outside Canada and present the advantage of allowing you to continue working in your profession while awaiting OPPQ鈥檚 decision. In addition, any information required can be added to your file as it becomes available.
Step 1: Read the Guide for applicants trained outside Quebec who wish to practice Physiotherapy in Quebec, which provides information on the process to obtain a license to practice physiotherapy in Quebec (see DIPL脭M脡 HORS CANADA page 5.
Step 2:听 Prepare your documents and apply to OPPQ (see page 10, Annexe 2 in link below)
Step 3: 听Wait to receive a letter of recommendation from the OPPQ Board of Directors presenting the decision.
Step 4: 听Student should contact and meet with 平特五不中 Equivalency Program Coordinator and/or associate coordinator for orientation to the equivalency process and program, please contact us.
Step 5: 听Student meets with the 平特五不中 Equivalency Program Coordinator to develop the individualized study plan and start SPOT application process.
Step 6: Apply to 平特五不中 through Enrolment Services, Admission officer (Mrs. Joan Nachaty at: joan.nachaty [at] mcgill.ca.
This step requires the following documents:
Step 7: Take a placement test, if applicable. (This is to assess your level for certain PT domains)
Step 8: Equivalency Program orientation.
Step 9: Student starts equivalency program courses and/or clinical practica.
Step 10: Student receives 平特五不中 certificate and confirmation letter for completion of equivalency program from the 平特五不中 Equivalency Program Coordinator.
Step 11: Equivalency Program Coordinator sends confirmation of program completion to OPPQ. Student may proceed to apply at OPPQ for Quebec PT Licence.
NOTE 1: This path does not lead to a degree per se, but students that have successfully completed all the OPPQ requirements obtain a SPOT Certificate, which serves as proof of completion of the 平特五不中 Physiotherapy Equivalency Program.
NOTE 2: Student must provide proof of English proficiency prior joining the 平特五不中 Equivalency Program.听 It is recommended that you complete the English proficiency examination before coming to Canada in order to avoid any program registration delays. For more detailed information see: English proficiency requirements
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NOTE: If you are interested in obtaining a Professional Master of Science in physiotherapy you can apply to the Masters of Science Applied PT or OT programs. This program is 7 semesters long and leads to a M.Sc. A. PT degree.
Step 1: Read the M.Sc. A. PT program description听 by clicking on the link below (see also the Curriculum and Important Dates Tabs under the Physical Therapy Program- on the left side menu) /spot/programs/pt/professional-masters
Step 2: Read the admission requirements and procedures for the Qualifying Year for Entry into the MScA-PT here:听/spot/files/spot/2016_qy_for_msca_pt_admissions_document_1.pdf
Step 3: Prepare your documents and apply according to the procedure listed here: /spot/files/spot/2016_qy_for_msca_pt_admissions_document_1.pdf
For questions regarding this program, please contact Professional Masters Student Affairs Coordinator. Mr. Thomas听Mills: 听profmasters.spot [at] mcgill.ca
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L'Ordre Professionnel de la Physioth茅rapie du Qu茅bec conducts its credentialing assessments for applicants seeking to work in Qu茅bec. However, if interested in obtaining your Canadian PT Licence one may choose to apply to the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators.听
Step 1: Read the Assessment of Educational Credentials and Qualifications (Credentialing) Overview, which will provide information on the process to obtain a license to practice physiotherapy in Canada.
Step 2: 听Read 鈥淎pplying for an assessment鈥 and all other pertinent information on the left side menu:
Step 3: Apply for an assessment:
Step 4: Courses and clinical practica recommended by the ALLIANCE may be completed at the School of Physical & Occupational Therapy (SPOT), 平特五不中.
Step 5: Student should contact and meet with Ana Maria Moga,听 the Equivalency Program Coordinator for orientation to the equivalency process and program.
To be eligible to apply for the 平特五不中 Equivalency Program, the following are required:
Applicants must be available to:
The application deadlines are at least 6 weeks before the first week of classes for both the fall and winter sessions. The physiotherapy courses are offered during the regular academic schedule with courses starting in either September or January.
Yes, there are health requirements to consider:
No. You are not eligible to apply to the 平特五不中 Equivalency Program. 听Individuals who hold an assistant physiotherapy degree from other countries can request a professional assessment of their file as a foreign trained 鈥減hysical rehabilitation therapist 鈥 college-level degree鈥. For more information, please see link:
The clinical training can occur in a variety of settings including hospitals, private practice, community centers, CLSCs, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities. The clinical practice can cover the entire lifespan, from pediatrics to geriatrics and palliative care, and cover any area of practice such as: orthopedics, cardiac, pulmonary, neurology, pelvic floor, and cancer rehabilitation as well as amputees etc., in both inpatient and/or outpatient population.
Once admitted to the equivalency program at 平特五不中, internationally trained PT students will have the opportunity to complete their clinical practica at one or several clinical sites, which are within the 平特五不中 teaching network, for example:
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YES. The clinical practica are actual courses that the student must register for, just like the academic courses. The clinical practica courses are each 7 credits, are graded, and last between 7 to 8 weeks.
NOTE: Please refer to the following website for direct course links: /spot/programs/pt/curriculum
There is not a fixed number of courses or clinical placements a student must take. Together with the 平特五不中 Equivalency Program Coordinator you will develop your individualized study plan according to your OPPQ decision letter requirements. However, most 平特五不中 Equivalency Program students complete on average 4-5 courses from the U3/QY curriculum, including a mandatory course on the Quebec health care system and legislation (i.e.: foundation of professional practice POTH 563, or an equivalent course HCS_LAP approved by the OPPQ).
In general, most 平特五不中 Equivalency Program students complete on average two full time 7-week clinical placements. More clinical placements may be required depending on the individual past experience and their adaptation to the Quebec healthcare system.
Your individualized study plan is designed according to the OPPQ decision letter requirements to enable you to acquire experience in the areas of physiotherapy that you need training. These areas may include musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and/or neurology.
Yes, your clinical supervisor will make recommendations to the 平特五不中 Clinical Coordinator, who will assign you a final grade.
No. In fact, as each placement is a university 7- credit course, regular course fees will be charged for each course. See tuition fees for detail. /student-accounts/tuition-charges/fallwinter-term-tuition-and-fees/undergraduate-fees
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The period of time needed varies according to the number of courses and /or clinical practica required for you to complete as well as your time availabilities.听 In general, 5 seats per course are reserved for Internationally-Educated PT students completing their equivalency.
The time required听to read, analyze, study, and write assignments will depend on the student's commitment, time management and overall motivation. The amount of time spent on a course will therefore fluctuate from student to student. Nevertheless, for a course of 7 credits - an average of 15 - 20 hour work per week is expected, time enough to become familiar/comfortable with the materials, complete assignments and read the required texts.
Yes, you can study your required courses on a part time basis. However, the clinical placements requires full time attendance.
The course load is generally heavy. It all depends on your time management and organization skills. However, please note that even students who are taking one 7 credit course find it sometimes difficult to work more than 10 hrs per week.
All Equivalency program courses last for a session (15 weeks), for example in the Fall session the courses start the first week of September and end the third week of December, whereas in the Winter session, the term starts the first week of January and ends in mid-April. The clinical courses, which are seven weeks long each, may be in the summer semester, the winter, or the fall semester.
NOTE: Please refer to the following website for direct course links: /spot/programs/pt/curriculum
a. Applicants whose mother tongue is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in English from a recognized foreign institution must submit proof of competency in oral and written English (e.g., TOEFL) to ensure you meet the 平特五不中 English Language Proficiency requirements. For more details click here.
b. This requirement is specified in order to ensure that the academic progress of students is not hindered by language difficulties while studying at 平特五不中.
c. Appropriate exam results must be submitted directly from the testing office. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their scores are sent to the admission officer at enrolment services to:
Joan Nachaty
Enrolment Services
3415 McTavish St., McLennan Library Building
Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C8
Any offer to the 平特五不中 Equivalency Program would be made conditional on obtaining the English Proficiency proof at least one month before the classes begin.
a. Students are responsible for paying 平特五不中 application fee and tuition fee.
b. In addition to 平特五不中 tuition fees, plan for approximately $500 for textbooks or resources. The university also has many of the books used in the program in the 平特五不中 听Life Science Library /library/branches/lsl and/ or in Schulich Library of Science and Engineering /library/branches/schulich.
c. For an approximation of the associated tuition and fees that you will need to pay for a full-time semester, please check the link /student-accounts/tuition-charges/fallwinter-term-tuition-and-fees/undergraduate-fees. Students are considered full-time when they take 12 credits or more. Students supporting a child under 6 years old, may be considered full-time with taking only 6 credits.
NOTE 1: As an Equivalency Program student you will pay undergraduate fees. To obtain an estimation of your tuition and fees please select the academic year you are taking classes for (e.g. Fall/Winter); select Degree: Bachelor of Science (Physical Therapy) (non-practicing); then select residency: Quebec (if you are/ or planning to become a Quebec resident) /student-accounts/tuition-charges/fallwinter-term-tuition-and-fees/undergraduate-fees
NOTE 2: Tuition and Total Fees are calculated typical as annual fees based on 30 credits taken during Fall and Winter terms. Your Total Fees will be calculated according to the number of credits you are taking, which is typically less than 30 credits/year, plus all the service fees.
There are various alternatives:
The clinical practicum is a university course, which students need to register for and for which they receive a grade. This clinical practicum requires an onsite licensed physiotherapy supervisor with a minimum of one-year experience. The mentorship is a clinical program not linked to the university. The mentorship requires a licensed physiotherapist with a minimum of 5 years of experience.
No. It is not possible to study the Equivalency Program by distance learning or online.
Please refer to the EQUIVALENCY PROGRAM RULES AND REGULATIONS.
Please note that part-time students are not automatically enrolled in the PGSS health and dental plan but have the option to enroll during the change-of-coverage period. The Change-of-Coverage Period is: Aug. 23 - Sept. 29, 2015.
However, you can enroll yourself by paying the applicable fee. See Health & Dental Plan self enrollment
Fifty percent (50%) of physiotherapists work in the public sector (hospitals, community centers, CLSCs, rehabilitation centers, specialized schools) and 50% work in the private sector (350 Private clinics exist in Quebec). Physiotherapists can also work as researchers, professors at the College level (CEGEP) or University level, consultant for government agencies and local community agencies, as well as the regulatory body.
No. The physical rehabilitation program at the College level (CEGEP) leads to the title of Physical Rehabilitation Technician, whereas a physical therapy degree at a University level leads to the title of Physiotherapist.
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