Becoming a physiotherapist and practicing competently requires extensive education. The College supports physiotherapist competence by developing, administering and evaluating a continuing competence program. The program provides tools to support members' ongoing learning and helps them maintain and improve their knowledge, skills and abilities.

Continuing competence program

The College’s program is a work in progress. In 2002, a voluntary professional portfolio was developed and members were encouraged to assess their competence and track their learning. The portfolio was evaluated in 2007 and revisions made to make it more user friendly and relevant to practice. In 2008 the program was expanded and includes the following components:

1. Competence development – professional portfolio including self-assessment,

    learning plan development and tracking of learning activities and evaluation.

2. Competence assessment – Knowledge assessment through jurisprudence

     education module (see below) and evidence informed practice.

3. Practice visits – on-site assessment (to be developed at a later date).

Once the profession is proclaimed under HPA, the competency program will be mandatory for all regulated members beginning with the jurisprudence education module.

Jurisprudence Education Module

The module reviews the laws, regulations and standards applicable to physiotherapy practice in Alberta. The College developed this online tool to help members understand and apply the rules that impact them and their practice. The module will be piloted by 200 College members May 1 - October 2010. Once under HPA, all regulated members will be required to complete the module once every five years. While module access is available for pilot participants only, all members are encouraged to review the sample questions, user guide, frequently asked questions to get an idea of what the Jurisprudence Education Module is all about

Jurisprudence pilot participants should direct module related questions to the College's registration department. Questions about the College’s current continuing competence program or requirements under HPA should be directed to the College's practice advisor. Click here for contact details.