Changes to Registration Requirements in 2026

Changes to Registration Requirements in 2026

In January 2026, the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) will launch a single licensure examination. The Board of the Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists supports adoption of CAPR’s single licensure examination in principle. This will create a change in the registration/licensing pathway.

Current State

Currently, applicants seeking registration as a physiotherapist in Nova Scotia must complete a two-part evaluation process:

• Written Component:  The Physiotherapy Competency Examination administered by CAPR. - Applicants must successfully complete the written component of the Physiotherapy Competency Examination before they are eligible to apply for registration on NSCP’s Provisional Register as a resident. Physiotherapy residents registered on the Provisional Register must practice under supervision.
• Practical Component:  Interim Competency Evaluation (ICE) process or another Canadian physiotherapy regulator’s clinical competency evaluation for full licensure.

Future State

Starting January 2026, CAPR’s single licensure examination will replace the two-exam model. At this time, NSCP will adopt the new CAPR exam (Canadian Physiotherapy Exam – CPTE) as the pathway to full registration, replacing the current two-step model. All applicants must complete the single licensure examination to be eligible for registration with NSCP.

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.

As of February 28, 2026, the interim competency evaluation (ICE) process will no longer be a pathway to full licensure. After February 28, 2026, ICE applications will no longer be accepted. Partial/incomplete applications will not be accepted. Residents must meet all eligibility requirements prior to submitting an application.

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.

The effects of the transition period will differ depending on individual situations:

For residents that were licensed prior to May 2025:

• Residency will continue until expiry (1 year from initial registration) or 2 failed attempts at a practical competency evaluation (including any administered by a Canadian Physiotherapy regulatory body or the new CAPR exam)
• May still complete ICE if eligible by February 28, 2026. After February 28, 2026, they must be registered and take the next available administration of the new CAPR exam.
• May not access the ICE process if they have not met eligibility criteria by February 28, 2026, or have not submitted a complete application by February 28, 2026.

For residents licensed between May 2025 and August 2025: 

• Residency will continue until expiry (1 year from initial registration) or 2 failed attempts at a practical competency evaluation (including any administered by a Canadian Physiotherapy regulatory body or the new CAPR exam)
• May still complete ICE if eligible by February 28, 2026. After February 28, 2026, they must be registered and take the next available administration of the new CAPR exam.
• May not access the ICE process if they have not met eligibility criteria by February 28, 2026, or have not submitted a complete application by February 28, 2026.

Applicants licensed on or after September 1, 2025: 

• Must be registered for, and take, the next available new CAPR exam.
• Supervised practice (residency) will be available for those who have successfully completed part one (written component) of the current 2 step process.
• May not access the ICE process.

All new applicants (that 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.
• New provisional, resident licenses will no longer be available.

 Resident licenses are:

• provisional licenses (will be conditional licenses under the RHPA)
• maximum of 1 year
• require enrollment in the next available exam
• cannot have more than one failed attempt at a practical competency process or exam (any other Canadian jurisdiction, or CAPR’s new exam) – all evaluation process/exam attempts are counted. 

Notes for transition:

• We recognize some applicants may choose to take the current written exam, to minimize delay in entering the workforce and not have access to the ICE process necessitating taking the new exam. NSCP and CAPR are factoring that into planning and will provide more information as it becomes available.

Summary Table:

NSCP FAQ – CAPR Exam Changes