CAPR Discontinues PCE Clinical Component

The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) announced the discontinuation of the clinical component of its Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE).  They will continue administering their written competency exam and the credentialling program and will begin a major effort to review and re-conceptualize evaluation services for entry-to-practice physiotherapy in Canada..  

This announcement has no immediate impact on the Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists’ interim competency process.  As the interim process is implemented, evaluated and updated the implications of this announcement will be taken into consideration. 

NSCP will continue to communicate updates regarding the competency process. 

Interim Competency Evaluation Process update - Dec 3, 2021

Posted Dec 3, 2021

NSCP has committed to providing an alternative credentialing process to be in effect while the PCE clinical component is not available.  The target was to have an interim policy approved in early November with more details on timelines provided in late November.  Your patience is appreciated as we worked through the policy development and planning for implementation of the interim process.  The policy development phase was extended to review the policy in context with emerging information from other jurisdictions, but has now been completed.

The approved Interim Competency Evaluation Policy is now available for download here.  The policy describes the overall process and requirements.  There are still resources to develop and they will be made available when completed.

Following is a summary of high level key activities and tentative target timelines.  Timelines will be adjusted as required and communicated when changes (increased specificity on anticipated dates, delays or early completion of milestones) are indentified.  

Credentials Committee 

The Credentials Committee will be comprised of a minimum of 3 members, as follows:

• 1 public member;

• 1 registered Physiotherapist that meets the criteria as a sponsor. Sponsors will not review applications for their own residents (current or past); and

• 1 Physiotherapist who is a former or current member of the Board.

The intent is to recruit enough members to have 2 committees operating concurrently to minimize delays once applications are received. 

If you would like further information on the appointment process when it is available email office@nsphysio.com expressing which role you are interested in.

In the interest of allowing staff to focus on the implementation individual requests for further information/questions related to the process will be accepted and incorporated into future communications, however, we will not be able to respond on an individual basis.

NSCP Election 2022

The NSCP will continue to conduct nomination and election of Physiotherapist Board Directors using an online format. Nominations are now open and will be accepted until February 14^th, 2022.  Voting, if required, will take place from February 16^th-21^st, 2022 through member online profiles.

There are 4 Director positions available. Elected members will be asked to participate in onboarding and strategic planning in March prior to assuming their director roles at the AGM in April.

If you are interested in improving Physiotherapy in the interest of the public, advocating on behalf of the public, and establishing best practices then this is an exciting time to get involved.

Nominations forms and all the information you need are found here https://nsphysio.com/about-us/board-of-directors-staff/board-nominations

All nominations must be received no later than February 14^th, 2022.

Voting, if required, will take place from February 16^th-21^st, 2022 through member online profiles. Details on the election process will be provided after the nomination deadline.

Alternative Credentialing Process - Oct 25, 2021

Posted October 25, 2021

Postponements and cancellation of the PCE clinical component due to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant ambiguity for Nova Scotia Resident Physiotherapists on their next steps to fully entering the profession. This is not lost on the board and has and will continue to be a significant consideration as the NSCP continues to meet its public protection mandate.

As requested by the Board during the September 15th, 2021 Board meeting, NSCP staff provided a detailed proposal for an alternative pathway to full Licensure for some residents that wish to apply. The proposal was reviewed during the October 20, 2021 NSCP Board meeting and feedback was provided for staff to incorporate into the process.  The NSCP appreciates your continued patience as the alternative process is finalized, approved and resourced. In the interim the NSCP would like to share a few key points and timeframes.

• Staff developed the proposal with input from the following stakeholders:

  • NS Department of Health and Wellness Staff

  • Active PT sponsors (2 video forum sessions with combined attendance of 12 plus 2 who could not attend but provided input via phone/email communication).

  • Dalhousie University

  • NSPA representatives

  • National Registrar Counterparts

  • Legal Counsel

• The Board is confident that the final process will meet the criteria set during the September 15th Meeting

• The process will be an interim measure for some of the affected candidates and be limited to the time that the national competency standard: clinical component is not available to residents. When a national competency standard: clinical component is available, the NSCP will support this standard requirement for full licensure.

• The application process will be available to NS Residents who have met the requirements while licensed in Nova Scotia.  Residents who meet the minimum month and practice hours while licensed in another Jurisdiction will not qualify to apply until they have completed those requirements in Nova Scotia.

• Current and all future applicants must be made aware of the risks of licensure without successful completion of the PCE with regards to labour mobility

• Next Steps:

  • Draft and approval of interim policy (target early November 2021)

  • Development of detailed process requirements and anticipated timelines (target mid to Late November 2021)

  • Development of resources for credentialing committee and applicants (Target Nov/Dec 2021)

In the interest of allowing staff and volunteers to focus on finalizing, approving and resourcing the process as expeditiously as possible individual requests for further information/questions related to the process will be accepted and incorporated into future communications, however, we will not be able to respond on an individual basis.

Please note that all communication to staff, Board members and volunteers must be professional and made to appropriate parties through the appropriate channels. Individual Board members should not be contacted through social media or through personal channels, as that is not an appropriate nor professional means of correspondence. Correspondence related to processes, administration and communication matters should be directed to the appropriate staff member or to office@nsphysio.com where it will be directed to the appropriate party. The Board of Directors speaks as one voice on College matters and when an individual Board member is contacted, they refer the matter to the larger body for discussion.