Therapy and assessment professionals

How to become a Physiotherapist

Official title: Physiotherapists

Also called: Physiotherapist, Clinical physiotherapist, Research physiotherapist, Consultant physiotherapist, Registered physiotherapist, Physical therapist, Physiotherapy supervisor, Clinical physical therapist, Physical therapy supervisor, Research physical therapist, Consultant physical therapist, Registered physical therapist

Physiotherapists assess clients and plan and carry out individually designed treatment programs to maintain, improve or restore physical functioning and mobility, alleviate pain and prevent physical dysfunction in clients. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, industry, sports organizations, rehabilitation centres and extended care facilities, or may work in private practice.

Main tasks

Assess clients' physical abilities using assessment procedures such as functional ability tests and make a physiotherapy diagnosis
Establish treatment goals with clients based on diagnosis
Develop and implement physiotherapy treatment plans including therapeutic exercise, manipulations, massage, education, electrotherapy hydrotherapy and other modalities
Evaluate effectiveness of treatment plans and modify accordingly
Provide advice on exercise and strategies to implement at home to enhance and or maintain treatment
Communicate with referring physician and other health care professionals regarding clients' problems, needs and progress
Maintain clinical and statistical records and confer with other health care professionals
Develop and implement health promotion programs for clients, staff and the community

How to become one

A master's degree in physiotherapy and a period of supervised practical training are required. A licence or registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories. Completion of a physiotherapist competency examination is required in all provinces and territories.

See the full NOC 2021 profile

Ways in

University: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 9 universities in Canada
Licence or registration: A licence or registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.

Pay · Outlook

Median pay: $89,993 a year The middle half earn $77,805 to $98,261.
About 38,300 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 51,300 are projected by 2033. (+33.9%)
Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Physiotherapist?

How much does a Physiotherapist earn in Canada?

Median full-time pay is $89,993 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $77,805 to $98,261.

Is a Physiotherapist a growing career in Canada?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 34% by 2033, from about 38,300 to about 51,300 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).

Do you need a degree to become a Physiotherapist?

Usually. 96% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Sources

Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03