How to become a Physiotherapist
Also called: Aquatic physiotherapist, Clinical physiotherapist, Physical therapist, Sports physical therapist, Sports physiotherapist, Veterinary physiotherapist, Principal Physiotherapist (Clinical), Principal Physiotherapy Manager, Principal Physiotherapy Researcher, Senior Physiotherapist, Senior Principal Physiotherapist (Clinical), Senior Principal Physiotherapy Manager
Physiotherapist assesses, plans and implements rehabilitative programmes that improve or restore human or animal motor functions, maximise movement ability, relieve pain syndromes, and treat or prevent physical challenges associated with injuries, diseases and other impairments. He/she applies a broad range of physical therapies and techniques such as movement, ultrasound, heating, laser and other techniques. He/she administers muscle, nerve, joint and functional ability tests to identify and assess physical problems of patients or clients.
Main tasks
- Administering muscle, nerve, joint and functional ability tests to identify and assess physical problems of patients or clients
- Establishing treatment goals with patients or clients and designing treatment programmes to address patients’ problems
- Treating patients to reduce pain, improve circulation, strengthen muscles, improve cardiothoracic, cardiovascular and respiratory functions, restore joint mobility, and improve balance and coordination
- Working alongside other health professionals, such as veterinarians, during the treatment of the animals’ ailments
- Using the therapeutic properties of exercise, heat, cold, massage, manipulation, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, ultraviolet and infra-red light and ultrasound in the treatment of patients
- Reviewing, continually monitoring, assessing and evaluating programmes and treatments
- Instructing patients and their families in procedures to be continued at home
- Recording information on patients’ health status and responses to treatment in medical records keeping systems, and sharing information with other health professionals as required to ensure continuing and comprehensive care
How to become one
Physiotherapists involved in the treatment of human ailments are required to register with the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) or its equivalent in order to practise in Singapore.
Ways in
- University: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 1 universities in Singapore
- Licence or registration: Five professions are regulated: physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists, diagnostic radiographers and radiation therapists. They must be registered with the Allied Health Professions Council and hold a practising certificate. Law: Allied Health Professions Act 2011. Regulator: Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) (https://www.ahpc.gov.sg).
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $57,768 a year. The middle half earn $50,820 to $74,400 a year.
- Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Physiotherapist?
Physiotherapists involved in the treatment of human ailments are required to register with the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) or its equivalent in order to practise in Singapore.
How much does a Physiotherapist earn in Singapore?
Median full-time pay is $57,768 a year (Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg)). The middle half earn $50,820 to $74,400.
Will AI change the work of a Physiotherapist?
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Sources
- Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg): Resident Occupational Wages (Occupational Wage Survey) (June 2024 (data.gov.sg update 2026-04-01)), Singapore Open Data Licence v1.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
- Singapore Department of Statistics (Ministry of Health data): Registered Health Personnel (End Of Period), Annual (M870011) (SingStat Table Builder M870011), Singapore Open Data Licence, retrieved 4 October 2026
- Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat): Singapore Standard Occupational Classification (SSOC) 2024 (SSOC 2024 (definitions and index updated 2026-06-24)), Singapore Open Data Licence, retrieved 4 October 2026
- International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
Updated 4 October 2026