How to Become a Physiotherapist in Quebec
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec to work as a physiotherapist in Quebec or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- physiotherapist
Show the source
“The Quebec *Professional Code* prohibits any non-member of OPPQ from using the designation “physiotherapist” or “physiotherapy technologist” and from performing any act reserved for OPPQ members. To legally practice you must hold a license and be a registered OPPQ member.”
From oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 2 steps
- Licensed in another province: 5 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 2 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with OPPQ
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
You submit your application for a license and first-time registration using the online form.
-
You pay the registration fee, the annual membership fee, and the professional liability insurance premium.
Source
“Pay the registration fee, annual membership fee, and professional liability insurance premium.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with OPPQ
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
-
You submit your application for an OPPQ license and first-time registration using the online form.
Source
“Submit application using the online form.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates -
You pay the registration fee, the annual membership fee, and the professional liability insurance premium.
Source
“Pay the registration fee, annual membership fee, and professional liability insurance premium.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates -
You provide a recent piece of photo ID and a letter of good standing from the Canadian governing body that issued your license.
Source
“A recent piece of photo ID. - A letter of good standing from the Canadian governing body for physiotherapists that issued your license and, if you belong to another governing body for a profession in Quebec, from that governing body.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates -
You must prove you are proficient enough in French to practice in Quebec, otherwise you may be issued a temporary license.
Source
“You will also have to prove that you are proficient enough in French to practice as a physiotherapist in Quebec, otherwise you may be issued a temporary license.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates -
Once your payment is received, Admissions Services reviews your application and issues your license.
Source
“Once your payment is received, Admissions Services will review your application and issue your license.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with OPPQ
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
You obtain a Comparative evaluation for studies done outside Quebec from the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration that recognizes at least an undergraduate university education in physiotherapy.
Source
“Among other steps, you should obtain a Comparative evaluation for studies done outside Quebec issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration that recognizes at least an undergraduate university education in physiotherapy.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/international-candidates -
You submit an application for degree, diploma, or education equivalency in order to become licensed.
Source
“To practice as a physiotherapist (PT) or physiotherapy technologist (Phys. T.) in Quebec, you must submit an application for degree, diploma, or education equivalency.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/international-candidates
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with OPPQ
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- File review fee: $402.41 (depending on the case)
Source
“Once your documents are received, Admissions Services will contact you for payment of the $402.41 file review fee, depending on the case.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/resuming-practice
Requirements
Education
You must hold a degree or diploma that entitles you to an OPPQ license and that is recognized by the government, or be recognized as holding an equivalent degree, diploma, or education.
Source
“You hold a degree or diploma that entitles you to an OPPQ license and that is recognized by the government under section 1.14 or 2.12 of the * Regulation respecting the diplomas issued by designated educational institutions which give access to permits or specialist’s certificates of professional orders*.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates
Insurance
You must pay a professional liability insurance premium as part of registration.
Source
“Pay the registration fee, annual membership fee, and professional liability insurance premium.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates
Other
You must be proficient enough in French to practice as a physiotherapy professional in French.
Source
“To receive an OPPQ license, you must be proficient enough in French to practice as a physiotherapy professional in French.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidatesApplicants licensed in another Canadian province must provide a letter of good standing from the governing body that issued their license.
Source
“A letter of good standing from the Canadian governing body for physiotherapists that issued your license and, if you belong to another governing body for a profession in Quebec, from that governing body.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
A physiotherapist with a regular license issued in another Canadian province or territory can apply for an OPPQ license and first-time registration based on that license, with no additional exam or competence assessment described. Source
“If you hold a regular physiotherapy license issued in Canada (outside Quebec), you must apply for an OPPQ license and for first-time registration as an OPPQ member.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates
Submit online application
Source
“Submit application using the online form.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidatesPay required fees
Source
“Pay the registration fee, annual membership fee, and professional liability insurance premium.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with OPPQ
Credential assessment
Comparative evaluation for studies done outside Quebec
Recognizes at least an undergraduate university education in physiotherapy for internationally trained applicants for a physiotherapist's license.
Source
“Among other steps, you should obtain a Comparative evaluation for studies done outside Quebec issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration that recognizes at least an undergraduate university education in physiotherapy.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/international-candidates
Exams
-
OQLF exam
Source
“After four years, you will not be able to practice your profession unless you pass the OQLF exam. However, you can keep taking the exam until you pass.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/knowledge-of-french
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with OPPQ
Exemptions: Your knowledge of French is considered sufficient if you completed at least three years of full-time secondary or postsecondary education in French, passed the French as a first language exam for Secondary Levels 4 or 5 in Québec, or earned a high school diploma in Québec in 1985–86 or a later school year. Source
“- You completed at least three years of full-time secondary or postsecondary education in French - You passed the French as a first language exam for Secondary Levels 4 or 5 in Québec - You earned a high school diploma in Québec in 1985–86 or a later school year”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/knowledge-of-french
Canadian experience
Applicants who are legally licensed to practice as a physiotherapist in another Canadian province or territory can qualify for an OPPQ license under the regulation on legal authorizations to practice outside Quebec. Source
“You are legally licensed to practice as a physiotherapist in another Canadian province or territory under the *Règlement sur les autorisations légales d’exercer la profession de physiothérapeute hors du Québec qui donnent ouverture au permis de physiothérapeute délivré par l’OPPQ*.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates
Supervised practice
Not required
The pages do not describe a supervised practice period for physiotherapists. Source
“The temporary restrictive license is issued to candidates who, by decision of the OPPQ Executive Committee, must complete refresher training or a bridging program as part of their application for degree, diploma, or education equivalency.”
oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/international-candidates
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $31.25 | $48.08 | $54.91 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $30.00 | $46.15 | $56.21 | — |
Physiotherapists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Licence required
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Licence required
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Licence required
Sources checked
- Become a member | OPPQ oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member · fetched October 10, 2026
- Quebec/Canada candidates | OPPQ oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/quebec-canada-candidates · fetched October 10, 2026
- International candidates | OPPQ oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/international-candidates · fetched October 10, 2026
- Resuming practice | OPPQ oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/resuming-practice · fetched October 10, 2026
- Knowledge of French | OPPQ oppq.qc.ca/en/become-a-member/knowledge-of-french · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a physiotherapist in Quebec?
Yes. Registration with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec is required to practise in Quebec, and to use the title physiotherapist.
Which exams are required?
OQLF exam.
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