How to become a physiotherapist in BC

Q: What do you need to get in?

A four-year bachelor's degree in any field; At least a B (72%) in each prerequisite course; A B+ (76%) average in your senior-level courses; Prerequisite courses: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Physics, Psychology, and Statistics; 70 hours of volunteer or paid work with people with disabilities, at no more than two places. Some schools ask for more; check the school page.

Registered Physiotherapist · British Columbia

Help people move and recover after injury or illness. You need a two-year master's degree, a national exam and registration.

How long

6 to 7 years (4 yrs undergrad + 26 mos MPT)

Cost

Not published

1 school

Who licenses it

CHCPBC

🏫Where you can take this: 1 school

🏛️University of British Columbia

THE ROUTE

The route at a glance

STEP 1

High School Preparation (Grades 11–12)

Complete high school with physics and biology

STEP 2

Bachelor Degree with MPT Prerequisites

Complete 4-year bachelor degree with 76%+ GPA

STEP 3

UBC MPT Admission, Casper & MMI

Submit MPT application, complete Casper & interview

STEP 4

Master of Physical Therapy (UBC, 26 Months)

Complete 26-month MPT curriculum & clinical hours

STEP 5

Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE)

Pass the 5-hour CAPR national CPTE exam

JOB

CHCPBC Full Licensure & Practice

STEP 1

High School Preparation (Grades 11–12)

Complete high school with physics and biology

STEP 2

Bachelor Degree with MPT Prerequisites

Complete 4-year bachelor degree with 76%+ GPA

STEP 3

UBC MPT Admission, Casper & MMI

Submit MPT application, complete Casper & interview

STEP 4

Master of Physical Therapy (UBC, 26 Months)

Complete 26-month MPT curriculum & clinical hours

STEP 5

Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE)

Pass the 5-hour CAPR national CPTE exam

JOB

CHCPBC Full Licensure & Practice

This is the overview. For the courses to take, the entry rules, the exams and the schools, open the full route.

See the full route, step by step →

THE JOB

What the job is like

Pay and outlook from WorkBC.

Pay

$28.00 – $72.12 / hr$50 median

Job outlook

2,720 forecasted job openings (2025–2035) · 2025–2035

Where the work is

Mainland / Southwest, Vancouver Island, Interior Health

What a day looks like

You assess movement problems and guide patients through physical exercises and hands-on therapy in clinics and hospitals.

Watch out for

Use proper lifting techniques and transfer belts to prevent musculoskeletal injury when supporting patients.

Where it can lead

You can establish an independent private physical therapy clinic.

You can also achieve advanced clinical fellowship credentials in manipulative or sports physiotherapy.

Source: WorkBC career profile, NOC 31202

JOBS

Find jobs

Live postings on the big job boards, searched for this job in British Columbia.

Job Board

WorkBC job board

Search “Physiotherapist” in BC →

Job Board

Job Bank (Government of Canada)

Search “Physiotherapist” in BC →

Job Board

Search “Physiotherapist” in BC →

Job Board

Indeed

Search “Physiotherapist” in BC →

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Common questions

How long does it take to become a physiotherapist in BC?

About 6 to 7 years, counting from Grade 11. The main steps are high school preparation (Grades 11–12), bachelor degree with MPT prerequisites, UBC MPT admission, casper & MMI, master of physical therapy (UBC, 26 months), Canadian physiotherapy examination (CPTE), CHCPBC full licensure & practice.

What do you need to get in?

A four-year bachelor's degree in any field
At least a B (72%) in each prerequisite course
A B+ (76%) average in your senior-level courses
Prerequisite courses: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Physics, Psychology, and Statistics
70 hours of volunteer or paid work with people with disabilities, at no more than two places

Some schools ask for more; check the school page.

How much does a physiotherapist make in BC?

The WorkBC median is $50 / hour. Most earn between $28.00 and $72.12 / hour. 2,720 job openings are expected in BC over 2025–2035.

Do you need a licence?

Yes. You register with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC). Before that you pass Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE) written component (administered by CAPR) and BC College of Physical Therapists provincial clinical examination and registration.

WHERE TO TAKE THIS

Approved colleges, universities & providers

Accredited British Columbia institutions offering recognized programs and courses for this career.

Browse all BC institutions

🏛️

University of British Columbia

Vancouver & Kelowna · Metro Vancouver

Degree

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT Program)

UBC Department of Physical Therapy provides 1,025+ hours of clinical practice placements across BC, preparing students for the national CPTE exam.

Duration26 months

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostNot published

See the full page: Physical therapy master (MPT) →

Direct Enrolment Portal

How to become a physiotherapist in BC

The route at a glance

High School Preparation (Grades 11–12)

Bachelor Degree with MPT Prerequisites

UBC MPT Admission, Casper & MMI

Master of Physical Therapy (UBC, 26 Months)

Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE)

CHCPBC Full Licensure & Practice

High School Preparation (Grades 11–12)

Bachelor Degree with MPT Prerequisites

UBC MPT Admission, Casper & MMI

Master of Physical Therapy (UBC, 26 Months)

Canadian Physiotherapy Examination (CPTE)

CHCPBC Full Licensure & Practice

What the job is like

Find jobs

WorkBC job board

Job Bank (Government of Canada)

LinkedIn

Indeed

Common questions

How long does it take to become a physiotherapist in BC?

What do you need to get in?

How much does a physiotherapist make in BC?

Do you need a licence?

Approved colleges, universities & providers

University of British Columbia

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT Program)