Continuing Professional Development
Start your Sport Physiotherapy Canada Credentials journey today!
The SPC Credential Program was developed with two basic goals in mind:
- Offer an avenue whereby SPC members could upgrade their knowledge and
practical skills in the field of Sport Physiotherapy, Sport Science, and Sport
Medicine. - Ensure that Canada’s competitive and recreational athletes receive a
uniform quality of care from physiotherapists working in sport.
Candidates wishing to pursue their credentials in Sport Physiotherapy must follow a multi step process to ensure they meet the necessary criteria to challenge at each level. This is a summarized map to outline the path to becoming an SPC Certificate and then SPC Diploma holder.
Please thoroughly review the SPC Credential Program Handbook to not miss any program criteria!
Certificate Level:
Complete this form to notify the Professional Development team you are interested in beginning the SPC Credentials! Within 3 to 5 business days you will receive your SPC Credential Program introduction package.
Prerequisites:
- SPC Member in good standing – to add the Sport Division to your membership, please visit: physiotherapy.ca/create-account
- Graduate physiotherapist with 2 years experience in clinical practice.
Courses are a 2 to 3 day lecture and practical course that meets the requirements of the Canadian Red Cross Society and Sport Physiotherapy Canada for First Responder Certification.
Prerequisites:
- Registrants must be in healthcare to attend these courses or a second year student in a healthcare field.
Upcoming courses can now be found on the Courses & Events page or at the bottom of SPC’s homepage.
Full course details can be found on the First Responder course page.
The Core Competency Courses are designed to be completed sequentially to help interested candidates prepare to challenge SPC’s Written and Oral Practical Exams. The virtual format will allow flexibility to accommodate various schedules and time zones.
Prerequisites:
- ALL are welcome to enroll (SPC Members and Non-members)
- Minimum requirements for on-field hours as well as mentorship hours are NOT required to enroll in core courses
- Minimum requirements necessary for all SPC credential program/exam applications
- Current First Responder certification is NOT required to enroll in core courses but is recommended
- Enrollment in both Fundamentals and Advanced courses simultaneously is NOT permitted at this time*
*Exceptions may be made for approved SPC mentors, examiners and Diploma holders in good standing with up to date maintenance of credentials
Upcoming courses can now be found on the Courses & Events page or at the bottom of SPC’s homepage. Course registration is open from the second Monday of August until the third Monday in October annually.
Further details can be found on the FAQ page.
The Written Examinations are completed online. Candidates must complete 100 multiple-choice questions within 2 hours.
Exam Dates: November 28th OR December 5th
The fourth Friday of November OR The first Friday of December
Deadline: October 20th
Registration closes the third Monday of October
Time: 2pm EST
Location: Online
Language(s): English and French
Prerequisites:
- Be a graduated physiotherapist
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Current First Responder Certification from a recognized National body such as SPC, Canadian Red Cross or St. John’s Ambulance
- 2 years in clinical practice
- Have sufficient documented practical experience (log book) working with a team or organization and at athletic events:
- A minimum of 200 field hours as a graduate Physiotherapist
- 4 different sports
- 2 sports require a minimum of 75 hours EACH
- One of the two sports must be in a contact, combative, or collision sport
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a recognized SPC Mentor
- The Candidate must locate a suitable Invigilator, and inform SPC of the individual and their contact information
- Invigilator requirements: The Invigilator must be a SPC Diploma Physiotherapist, a MD, a DC, a head of department or clinic, or an educator in a postsecondary institution
- The invigilator receives instructions via email from SPC directly prior to the Written component date and supervises the Candidate while writing the exam
Upcoming exams can now be found on the Courses & Events page or at the bottom of SPC’s homepage. Exam registration is open from the second Monday of August until the third Monday in October annually.
The oral practical exam is hosted in-person annually in the spring. Candidates remain in the same room for the entire exam for a maximum allowable time of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Dates: April 24-26, 2026
Locations: Vancouver, BC (West) & Toronto, ON (East)
Language(s): English and French (in the Eastern location only)
Registration Deadline: February 16th, 2026
Registration closes the third Monday of February
Requisite Documentation Forms Deadline: April 6th, 2026
This form is due the first Monday of April
Prerequisites:
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Current First Responder Certification
- Indirect and direct mentorship hours
- Successfully passed the Certificate Written Exam (within the past 3 years)
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a recognized SPC Mentor
- The Certificate designation will not be obtained until completion of the Fundamentals Core Competency Course.
Upcoming exams can now be found on the Courses & Events page or at the bottom of SPC’s homepage. Exam registration is open from the second Monday of August until the third Monday in February annually.
SPC Certificate Holders must maintain their credentials every 3 years. Maintenance details can be found here.
Diploma Level:
First Responder courses must be recertified every 3 years. Ensure you are still valid to continue into the Diploma Level.
Courses are a 2 to 3 day lecture and practical course that meets the requirements of the Canadian Red Cross Society and Sport Physiotherapy Canada for First Responder Certification.
Prerequisites:
- Registrants must be in healthcare to attend these courses or a second year student in a healthcare field.
Upcoming courses can now be found on the Courses & Events page or at the bottom of SPC’s homepage.
Full course details can be found on the First Responder course page.
The Core Competency Courses are designed to be completed sequentially to help interested candidates prepare to challenge SPC’s Written and Oral Practical Exams. The virtual format will allow flexibility to accommodate various schedules and time zones.
Prerequisites:
- ALL are welcome to enroll (SPC Members and Non-members)
- Minimum requirements for on-field hours as well as mentorship hours are NOT required to enroll in core courses
- Minimum requirements necessary for all SPC credential program/exam applications
- Current First Responder certification is NOT required to enroll in core courses but is recommended
- Must be a SPC Certificate holder, Diploma candidate, Diploma holder or have taken the Fundamentals course in order to enroll in the Advanced Course
- Enrollment in both Fundamentals and Advanced courses simultaneously is NOT permitted at this time*
*Exceptions may be made for approved SPC mentors, examiners and Diploma holders in good standing with up to date maintenance of credentials
Upcoming courses can now be found on the Courses & Events page or at the bottom of SPC’s homepage. Course registration is open from the second Monday of August until the third Monday in October annually.
Further details can be found on the FAQ page.
The Written Examinations are completed online. Candidates must complete 100 multiple-choice questions within 2 hours.
Exam Dates: November 28th OR December 5th
The fourth Friday of November OR The first Friday of December
Deadline: October 20th
Registration closes the third Monday of October
Time: 2pm EST
Location: Online
Language(s): English and French
Prerequisites:
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Be a SPC Certificate Level Credential Holder
- Current First Responder Certification
- 3 years in clinical practice
- Achieved the additional minimum of 200 hours (75 hours must be in contact, collision, or combative sport) of document practical experience (see note on hours below)
- Experience gained in at least 6 different sports, in 1 of these six 6 sports – involvement must extend over 1 full season with a team or club
- Full Season includes pre-season screening, in-season and postseason
- 1 of the sports must be in a contact, collision, or combative sport (i.e. hockey, lacrosse, soccer, judo, etc.)
- 1 sport covered over 1 season must include a minimum of 75 hours* of practical experience in that sport
- Submit a “Preparation Summary” found in the Log Book template
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a recognized SPC Mentor
- Locate a suitable Invigilator, and inform SPC of the individual and their contact information
- Invigilator requirements: The Invigilator must be a SPC Diploma Physiotherapist, a MD, a DC, a head of department or clinic, or an educator in a postsecondary institution
- The invigilator receives instructions via email from SPC directly prior to the Written component date and supervises the Candidate while writing the exam
Upcoming exams can now be found on the Courses & Events page or at the bottom of SPC’s homepage. Exam registration is open from the second Monday of August until the third Monday in October annually.
The oral practical exam is hosted in-person annually in the spring. Candidates remain in the same room for the entire exam for a maximum allowable time of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Dates: April 24-26, 2026
Locations: Vancouver, BC (West) & Toronto, ON (East)
Language(s): English and French (in the Eastern location only)
Registration Deadline: February 16th, 2026
Registration closes the third Monday of February
Requisite Documentation Forms Deadline: April 6th, 2026
This form is due the first Monday of April
Prerequisites:
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Current First Responder Certification
- Indirect and direct mentorship hours
- Successfully passed the Diploma Written Exam (within the past 3 years)
- The Diploma designation will not be obtained until completion of the Advanced Core Competency Course.
Upcoming exams can now be found on the Courses & Events page or at the bottom of SPC’s homepage. Exam registration is open from the second Monday of August until the third Monday in February annually.
SPC Certificate Holders must maintain their credentials every 3 years. Maintenance details can be found here.
SPC credentials (Diploma) are an approved pathway status by the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapists (IFSPT). SPC Diploma Credential holders can obtain the recognition as a Registered International Sports Physical Therapist.
IFSPT Registration Information:
If you have achieved the established level in your country’s organization in the countries listed below, you can immediately apply for registration. For SPC, the approved established level is the SPC Diploma.
This is a two-step process:
- Fill out the application form and complete payment
- Send the form to Mary Wilkinson at mwilkinson@ifspt.org
Registration cost is only 50 euros for five years. Please allow 2-3 months processing time for your registration to be processed through the review and approval.
Once your application is approved and payment is received, you will be placed on the roster of Registered International Sports Physical Therapists.
Benefits Of Registration
If you would like to take your skills to the world, this is the pathway you should choose! Registered International Sports Physical Therapists (RISPT) are immediately recognized as individuals possessing the knowledge, experience, and skills to work in the worldwide field of sports.
While RISPT status does not license an individual in other countries, it does notify that the individual has achieved the highest level of qualification in his or her country. Benefits include
- Recognition of achievement on an international level
- Increased research and teaching opportunities
- A positive effect on consultations and invited presentations
- New job opportunities
- Opportunities for increased job responsibility
- Increase in prestige within clinical and academic settings as well as professional associations and the community as a whole
- A more interesting and fulfilling career
Equivalency Pathway:
Physiotherapists who have successfully completed the requirements for the Registered International Federation of Sport Physical Therapist (RISPT) designation in one of our International Federation of Sport Physical Therapists (IFSPT) partner countries who wish to pursue the Certificate & Diploma designations in Canada will be exempt from certain SPC Credential Program requirements. Proof of membership with IFSPT rendering RISPT status will be required and will subsequently allow for an exemption from both the Certificate & Diploma written examinations.
Physiotherapists who have successfully completed a Sports Science or Sport & Exercise Medicine Masters (or equivalent) at a post-secondary institution in Canada will also be exempt from certain SPC Credential Program requirements. Proof of successful program completion will be required and will subsequently allow for an exemption from both the Certificate & Diploma written examinations.
The following is required to apply, and be approved for, the certificate oral practical exam. Note that Certificate and Diploma Oral Practical Exams cannot be completed in the same year:
- Be a graduated physiotherapist
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Current First Responder Certification from a recognized National body such as SPC, Canadian Red Cross or St. John’s Ambulance
- 2 years in clinical practice
- Have sufficient practical experience working with a team or organization and at athletic events:
- A minimum of 200 hours of documented practical experience as a graduate Physiotherapist, over 4 sports
- A minimum of 75 hours in 2 sports, 1 being in a contact, combative, or collision sport, and proof of reports submitted through the registration
- Indirect and direct mentorship hours
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a recognized SPC Mentor
- Proof of membership with IFSPT (eg. RISPT), OR provide proof of enrollment in an approved Canadian post-secondary Sports Science/Sport & Exercise Medicine Masters (or equivalent)
If you are interested in beginning the process of a SPC Credential Program Equivalency and have inquiries, please email credentials@sportphysio.ca.
The following is required to apply, and be approved for, the certificate oral practical exam. Note that Certificate and Diploma Oral Practical Exams cannot be completed in the same year:
- Be a member in good standing of Sport Physiotherapy Canada
- Be a SPC Certificate Level Credential Holder
- Current First Responder Certification
- 3 years in clinical practice
- Achieved the additional minimum of 200 hours (75 hours must be in contact, collision, or combative sport) of document practical experience (see note on hours below)
- Experience gained in at least 6 different sports, in 1 of these six 6 sports – involvement must extend over 1 full season with a team or club
- Full Season includes pre-season screening, in-season and postseason
- 1 of the sports must be in a contact, collision, or combative sport (i.e. hockey, lacrosse, soccer, judo, etc.)
- 1 sport covered over 1 season must include a minimum of 75 hours of practical experience in that sport
- Submit a “Preparation Summary” found in the Log Book template
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a recognized SPC Mentor
- Indirect and direct mentorship hours
- Proof of membership with IFSPT (eg. RISPT), OR provide proof of completion of an approved Canadian post-secondary Sports Science/Sport & Exercise Medicine Masters (or equivalent)
If you are interested in beginning the process of a SPC Credential Program Equivalency and have inquiries, please email credentials@sportphysio.ca.
To post and view external education opportunities, please visit Other Education.
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