Registration

Registration under section 12(1)(a) of the SMPO

A person who holds the following qualification as prescribed in section 4 of the Physiotherapists (Registration and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulation shall be qualified for registration as a physiotherapist –

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Physiotherapy awarded by the Hong Kong Polytechnic or The Hong Kong Polytechnic University;
• A Professional Diploma in Physiotherapy issued by the Hong Kong Polytechnic on or before 1 January 1995;
• A certificate issued by the Hong Kong Government School of Physiotherapy of the Medical and Health Department on or before 1 January 1981; or
• A certificate from the Board that he has passed an examination relating to physiotherapy conducted under section 15A of the Ordinance for the purposes of section 12(1)(a) of the Ordinance.

Registration under section 12(1)(b) of the SMPO

A person who holds a qualification which is not prescribed under section 4 of the Physiotherapists (Registration and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulation shall be qualified for registration as a physiotherapist if he –

1. holds an entry-level degree in physiotherapy awarded by a tertiary institute recognized by the local physiotherapy governing body. The degree must follow a programme equivalent to full-time duration of no less than three years for undergraduate or two years for post-graduate courses. The programme curriculum should be recognized by the SMP Council which include at least 800 supervised clinical hours of physiotherapy practice;
2. holds a current registration status with a physiotherapy governing body* and with a current practising right in that jurisdiction; and
3. produces a recent letter of good standing from the academic institution or the employer or a professional body.
4. * The governing body is defined as Government or a professional licensing body.

Applicant who has fulfilled the criteria (a) – (c) above, but failed to satisfy completely the requirement regarding the curriculum as recognized by the SMP Council will be invited to sit for the Physiotherapists Board's registration examination which consists of two parts – a written examination and a practical assessment. Candidate who has passed the written examination will be admitted to take the practical part. Anyone who has passed both parts of the examination is qualified for registration under section 12(1)(a) of the Ordinance.

Registration under section 12(1)(c) of the SMPO

A person who, on the date on which section 12 of the SMP Ordinance commenced to apply to the physiotherapy profession (i.e. 1 April 1997), is practicing physiotherapy but who do not possess any formal qualifications may apply for registration under section 12(1)(c) of the Ordinance. The Supplementary Medical Professions Council and Physiotherapists Board will consider each application and determine in which part of the register the name of the successful applicant shall be entered based on the applicant’s education, training, professional experience and skill.  Each application will be considered on its own merits.

Register

• The register of physiotherapists consists of 2 parts, namely Part I and Part II. Part I is further divided into Part Ia and Part Ib. Provisional registration in the Part II Register under section 15 of the SMPO had concluded on 30 September 1997.
• Applicant holding not less than one year of post-qualification 'recognized experience' may apply for registration in Part Ia Register. Applicant who does not possess that experience may apply for registration in Part Ib of the Register. Section 5(2) of the PT Regulation provides that 'recognized experience' refers to an experience in the practice of physiotherapy acquired by the applicant other than in the course of practising physiotherapy –

1. as a sole proprietor; or
2. in any other capacity at a profit-seeking establishment at which no other physiotherapist who has experience of not less than one year in the practice of physiotherapy practises physiotherapy.