The College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba Overview

The College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba (CPM) is the organization which regulates the practice of physiotherapy in Manitoba. Established in 1957, CPM receives its regulatory authority from provincial legislation called "The Physiotherapists Act". The organization is a self-regulated and self-supported professional body. Prior to 2001 the organization was known as the Association of Physiotherapists of Manitoba. The mission of CPM is to protect the public interest by regulating and continually improving the practice of physiotherapy in Manitoba. CPM protects the public interest by dealing with issues related to registration of qualified practitioners, regulations, professional and ethical conduct, education, complaints and practice standards.

College Structure

The College's structure consists of three components: the Council, committees and staff. There are nine members who comprise the Council. The Council has six physiotherapists and three public members. The Registrar holds an ex-officio position on the Board.

What is the College?

The College is the body responsible for the registration (or licensing) of any physiotherapist who wishes to practice physiotherapy in this province. Its primary purpose in registering physiotherapists is to ensure that the public receives physiotherapy treatment only from a qualified person. The College is also charged with ensuring that complaints of malpractice, misconduct or misrepresentation involving physiotherapists are thoroughly investigated and that appropriate action is taken to resolve the problem. The College does not exist to promote the interests and / or advancement of physiotherapists. However, registration with the College ensures that the physiotherapist has met certain requirements and is fully qualified to practice as a physiotherapist.

Why is a College needed?

The provincial government has the broad responsibility for seeing that the good is served. In some instances the government has, by legislation, delegated some of this responsibility to professions. Thus, in this province, the "Act Respecting the Practice of Physiotherapy" was enacted in 1957 and was replaced by the "Physiotherapy Act" in 1981, giving the responsibility for ensuring that the public good is served with respect to physiotherapy, to a body named the Association of Physiotherapists of Manitoba.

In 2001, a new Act "The Physiotherapists Act" was proclaimed which delegates responsibility for the provision of quality physiotherapy to Manitobans to the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba.

Who is the College?

Every physiotherapist who intends to work in this province must be registered. Upon registration each person becomes a member of the College. The nine members of Council carry on the business of the College. Members of the College elect six of the Council and three Council members are public representatives. Each member of the Council serves for a three-year term. The primary responsibility of the Council is to enforce the "Physiotherapists Act".