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Member organisation

AMEFI National College of Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy

Colegio Nacional de FisioterapiaMexicoSouth America
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AMEFI Colegio Nacional de Fisioterapia/Mexican Association of Physiotherapy has been a member of World Physiotherapy since 1970 and is part of our South America region. The association dates back to 1955 and was called the Mexican Association of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation until 2002, when it became the Mexican Association of Physiotherapy.

In 2013 it became AMEFI National College of Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy.

Specialty groups

The Mexican Association of Physiotherapy, or its national special interest groups, are members of the following specialty groups recognised by World Physiotherapy:

Year established

1955

World Physiotherapy member since

1970

Year members reported

2024

Number of physiotherapist members

691

Contact details

Key contacts

Mexico: a profile of the profession in 2024

mo-pdf-iconData disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2024

Professional titles protected by law

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Licenciado en Fisioterapia

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Licenciado en Terapia Física

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Licenciado en Terapia Física y Rehabilitación

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Licenciado en Rehabilitación y en Kinesiología en mínimo porcentaje de egresados

About AMEFI National College of Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy and the physiotherapy profession in Mexico

Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory

35,528

2.77

Per 10,000 population

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% female

68%

In this country/territory

Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)

691

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% female

67%

In this MO

Physiotherapy professional entry level education

Minimum qualification required to practice

Bachelors degree

Equivalent fulltime years

5

Number of programmes

283

Entry level physiotherapy education programmes

Contact the Mexican Association of Physiotherapy. National College of Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy A.C. for details on entry-level educational programs in Mexico.

Regulation

* = Continuing Professional Development

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Registration required to practice

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CPD* required for re-registration

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CPD* required for membership

What is required to practice in the country/territory?

The regulator of all professions is the Dirección General de Profesiones (DGP) of the Ministry of Public Education(SEP), which grants the title and professional license to practice https://www.gob.mx/cedulaprofesional; https://www.gob.mx/sep Secretaría de Salud https://www.gob.mx/salud

Practice

Which authority defines scope of practice

Ministry of Health or another government department

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Standards of practice

More than one

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Education for autonomous practice

Some programmes

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Legislation supports private practice

Physiotherapists are permitted to

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    Act as first contact/autonomous practitioners

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    Assess patients/clients

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    Make a diagnosis

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    Offer preventative advice/services

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    Refer to other specialists/services

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    Treat (interventions, advice and evaluation of outcome)

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    Provide telehealth services

Direct access

*Direct access means a person can refer themselves to a physiotherapist without referral from another health professional

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Direct access* permitted?

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Can people self refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

Will this be reimbursed?

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Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?

Limitations

What are the circumstances in which direct access is limited?

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    Setting (eg. outpatient, private practice, school setting, prevention and wellness, etc)

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    Population/health condition (eg. musculoskeletal, non-complex, etc)

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    Time (eg. medical referral required if treatment is needed beyond 30 or 60 days)

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    Training (eg. certification, academic training, or CPD to demonstrate skill necessary to treat patients without referral from a medial doctor)

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    Other

In the public system, all patients must be referred by the specialist doctor; or by the family doctor in the first level of care In private practice, the patient can go to the physiotherapist without being referred from a doctor or some physiotherapists have agreements with specialist physicians or participate in a multidisciplinary team for which patients are referred to them.

Special interest groups recognised by the member organisation

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    Aquatics

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    Mental health

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    Oncology/palliative care and HIV

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    Sports physiotherapy

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    Womens health

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    Management/administration

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events

http://www.amefi.com.mx/

All our courses are announced on our website

Profile of the profession in this region

A global profile of the profession is also available.

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Accessible version of data

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Argentina

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

1,256 (1000-10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

9.17 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

64% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

58% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

5.25 (5-10)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Brazil

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

3,800 (1000-10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

16.17 (15-20)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

49% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

57% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

26.45 (>20)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Chile

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

929 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

22.82 (>20)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

46% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

55% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

20.38 (>20)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

No

Different kinds of direct access permitted

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Colombia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

488 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

7.24 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

87% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

84% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

3.26 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Costa Rica

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

3,431 (1000-10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

7.56 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

74% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

63% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

4.8 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Member organisation

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Yes

Dominican Republic

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

102 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.93 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

77% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

80% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.88 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Ecuador

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

139 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

3.63 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

60% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

70% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

5.5 (5-10)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Guatemala

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

108 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.43 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

51% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

65% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.42 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

No

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Mexico

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

691 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

2.77 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

67% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

69% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

11.02 (10-15)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, More than one

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Peru

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

116 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

2.47 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

85% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

80% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

2.18 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

No

Different kinds of direct access permitted

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Uruguay

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

343 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

5.46 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

64% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

72% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

4.38 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

No

Different kinds of direct access permitted

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Venezuela

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

200 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.28 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

50% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

68% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.91 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

No

Different kinds of direct access permitted

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

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