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Member organisation

Puerto Rican Association of Physiotherapy

Associación Puertorriqueña de FisioterapiaPuerto RicoNorth America Caribbean
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Associación Puertorriqueña de Fisioterapia (APTF)/Puerto Rican Association of Physiotherapy has been a member of World Physiotherapy since 1988 and is part of our North America Caribbean region.

APTF was established in 1976 to represent the interests and concerns of physiotherapists in Puerto Rico

Year established

1976

World Physiotherapy member since

1988

Year members reported

2023

Number of physiotherapist members

307

Contact details

Key contacts

Puerto Rico: a profile of the profession in 2023

mo-pdf-iconDownload profilemo-pdf-iconData disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2023

Professional titles protected by law

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Fisioterapista

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Terapista físico

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Asistente del fisioterapista

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Asistente del terapista físico

About Puerto Rican Association of Physiotherapy and the physiotherapy profession in Puerto Rico

Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory

716

2.22

Per 10,000 population

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% female

66%

In this country/territory

68%

In this region

63%

Globally

Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)

307

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% female

63%

In this MO

58%

In MOs in this region

58%

In MOs globally

Physiotherapy professional entry level education

Minimum qualification required to practice

Professional doctorate

Equivalent fulltime years

3.5

Number of programmes

1

Entry level physiotherapy education programmes

https://eps.rcm.upr.edu/physical-therapy/

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?

Professional license conferred by the Puerto Rico Physical Therapy Examining Board

Practice

Which authority defines scope of practice

Ministry of Health or another government department

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Standards of practice

The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

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Education for autonomous practice

All 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

To receive physical therapy services in Puerto Rico everyone needs a medical referral or order. That is stated in the current PT Law, from 1962 (https://www.lexjuris.com/lexmate/profesiones/lex012.htm).

Special interest groups recognised by the member organisation

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    Aquatics

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events

http://apfpr.com

Ofiicial 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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Bahamas

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

30 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.71 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

87% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

91% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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 direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Barbados

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

70 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

2.27 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

83% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

83% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Bermuda

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

36 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

8.81 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

86% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

82% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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 World Physiotherapy member organisation specific standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Canada

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

11,937 (>10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

7.2 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

68% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

72% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Masters degree

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

1.93 (1-5)

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?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Dominican Republic

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

96 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.76 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

76% (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?

0.89 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

el Ministerio de Salud Publica (Other)

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 direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Guyana

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

66 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.89 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

82% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

81% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

6.18 (5-10)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Allied Health and Professionals Council (Other)

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 direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Haiti

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

7 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.04 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

71% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

60% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.43 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

No

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Not defined

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Jamaica

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

85 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.84 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

71% (60-80%)

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?

1.77 (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 World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Panama

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

113 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

4.31 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

78% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

53% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

5.67 (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?

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

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Puerto Rico

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

307 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

2.22 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

63% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

66% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Professional doctorate

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

1.55 (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 direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

St Lucia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

13 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.72 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

85% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

92% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Suriname

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

38 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.38 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

76% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

84% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

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

8.09 (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?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

No

Trinidad and Tobago

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

50 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.59 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

68% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

65% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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, More than one

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

United States

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

65,817 (>10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

6.89 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

56% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

68% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Professional doctorate

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

4.1 (1-5)

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 World Physiotherapy member organisation specific standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

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