Asia Western Pacific region
Asia Western Pacific region has physiotherapy associations from 29 countries/territories
The Korean
Subgroups
The Korean
Year established
1966
World Physiotherapy member since
1974
Year members reported
2019
Number of physiotherapist members
24,872
Contact details
[email protected]
(82) 2 598 6587
Key contacts
Wootaek Lim
Primary contact
[email protected]Genhee Lee
President
[email protected]
Korea (Republic of): a profile of the profession in 2019
Download profile
Data disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2019Professional titles protected by law
물리치료사
About Korean Physical Therapy Association and the physiotherapy profession in Korea (Republic of)
Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory
38,015 (estimated)
7.36
Per 10,000 population
% female
60%
In this country/territory
49%
In this region
66%
Globally
Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)
24,872
% female
60%
In this MO
47%
In MOs in this region
58%
In MOs globally
Physiotherapy professional entry level education
Minimum qualification required to practice
Diploma
Equivalent fulltime years
3
Number of programmes
85
Entry level physiotherapy education programmes
Please contact the Korean Physical Therapy Association for details of entry level education programmes in the Republic of Korea
Regulation
* = Continuing Professional Development
Registration required to practice
CPD* required for re-registration
CPD* required for membership
The system of regulation in the country/territory
The law governing the regulation of physical therapists in Korea may be found at: http://www.law.go.kr/LSW/eng/engLsSc.do?menuId=1&query=의료기사&x=0&y=0#AJAX
Practice
Which authority defines scope of practice
Ministry of Health or another government department
Standards of practice
Education for autonomous practice
Legislation to prevent private practice
Physiotherapists are permitted to
Act as first contact/autonomous practitioners
Assess patients/clients
Make a diagnosis
Offer preventative advice/services
Refer to other specialists/services
Treat (interventions, advice and evaluation of outcome)
Direct access
*Direct access means a person can refer themselves to a physiotherapist without referral from another health professional
Direct access* permitted?
Can people self refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Will this be reimbursed?
n/a
Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?
Limitations
Special interest groups recognised by the member organisation
Acupuncture
Cardiorespiratory physical therapy
Electrophysical agents
Mental health
Orthopaedics/manual therapy
Older people
Oncology/palliative care
Paediatrics
Sports physical therapy
Womens health
Animal practice
Neurology
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events
Profile of the profession in this region
A global profile of the profession is also available.
Accessible version of data
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Afghanistan
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
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
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Australia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
>10000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
10-15
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40-60%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60-80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
5-10
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Independent
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, more than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Bangladesh
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the WCPT member organisation specific standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Bhutan
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
0
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
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
Cambodia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
<20%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
20-40%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Which authority defines scope of practice?
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
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Fiji
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
1-5
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40-60%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60-80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
5-10
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Partnership
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the WCPT standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Hong Kong
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
1000-10000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
1-5
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
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
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Indonesia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
>10000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
60-80%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60-80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Some
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Japan
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
>10000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
10-15
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
20-40%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
10-15
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the WCPT member organisation specific standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Korea (Republic of)
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
>10000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
5-10
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40-60%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
5-10
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Kuwait
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
1-5
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40-60%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60-80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, more than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Macau
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
1-5
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40-60%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
0
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Malaysia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
1000-10000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40-60%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60-80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
5-10
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Mongolia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
>80%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
>80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
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
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Myanmar
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
>80%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
>80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the WCPT standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Nepal
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
<20%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
20-40%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
New Zealand
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
1000-10000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
10-15
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
60-80%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60-80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
5-10
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Independent
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the WCPT member organisation specific standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Papua New Guinea
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40-60%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
20-40%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
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
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Philippines
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
1000-10000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
1-5
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
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 direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Saudi Arabia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
1-5
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
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
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Singapore
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
1-5
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60-80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
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
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Taiwan
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
1000-10000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
1-5
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
<20%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
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
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
United Arab Emirates
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
1-5
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
<20%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60-80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Independent
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
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