The Saudi
Subgroups
The Saudi
World Physiotherapy member since
2003
Year members reported
2019
Number of physiotherapist members
380
Contact details
[email protected]
(966) 1 446 4426
Key contacts
Mohammed Alsubaie
Primary contact
[email protected]Ali Albarrati
President
[email protected]
Saudi Arabia: a profile of the profession in 2019
Download profile
Data disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2019Professional titles protected by law
العلاج الطبيعي
العلاج الطبيعي
Physiotherapy
About Saudi Physical Therapy Association and the physiotherapy profession in Saudi Arabia
Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory
5,000
1.48
Per 10,000 population
% female
In this country/territory
49%
In this region
66%
Globally
Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)
380
% female
In this MO
47%
In MOs in this region
58%
In MOs globally
Physiotherapy professional entry level education
Minimum qualification required to practice
Bachelors degree
Equivalent fulltime years
5
Number of programmes
20
Entry level physiotherapy education programmes
https://ksu.edu.sa/ar/colleges
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
Physiotherapists must be licensed by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialities: https://www.scfhs.org.sa/en/registration/Regulation/Pages/Specialists-Professional-Classification.aspx
Practice
Which authority defines scope of practice
Ministry of Health or another government department
Standards of practice
The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Education for autonomous practice
All programmes
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?
In full
Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?
Limitations
Special interest groups recognised by the member organisation
Cardiorespiratory physical therapy
Orthopaedics/manual therapy
Older people
Pain
Paediatrics
Sports physical therapy
Womens health
Management/administration
Neurology
Private practitioners
Policy
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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