Physiotherapists in Turkey have recently attained the authority to establish private clinics under the supervision of the ministry of health. The landmark regulation was enacted on 29 March 2025 and is the first official regulation of its kind in Turkey.
Türkiye Fizyoterapistler Derneği/Turkish Physiotherapists Association, with support from World Physiotherapy, has advocated for regulation that permits physiotherapists (along with other healthcare professionals such as dietitians, occupational therapists, and clinical psychologists) to operate independently within the framework of their professional competencies. These practitioners can now establish health profession service units by obtaining a license from the ministry of health.
To ensure quality and safety, the regulation stipulates that physiotherapists can only accept and treat patients based on a physiotherapy order issued by a physician. Services provided must align strictly with the physiotherapist’s professional authority and scope of practice.
Kenan Zafer Aksungur, Türkiye Fizyoterapistler Derneği/Turkish Physiotherapists Association president, said: “This significant milestone comes 64 years after the formal establishment of the profession in 1961. It is a major step forward for physiotherapy in Turkey.
“We are grateful for the support we’ve received from the community and we remain committed, as a profession, to addressing the remaining clauses that require revision to further enhance physiotherapists’ autonomy and practice.
“We expect this regulatory change will create new employment opportunities for approximately 420,000 health workers across nine health profession groups, including physiotherapists. The change will also make health services, including physiotherapy, more widespread and accessible, which will contribute to the overall improvement of healthcare delivery and access to services for people in Turkey.”
Türkiye Fizyoterapistler Derneği/Turkish Physiotherapists Association has been a member of World Physiotherapy since 1974 and is part of the World Physiotherapy Europe region.
