Policy statement: Protection of title

The World Confederation for

Physical therapy —services for individuals and populations to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. Physical therapy is described more comprehensively in WCPT’s Description of Physical Therapy.

The professional title and term used to describe the profession's practice varies and depends largely on the historical roots of the profession in each country. The most generally used titles and terms are 'physical therapy’, ‘physiotherapy' and ‘physical therapist’, ‘physiotherapist’.

View the full list of glossary terms

(WCPT) claims exclusivity to the professional names “physical therapy” and “physiotherapy”. It further asserts that the professional titles “physical therapist” and “physiotherapist” and all abbreviations referring to these titles (eg “PT”, “FT”, “physio”) are the sole preserve of persons who hold qualifications approved by WCPT’s member organisations and/or regulatory bodies.