General
What is required for registration?
It is recommended, but not required, that candidates complete credentialing with the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators and have an anticipated exam date. The only requirement for registration is the payment of the registration fee.
How do the Zoom Sessions Work?
Some Physio Refresh events (Written Workshop, Capstone Tutorial and Transition to Practice Workshops) are conducted ‘live’ on Zoom. You will be provided with Zoom links for the workshops – a strong internet connection, webcam, and microphone are required. Physio Refresh tutors and facilitators are highly adept at engaging in group discussions on Zoom, and the sessions are a great opportunity to ask questions, discuss study strategies, etc.
What if I have questions about the material I’m studying?
There are several options available: you can ask your peers in the program on the discussion forum, reach out to the Physio Refresh program team, or ask a tutor during the live events.
Are there financial aid options for paying the program fees?
Physio Refresh does not offer financial assistance for paying program fees; however, past registrants have found assistance through services such as WorkBC and Skills Connect Canada.
Back in Motion’s Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants offers support and financial support to eligible candidates visit Back in Motion to learn more.
Health Match BC (HMBC), in partnership with the BC Ministry of Health and the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators, will support eligible Internationally Educated Physiotherapists who want to work in BC by offering financial support to help pay for costs associated with credential assessment, English language proficiency testing, exam preparation, and bridging education. Please visit the HMBC website to learn more.
There may be additional options in your province.
Do I have to be a Canadian resident? Do I need a Visa?
Physio Refresh registrants do not need to live in Canada and do not require a Canadian student or work Visa. However, Practical Program registrants must be in Vancouver on the dates of the three program in-person events.
Who do I contact with more questions?
Contact the Physio Refresh team at physio.refresh@ubc.ca
Written Program
When should I register?
You can register at any time and begin your program as early as six months ahead of your national exam date, up to one month ahead of your national exam date. Register when you feel it will work best for your personal study plan. Physio Refresh will provide a customized recommended study schedule based on the time remaining before your written national exam date.
How often are there classes/sessions?
The majority of the Physio Refresh program is self-directed, meaning that registrants work through the online materials at their own pace, without a program instructor or facilitator. There are two scheduled events delivered via Zoom: the Written Tutorial Workshop, and the Capstone Tutorial. Participants will be notified of upcoming Written Tutorial Workshops and will have an opportunity to select their sessions, when possible.
Why does the program end on the same day as the national exam?
Your access to the online content remains open until the national exam date – if you need to review material the night before the exam, you can still access all of the online content.
What if I don’t live near Vancouver, British Columbia?
With internet access, you can participate in the Physio Refresh Written Program from any location.
Practical Program
When should I register?
You can register at any time and begin your program as early as six months ahead of your exam date. The Physio Refresh Practical Program was designed to be completed in the three (3) months prior to taking the ACE BC exam, but some people choose to take an earlier program so that they have more time to study on their own before taking the national exam. Register when you feel it will work best for your personal study plan.
How often are there classes/sessions?
There are three in-person events in the Physio Refresh Practical Program which must be attended in Vancouver, BC: the Baseline OSCE (start of the program), the Clinical Lab Weekend (approximately one month into the program), and the Final OSCE (second month of the program). Additionally, there are two synchronous online Transition to Practice Workshops, which are delivered via Zoom. The remaining Practical Program content is online for registrants to work through at their own pace.
How long is each program event?
The Baseline OSCE and Final OSCE are each approximately 4.5 hours long (i.e., a half day). The Clinical Lab Weekend is a two-day event, approximately 9 hours each day. All events take place on either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Registrants are assigned to their event sessions by the Physio Refresh Program Operations Manager. The two virtual Transition to Practice workshops are each 1.5 hours long.
What if I need to book flights, can I find out what time the events are happening as soon as I register?
Please contact the Physio Refresh Program Operations Manager (physio.refresh@ubc.ca) to confirm your event time and date, so that you are able to make your travel plans.