All physical therapy clinical placements within BC are coordinated through the UBC Department of Physical Therapy and require student registration with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC), formerly the College of Physical Therapists of BC (CPTBC). The College confirms dates and sites for approval with UBC prior to issuing mandatory student licenses.
UBC does not support requests for shadow or observational placements for students from outside of BC or from international settings. UBC can only support non-UBC student placements for students currently enrolled in a recognized physical therapy degree program. As a mandate for student licensure, all international schools must be recognize by World Physiotherapy. UBC is unable to seek placements for International students at schools not recognized by World Physiotherapy. To confirm whether a program is recognized, please contact the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC directly.
Please click the below headings for more information on how students can apply for a placement in BC from out-of-province, or from international, programs.
Students currently enrolled in physical therapy programs at other Canadian universities may request clinical placements in British Columbia through the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education at their home universities. Placement requests from non-UBC students submitted directly by students or via clinical settings will not be considered.
The provincial and national requirements for administration of out-of-province placements are complex, requiring for example, health and safety forms, workplace and malpractice insurance, and registration with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
Students who submit a placement request and decline a match that suits their requested parameters will not be considered for future requests.
The Department is preparing for a process update for international placements in January 2026. We are not collecting any additional applications before January 2026. Please check back on our website for updates.
Submission already made for the 2026 cycle will continue to be processed as we prepare for a process update.