Over 4,640 apply for physio and physical therapist registration

“This figure includes 270 physical therapists who applied on the basis of IPTAS qualifications and approximately 35 physical therapists who applied on the basis of other qualifications.”

The spokesperson was commenting before the closing date for receipt of applications from physical therapists under transition/grandparenting provisions, which falls tomorrow (20 December 2018). The standard route for physical therapists closes on 31 December 2019.

The two-year grandparenting period for physiotherapists closed on 30 September 2018. This period was opened in September 2016 for physiotherapists to apply to the register. However, the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, which fully supports statutory registration, initially advised members not to register until there was complete assurance that the title of ‘physical therapist’ would also be protected. This was guaranteed by a legislative amendment that commenced in December 2017.

Throughout this year, CORU and the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, have been urging physiotherapists to submit their registration as soon as possible in advance of the deadline. Since the passing of the deadline, ‘physiotherapist’ is now a protected title.

CORU’s spokesperson commented: “There was a significant surge in the rate of applications in the three-month period leading up to 30 September 2018 and almost 2,000 applications were received during this final three-month period. A total of 236 applications were received in the first 15 months of the 24-month grandparenting period. If applicants submitted their applications earlier in the grandparenting period, a much greater proportion would now be registered,” said CORU’s spokesperson.

“1,579 applicants have already been registered and a similar number of applications are well advanced in the registration process. CORU has prioritised the registration of applications (under section 38 of the Act) from those who needed evidence of registration in order to remain in employment.

“As many applications are from private practitioners where a significant amount of additional documentation is required by the Physiotherapists Registration Board, this has significantly increased the processing time. Almost all of the remaining applications have been submitted by those in employment under transition/grandparenting provisions (section 91 of the Act). These applicants can continue in employment whilst a decision on their application is pending.”