Creation of the Physiotherapy Professional Specialities Board
1st stage - Documentary analysis and recommendations
The Installing Committee of the Order of Physiotherapists felt that, given the importance for the development of the profession of creating specialities, as provided for in its Statute, it would be a priority to begin studying their implementation.
On his initiative, a meeting of the Order's Installing Committee took place on 3 November 2020 with the National Board of the Portuguese Association of Physiotherapists and the boards of its Interest Groups, in which the individual participation of elements interested in collaborating with CI in the process of reflection on specialisations and in the preparation of the process of creating specialty colleges was requested.
The Working Group, made up of the members who volunteered, met for the first time on 7 January 2021 and drew up a documentary analysis of the specialisation process for the physiotherapy profession, the final report of which was sent to the Installation Commission on 6 December 2021.
The information received was assessed by the Board of the Order of Physiotherapists, which decided that it should be presented as the first study document in the preparatory work aimed at drawing up the proposal to create a framework of professional physiotherapy specialities to be presented by the Board of the Order of Physiotherapists, in accordance with article 26 j) of the Order's Statutes.
Read "Recommendation on the Specialisation Process for the Physiotherapist Profession".
2nd stage - External input on the topics presented by the Order of Physiotherapists
With the aim of collecting, measuring and analysing a regular model of inputs Six areas were qualitatively analysed in order to define and operationalise the specialisation process:
- Assessing perceptions of the concept of speciality - attitudes
- Requirements for obtaining the title of specialist
- Competence profile specific to the speciality
- Process for awarding the title
- Maintenance/renewal of the title of specialist
- Increased competences / failure to justify the title of specialist
To this end, they were consulted:
1) Individuals who have used a physiotherapy service in the last 12 months;
2) Physiotherapists practising in mainland Portugal;
3) Specialist and non-specialist doctors practising in mainland Portugal;
4) Private and Public Health Institutions;
5) Patients' associations that provide physiotherapy services;
6) Decision-making bodies of health subsystems/insurers;
7) Higher education institutions accredited by the Order of Physiotherapists
The Board of the Order of Physiotherapists argues that the results presented in the document should be taken into account in this process as specific interpretations by different players in the physiotherapy ecosystem, consisting of inputs external of those who, with physiotherapy, team up or are users/payers of services.
Read "Study Report for the Creation of Specialities"
Read "Executive Summary"
Stage 3 - Internal input on the topics presented by the Order of Physiotherapists
In order to complement the previous stages (see 1st and 2nd stages) and strengthen the process, in 2023 the Order of Physiotherapists created several Working Groups made up of Physiotherapists with a recognised professional profile, corresponding to different areas of intervention in Physiotherapy, in order to consider different perspectives in the constitution of Physiotherapy specialities for the profession of Physiotherapist in Portugal.
To this end, the aforementioned Working Groups were consulted and the results and interpretation of this consultation are set out in a report which, together with the documentation already produced by the Order of Physiotherapists on this subject, constitutes a contribution to the process of creating the framework of specialities.
To finalise this stage, we present aggregating document with a presentation and general discussion on all the stages of this process, and also a summary table with the criteria and measures to be observed for the operationalisation of the areas of speciality in physiotherapy, approved in general at the General Council meeting on 20/06/2024.
Stage 4 - Drawing up and public discussion of the Specialities Framework Proposal
Following on from the previous phases and after the approval of the eligibility criteria for the speciality areas had been completed, the Board drew up a proposal for the creation of the Physiotherapy professional specialities framework with the support of the thematic Working Groups and the intervention of a confirmation panel. This process identified the areas that, at this stage, already met all the necessary conditions for implementation.
On 26 September 2024, this proposal was submitted to the General Council, which decided to send it out for public consultation, allowing the direct involvement of all members of the Order and the collection of contributions from potential stakeholders.
In addition, as a complement to the proposal for the General Regulations for Professional Specialities, the Regulations for the Accreditation of Training Activities and the Regulations for the Accreditation of Continuing Professional Development Activities are also out for public consultation. These regulations aim to ensure that a seal of quality is awarded to training processes that meet the necessary requirements and to guarantee that the continuous development of physiotherapists is duly credited and valued in their professional career.
At the end of the public consultation phase, the contributions were analysed and the proposals were revised and submitted to the General Council for preliminary approval. After this stage, the proposals were analysed and a binding opinion issued by the Supervisory Board. Finally, the revised proposals were approved in their final version by the General Council on 20 February 2025, allowing them to be sent for approval by the Ministry of Health.
Stage 5 - Homologation by the member of the government responsible for the health area
The General Regulations for Professional Specialities were approved by the Ministry of Health on 6 March 2025.
It was published in the Official Gazette on 15 March 2025, making it officially effective.
The regulations are available here.
Stage 6 - Computerised administrative support system
Definition of the requirements to be met by the IT system providing administrative support for the process of applying for, registering and issuing the title of specialist, with a view to operationalising the different stages of the procedure.
Stage 7 - Creation of the installation committees of the speciality colleges (still ongoing)
Whenever a professional speciality college is formed, the Board of Directors appoints an installation committee made up of a president, a secretary and three members, with a deadline to draw up a proposal for the conditions of access and internal and electoral regulations to be submitted to the General Council for approval.
Stage 8 - The speciality colleges come into operation
Each professional speciality college is headed by a speciality council, made up of a president, a secretary and three members elected for four years by the members of the respective speciality, in accordance with its own regulations approved by the Board of Directors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
1) What is the Physiotherapy specialisation?
A specialisation specialisation is a continuous process of individual and collective professional development that allows physiotherapists to acquire advanced and specific skills in certain areas of clinical practice. At the level of the profession, specialisation is a natural evolution of practice, as knowledge and experience in the field expand. On an individual level, specialisation is the result of continuous evolution throughout a physiotherapist's career, allowing them to face more complex situations in specific areas.
2 What is the difference between specialisation and specialty?
Although often used interchangeably, the specialisation refers to the process of developing advanced skills, while the speciality refers to the formal recognition of these competences by the profession's regulatory body. To obtain the title of specialistAs a physiotherapist, you need to go through a specialisation process that proves that you have acquired knowledge, skills and experience.
3 But there are several organisations that award specialist titles. Doesn't that add to the confusion?
Yes, there are a variety of entities, in different contexts, that can issue the "title of specialist" or use the term "speciality" and/or "specialisation". This can lead to confusion, as the same professional can present themselves publicly using different titles, depending on the categories they legally hold. Let's look at some examples:
- In career of Senior Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technician (Decree-Law no. 111/2017 of 31 August and Decree-Law no. 110/2017 of 31 August), there are categories that include the designation "specialist".
- In academic career in polytechnic educationThere is also the possibility of obtaining the "title of specialist" (Decree-Law no. 206/2009 of 31 August).
- No higher education degrees and diplomas system (Decree-Law no. 74/2006, of 24 March), there is reference to "specialisation courses" and the term "speciality" is clearly used when defining the specific areas of master's degrees and doctorates.
For example, a physiotherapist can be Principal Expert on TSDT careerhave completed a Master's degree in Physiotherapy in the area of specialisation Xand also hold the title of specialist in Physiotherapy from the Polytechnic Institutes of Z, W and Kand, finally, to be awarded the title of specialist in QQQQ by Order of Physiotherapists.
It is therefore important to clarify that title of specialist, by the Order of Physiotherapists, refers exclusively to formal recognition in the specific clinical area of Physiotherapy, after fulfilling the criteria defined for each speciality.
4) What areas of specialisation are recognised by the Order of Physiotherapists?
The Order of Physiotherapists currently recognises the following areas of expertise:
- Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Neurological Physiotherapy
The creation of new areas of speciality will be possible as long as the conditions and criteria for these areas are met, and the regulation is prepared to allow for this expansion.
5. What are the requirements for obtaining the title of specialist?
For a Physiotherapist to apply for the title of specialist, they must fulfil the following minimum requirements:
- Have more than 10 years of professional experience as a physiotherapist.
- Have, at least, 3 years of practical experience in the area or context related to the speciality for which you are applying.
- Proof of more advanced academic or professional training obtained after initial training.
- To be recognised for your competence, experience and ability to lead in the development of the profession.
6) How is the application process for the title of specialist organised?
The application process for the title of specialist is divided into three stages:
- Phase 1Initial assessment of clinical experience, academic training and scientific promotion activities. The candidate must achieve a minimum score in three dimensions: clinical experience, academic training and scientific promotion activities.
- Phase 2: Attended and passed a Deontology seminar organised by the Order of Physiotherapists.
- Phase 3The candidate will be subjected to public tests, in which they will be assessed on their curriculum profile and theoretical and practical knowledge in the area of speciality.
7. Does the title of specialist have unlimited validity?
No, the title of specialist has an expiry date of 7 years. After this period, the specialist must renew their title, which involves a process of continually updating and demonstrating their competences. Renewing the title of specialist is a commitment to the continuous development of the profession.
8. When can I apply?
The process of setting up the installation committees for the speciality colleges is currently underway.
Applying for the title of specialist will be a later stage in the process of implementing professional specialities, to be announced in due course by the Order of Physiotherapists.
The process of setting up committees, on the other hand, is aimed at identifying members with the availability and appropriate profile to join these structures, under the terms defined by the Board of Directors.
9. What is the composition of the installation committees of the speciality colleges?
Each installation committee is made up of five members: a chairman, a secretary and three other members.
10. Who appoints the installation committees?
The members of the installation committees will be appointed by the Board of the Order, from among personalities who meet the dimensions and criteria laid down for holders of the title of specialist.
In order to confirm that the dimensions and criteria laid down have been met, the Board of Directors will request the relevant opinion from the Technical Admissions Committee.
11. Why does the Board open an application period for the positions of the installation committees?
In addition to being historic, the mission of the installation committees is highly relevant and demanding, requiring motivation and availability on the part of those involved.
In this context, without abdicating responsibility for the final decision, the Board believes that the appointment should fall to competent professionals who, in an open manner, take the initiative to express this availability and motivation, avoiding the choice being restricted to a limited group of individuals closest to the Board itself.
As the application process is not a regulatory requirement, the Board of Directors may consider, if justified, the use of direct invitations to relevant personalities.
12. Who can apply to join the installation committee of the speciality colleges?
Active members of the Order who fulfil all of the following conditions may stand for the positions of president, secretary or member:
- more than 10 years' professional experience as a physiotherapist;
- at least 3 years of professional experience, duly documented, in the area of speciality to which they are applying.
Candidates must also submit a curriculum vitae that demonstrates that they possess the transversal and specific competences for the corresponding area of specialisation, set out in Annexes III and IV of the General Regulations for Professional Specialities, and that guarantees possession of the dimensions and criteria for Stage 1, set out in Article 9 of the same regulations, set out in Annex I.
13. On what basis will the CVs of the candidates for the positions on the installation committees be analysed?
The curricular analysis will focus on the area of specialisation and will cover the following dimensions, as set out in Annex I of the General Regulations for Professional Specialities:
- a) clinical experience;
- b) academic and professional training obtained after initial training;
- c) teaching and/or scientific and technical promotion and dissemination activities;
- d) management and coordination activities.
Overall professional experience will also be taken into account, namely having worked as a physiotherapist for more than 10 years.
14. Can the same person stand for several positions on a given installation committee or can they only stand for one of them?
Yes. The application process requires you to indicate the position you are applying for, but allows you to tick several possible positions at the same time. The same person can apply for several positions, depending on their availability and interest.
The platform is set up so that, after submitting an application for a position, if the person applies for another position on the same committee, it can automatically import the information already entered, avoiding duplication of procedures.
15. Does whoever is appointed to the installation commission automatically get the title of specialist?
No. According to the General Regulations for Professional Specialities, this is not possible.
As the installation committees are responsible for proposing the award of the title to the first specialists, the members appointed to these committees are recognised by the Board of Directors, with the support of the Technical Admissions Committee, as having the criteria and competences inherent to specialists. But this recognition does not in itself confer the title of specialist.
In order to obtain the title of specialist, members of the installation committees must formalise the application provided for this purpose and are exempt from taking the exams. However, in accordance with the provisions of the General Regulations for Professional Specialities, the title of specialist held by members of the installation committee depends on:
- proof of successful completion of the Deontology seminar organised by the Bar Association;
- of a favourable decision by the specialty college, to take place at the first meeting of the respective specialty college.
In summary, the members of the installation committees are recognised by the Board of Directors as having the conditions to be a specialist, and may apply for the respective title, without taking tests, only requiring approval by a majority vote of the specialty college, to be taken at the first meeting of the respective specialty college.
In this way, although they don't have to take tests like all the other members, the members of the installation committees see their merit validated by their peers, reinforcing the transparency and legitimacy of the process.
16. What are the prospects for creating new specialities?
The creation of new speciality areas depends on careful analysis and validation of the criteria set out in the regulation. For an area to become a formally recognised specialty, it must meet requirements such as being covered in initial training (Bachelor's or Master's degree) and having structured clinical education in that area. The Order is committed to evaluating and expanding areas of specialisation as the profession evolves and new needs arise.
17. What alternatives are there for areas that don't evolve into specialities?
For those areas that do not qualify to become specialities, the Order of Physiotherapists will promote an alternative certification system for increased competences. This system will recognise the advanced professional development of Physiotherapists in specific areas, without the need to formalise a specialty. Thematic Working Groups will continue to exist to support the recognition of these additional competences.
18. What is the accreditation process for training activities?
O accreditation process aims to assess and certify that continuing training activities fulfil the necessary requirements for the development of physiotherapists' professional practice. The accreditation is the process of assigning continuing professional development credits (CPS) to the training activities carried out, such as seminars, congresses, workshops and other educational activities.
19. How will the computerised administrative support system work?
The Order has a computerised administrative support system designed to support the various stages of the specialisation process, from application to the issue of the specialist title. This system will enable the management of applications, the accreditation of training activities and the recording of physiotherapists' continuous professional development, making it easier for members to access and monitor the processes.