The document outlines the qualifications, responsibilities, and legal requirements for physiotherapists as established by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act of 2021. It details the educational framework, fiscal and communication responsibilities, and legal compliance necessary for professional practice in physiotherapy. Additionally, it describes the necessary competencies and qualifications for various academic ranks within the field.

1. Professional Competencies
Prof. (Dr.) Asir John Samuel, PhD
(Physiotherapy), MPT (Neurosciences and Paediatric
Neurology), BPT, BSc (Psychology), DYScEd, MAc,
PGDBEME,
Additional Professor Cum Vice Principal,
Yenepoya Physiotherapy College, Mangalore

2. Act
• THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR ALLIED AND
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONS ACT, 2021
• 28th
March, 2021
• MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
• (Legislative Department)

3. NCAHCPA, 2021
• Physiotherapy Professional is a person who practices
physiotherapy by undertaking comprehensive
examination and
• appropriate investigation, provides treatment and advice
to any persons preparatory to or for the purpose of or
• in connection with movement or functional dysfunction,
malfunction, disorder, disability, healing and pain from
trauma and disease,

4. NCAHCPA, 2021
• using physical modalities including exercise, mobilization,
manipulations, electrical and thermal agents and
• other electro therapeutics for prevention, screening,
diagnosis, treatment, health promotion and fitness
• The physiotherapist can practice independently or as a
part of a multi-disciplinary team and has a minimum
qualification of a baccalaureate degree

5. Qualifications
• Physiotherapist or other professional who studies,
advises, researches, supervises or provides preventive,
curative, rehabilitative, therapeutic or promotional
health services
• Who has obtained any qualification of degree under this
Act, the duration of which shall not be less than three
thousand six hundred (3600) hours spread over a period
of three years to six years divided into specific semester

6. UGC – Assistant Professor
• Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy (B.P./T./B.
Th./P./B.P.Th.), & Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy
(M.&P.Th/M.Th.P./M.Sc. P.T/M.P.T.) with at least 55% marks
(or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever the
grading system is followed) from a recognized University

7. UGC – Associate Professor
• Essential: A Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy
(M.P.T./M.P.Th./M.Th.P/M.Sc. P.T.) with eight years’
experience as Assistant Professor
• Desirable: Higher Qualification, such as Ph.D. degree
in any discipline of Physiotherapy recognised by the
U.G.C, and published work of high standard in peer-
reviewed or UGC - listed journals

8. UGC- Professor
• Essential: A Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy
(M.P.T./M.P.Th./M.Th.P/M.Sc. P.T.) with ten year teaching
experience
• Mandatory: Higher Qualification, such as Ph.D. degree in
any discipline of Physiotherapy recognised by the U.G.C,
and published work of high standard in peer-reviewed or
UGC - listed journals

15. Fiscal responsibilities
• Director/manger of the physical therapy service, in
consultation with physiotherapy staff and
appropriate administrative personnel, participates
in planning for and allocation of resources
• Fiscal planning and management of the service is
based on sound accounting principles

16. Fiscal responsibilities
• Fiscal management plan includes,
• Budget that provides for optimal use of resources
• Ensures accurate recording and reporting of
financial information
• Ensures compliance with legal requirements

17. Fiscal responsibilities
• Allows for cost-effective utilization of resources
• Uses a fee schedule that is consistent with the cost
of physical therapy services and that is within
customary norms of reason and fairness
• Considers the option of providing pro bono services

18. Communication responsibilities
• Communication links exist between staff, the
director/manager of the service, and the
organisation to optimise the quality of the
patient/client services provided

19. Communication responsibilities
• The physiotherapy director/manager ensures the
appropriate communication and availability of service
specific and organisational policies, procedures and
documents including
• Job/position description and a formal appraisal system
• Annual report
• Objectives of the organisation and an organisation chart

20. Legal responsibilities
• Physiotherapist complies with all the laws and legal
requirements of the jurisdiction in which they practice
and the body which regulates the practice of
physiotherapy
• Physiotherapist possesses a license to practice that is
granted for the legislative jurisdiction in which the
physiotherapist practices

21. Legal responsibilities
• Physiotherapist shall not release patient
information to a third party without consent of the
patient/client or legal authorisation
• Physiotherapist with first-hand knowledge shall
report violations by physiotherapy personnel of
laws and legal requirements of the jurisdiction

22. Physiotherapist Education Framework

23. Educational Framework- Domain
• Knowledge
• Skill
• Attitude

24. Physiotherapy process

25. Physiotherapist practice
competence- Domain

26. Entry level professional- Academic

27. Physiotherapy Continuing
professional development

33. Patient/caregiver
satisfaction survey following
physiotherapy interventions
Dr. Asir John Samuel, PhD (Physiotherapy), MPT (Neurosciences and Paediatric Neurology), BPT, BSc (Psychology), DYScEd, MAc,
(PGDBEME),
Additional Professor,
Yenepoya Physiotherapy College
Yenepoya (Deemed to be University),
Mangalore, Karnataka