PHYSIOTHERAPY IN NEW BRUNSWICK

Physiotherapy is a regulated health profession in New Brunswick. Since 1998, the College of Physiotherapists of New Brunswick (CPTNB) has been responsible for ensuring that physiotherapists in our province are qualified, competent and ethical in their approach to client care.

By ensuring that proper protections are in place, CPTNB upholds the expectations of New Brunswickers for the delivery of safe and effective physiotherapy services. We accomplish this important task by establishing and maintaining standards of competence, qualification, practice, and professional ethics that apply to all registered physiotherapists in New Brunswick.

How Can We Help You?

I am a member of the public and I would like to:

• Submit a complaint against a Physiotherapist
• Register as a Canadian-Educated Physiotherapist
• Register as an Internationally-Educated Physiotherapist
• Ask a specific question or submit a comment

I am a CPTNB registrant and I would like to:

• Renew my registration
• Check legislation or obtain practice advice
• Verify or make changes to my College record
• Request a letter from CPTNB

PCE-Clinical Component and CPTNB Practice-Based Practice Assessment

In January 2022, the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) announced the discontinuation of the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE) Clinical Component.

The CPTNB Practice-Based Assessment was finalized shortly thereafter by the Registration Committee and approved by Council as a pathway to full licensure for provisional registrants who would no longer have access to the PCE Clinical Component. This new assessment will remain in place until there is a new national entry-to-practice standard established by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR).

In the meantime, Canadian-educated applicants with proof of successful completion of the PCE may apply to CPTNB for a provisional licence. Following 12 months on the CPTNB Provisional Registry, the registrant may apply for full licensure using the CPTNB Practice-Based Assessment.

Please note: Internationally-educated applicants must first complete the credentialling process through the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) and then pass the PCE before applying to CPTNB for a provisional licence.

There is a maximum of 3 attempts to successfully complete the CPTNB Practice-Based Assessment. If you have failed the PCE Clinical Component or equivalent clinical exam on one occasion, you have two attempts to pass the CPTNB Practice-Based Assessment. If you have failed the PCE Clinical Component or equivalent clinical exam on two occasions, you have one attempt remaining to pass the CPTNB Practice-Based Assessment. If you are unsuccessful on the third attempt at the CPTNB Practice-Based Assessment, you will not be eligible for full licensure with CPTNB and you will no longer be able to work as a Physiotherapist in New Brunswick. Please review carefully the materials below and direct any questions to the Assistant Registrar at info@cptnb.ca.

CPTNB Practice-Based Assessment Details:

CPTNB File #21-01B

IN THE MATTER OF A COMPLAINT AGAINST ROBERT LANDERS, Physiotherapist

 AND IN THE MATTER OF THE PHYSIOTHERAPY ACT, SNB 2010, C. 7

SUMMARY OF DECISION OF THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE

The Registrar of the New Brunswick College of Physiotherapists hereby gives public notice of the revocation of the membership of Robert Landers, PT, as a result of a proceeding before the Discipline Committee.

FINDINGS

On March 31, 2023, the Discipline Committee conducted a hearing into a complaint against Robert Landers, PT.  The Panel made two findings of Professional Misconduct:

i.    Mr. Landers is guilty of professional misconduct as a result of his breach of section 38(1) of the Physiotherapy Act, SNB 2010, c. 7 (hereinafter the “Act”), as he engaged in an intimate relationship with the Complainant while she was a client.
ii.   Mr. Landers is guilty of professional misconduct as a result of his breach of sections 1.3, 1.4, and 1.55 of the Code of Ethics of the College of Physiotherapists of New Brunswick, in effect from 2001 to February 2018 (the “Code of Ethics”), sections A(4), A(18), and B(1) of the College of Physiotherapists of New Brunswick Code of Ethical Conduct, effective March 1, 2018 (“Code of Conduct”), and Standards 13 and 15 of the Professional Boundaries of Core Standards of Practice for Physiotherapists in Canada (“Professional Boundaries and Core Standards of Practice”), effective May 2016.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT

Mr. Landers’ professional misconduct includes sexual abuse, as defined in the Act, on multiple occasions through sexual relations, touching of a sexual nature, and his behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature towards his client.  Further, his sanctionable conduct arises from the failure to maintain professional boundaries with the Complainant, failing to conduct himself in an ethical manner, failing to end the therapeutic relationship when appropriate boundaries could not be maintained, and failing to conduct himself in a manner that promotes respect for the profession.

PENALTY

In its decision dated April 6, 2023, and delivered on April 10, 2023, the Committee ordered as follows:

a.  The Registrar is directed to revoke Mr. Landers’ Certificate of Registration, effective immediately.
b.  Landers may not apply for reinstatement of his license until five (5) years from the date of service of this Order.
c.  The Respondent is ordered to pay to the College the sum of $54,600.00 for the College’s legal costs on a solicitor and client basis and expenses, including the costs and expenses incurred in investigating the matter and conducting the hearing.
d.  The Act also allows the Committee to impose a fine of up to $20,000. While the Panel considered imposing a fine, given the seriousness of the license revocation and the order as to costs on a solicitor-client basis, the Committee determined that a fine will not be imposed in this particular circumstance.
e.  Public notice of revocation shall be made by the Registrar in accordance with the Act.

Ellen Snider, Registrar
College of Physiotherapists of New Brunswick

For information on registration or for general enquiries, please contact the Assistant Registrar at info@cptnb.ca.

For information on the complaints process, general questions regarding regulation, or physiotherapy practice advice, please contact the Registrar at registrar@cptnb.ca.

Tel : 506 849-9777