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The data has been provided by the Member Organisation and to the extent possible are a true reflection of the situation in the country, however not all figures are authoritative and should be interpreted accordingly.
For questions or feedback please contact info@erwcpt.eu
General View
Country Profile
Education
Profession & Practice
CPD & Specialisation
Migration & Mobility
Address
1 Gurguliat Street,
1000 Sofia
Telefon
+359 892 299 772
Website
Social media:
Number of Members:
250
Europe Region Primary Contact
President / Chair
CEO / General Secretary
Borislav Chongov / info@bgapt.org
Borislav Chongov / borislav.chongov@nsa.bg
Denitsa Vasileva denivasileva1988@gmail.com
6 792 515
Population
3500
Practising Physiotherapists
250
Physiotherapists' Members
Publications
Newsletters
Journals
Scientific Publications
Events
Organisation Congress
Other events
Continuous professional development courses; Voluntary physiotherapy services in national and international sports events.
Entry Level Educational programmes: Those programmes that prepares graduates for entry into practice of physiotherapy. They bring a person to the point of being able to practice as a physiotherapist in the country of education. Entry requirements, length of the education programmes and the final qualification obtained may vary within and across countries.
World Physiotherapy definition: “Entry level physical therapist professional education programmes are those that equip physical therapists to practise as independent professionals. World Physiotherapy recommends that education for entry-level physical therapists should be based on university or university-level studies of a minimum of four years, independently validated and accredited as being at a standard that affords graduates full statutory and professional recognition.”
In some countries it could be a difference between education itself and access to the profession such as possible legal requirements to practice – i.e. registration or training period.
Bachelor Master and Doctoral degree
12
School years needed before entering the Physiotherapy Programme
4.0
Years of the Physiotherapy Education Programme
240
ECTS
1st-2nd-3rd
Correspondent Bologna Cycle
Level 6
Level 6
Level 6
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level
European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level
International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED)
Professional Title
English title
National language titles
Physiotherapist
Рехабилитатор / кинезитерапевт
Practice and Regulation
Professional Autonomy
Standards of practice
Yes
Code of conduct
Yes
Registration required to practice
No
Re-registration required
No
Re-registration frequency
CPD required for re-registration
No
Permitted to Assess?
No
Permitted to Diagnose?
No
Permitted to Treat?
Yes
Permitted to Refer on to other specialities/services?
No
Permitted to Refer on to other tests or examinations (MRI, Radiography, US)?
No
Access to Physiotherapy
Access to physiotherapy: Ability of a client or patient to be referred to a physiotherapist for assessment and treatment. There are different types:
1. Direct access: The patient/client directly asks the physiotherapist to provide services (The patients refer themselves). The physiotherapist freely decides his conduct and takes full responsibility for it. Also when the physiotherapist has direct access to patients/clients and determines those that need a physiotherapy assessment/intervention without referral from a third party.
2. Access by referral: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional (medical practitioner or other).
3. Access by referral with the freedom to decide intervention: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional. The prescription will not indicate the technical modalities used in the intervention.
4. Access by referral with an imposed programme of intervention: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional. The prescription will include the diagnosis, and will further specify the intervention modalities to be carried out by the physiotherapist. The prescription may also include the number of sessions and their frequency.
Can service users refer/seek directly asks the physiotherapist to provide services (assessment, intervention or treatment)?
No
Is Self-referral allowed or possible within the national health system?
No
Is Self-referral allowed or possible outside the national health system?
No
In the case a medical/ physician referral is needed, are there limitations?
Yes
Do the expected competencies of graduates from entry-level physical therapy programmes prepare them to accept self-referrals on qualification?
No
Clarifications:
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Continuing professional development (CPD): Is a systematic, ongoing structured process of maintaining, developing and enhancing skills, knowledge and competence both professionally and personally. The aim is to develop the clinical performance at work. The individual physiotherapist undertakes her/his CPD activity systematically keeping a record of her/his clinical reflection and learning. This process strengthens the personal and professional profile along with quality service to the patient/clients
CPD in the country is:
Voluntary
CPD is monitored by:
Self monitored
What is the CPD approach in the country?
More information on what is recorded
Does the MO offer advice on career pathways to its members?
No
Is this advice in relation to:
Further information on the advise the MO provides
Does the MO offer CPD courses to its members?
No
Courses are to
Does the MO survey their members about CPD?
No
Who is financing or otherwise supporting CPD?
Self/ Employer
Other - Responsible for financing
Who provides the MOST financial support
Clarifications:
Clinical Specialisation
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised?
No
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised by
Recognised clinical specialisations
Clarifications:
Permanent Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in Bulgaria on a permanent basis, you must submit the following documents:
- proof of identity (copy of passport or identity card)
- proof of any change of name
- copy of your qualification, certificate or other proof of professional entitlement to work as a physiotherapist, and the relevant annexes
- certificate (less than 3 months old) of current professional status/good standing, from the relevant health authorities in your most recent country of work and residence, confirming that you:
— are legally entitled to work as a physiotherapist
— have not been suspended, disqualified or prohibited from practising
- evidence of good repute: criminal record check or extract from "judicial record" from your home country, or the country where you were last living (less than 3 months old)
- medical certificate demonstrating fitness to practise physiotherapy (less than 3 months old).
Certificates issued by doctors from any EU country - or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland - are accepted
- academic transcript and/or study plan/curriculum
- if physiotherapy is NOT a regulated profession in your home country, proof that you have worked as a physiotherapist for at least 2 years in the last 10
- proof you have paid the state fee.
If the documents you submit are copies, they must be certified — by the relevant authorities in your home country, the Bulgarian consulate or your home country's consulate in Bulgaria.
All documents — except your identity card/passport and the copy of your qualification certificate — must be in Bulgarian.
You can submit documents in other languages, but each must be accompanied by a certified translation, provided by an officially recognised translator in Bulgaria or any other EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.You may be able to find an officially recognised translator by contacting the relevant national translation body.
Responsible authority:
Министър на здравеопазването на Република България
Ministry of Health
Площад "Св. Неделя" № 5
1000 СофияTel.: +359/2 9301 463
When can you expect an answer:
Once you have sent your documents, the authorities have:
1 month — from the time they receive your application — to acknowledge receipt and ask you for any other documents they require
3 months to take a decision, after receiving all the necessary documents.
Cost:
LEV 260 (about €130) — to be paid when submitting your application (enclose proof of payment with your application).
Temporary Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in Bulgaria on a temporary basis you must submit the following documents:
- written declaration describing valid insurance against potential damages arising from your failure to fulfil your professional obligations
- proof of identity (copy of passport or identity card)
- proof of any change of name
- certificate (less than 3 months old) of current professional status/good standing from the relevant health authorities in your most recent country of work and residence, confirming that:
— you are legally entitled to work as a physiotherapist
— you have not been suspended, disqualified or prohibited from practising
- copy of your qualification, certificate or other proof of professional entitlement to work as a physiotherapist, and the relevant annexes
- if physiotherapy is NOT a regulated profession in your home country, proof that you have worked as a physiotherapist for at least 2 years in the last 10.
If the documents you submit are copies, they must be certified – by the relevant authorities in your home country, the Bulgarian consulate or your home country's consulate in Bulgaria.
All documents — except your identity card/passport and the copy of your qualification certificate — must be in Bulgarian.
You can submit documents in other languages, but each must be accompanied by a certified translation, provided by an officially recognised translator in Bulgaria or any other EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.You may be able to find an officially recognised translator by contacting the relevant national translation body.
Responsible authority:
Министър на здравеопазването на Република България
Ministry of Health
Площад "Св. Неделя" № 5
1000 СофияTel.: +359/2 9301 463
When can you expect an answer:
Once you have sent your documents, the authorities have:
1 month to acknowledge receipt of your application and request any more documents they need.
3 months to take a decision, after receiving all the necessary documents.
Cost:
LEV 260 (about €130) — to be paid when submitting your application (enclose proof of payment with your application).
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