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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
Borgartun 6
105 Reykjavik
Iceland
Telefon
(354) 595 5186
Website
Social media:
Number of Members:
673
Europe Region Primary Contact
President
Chief Executive Officer
Gunnlaugur Már Briem / gunnlaugur@bhm.is
Gunnlaugur Már Briem gunnlaugur@bhm.is
Fjóla Jónsdóttir / sigl@bhm.is
General Secretary
Contact for Students
Gunnlaugur Briem / gunnlaugur@bhm.is
370 000
Population
700
Practising Physiotherapists
673
Physiotherapists' Members
Publications
Newsletters
No
Journals
Sjúkraþjálfarinn
Publ. 2x a year
Scientific Publications
Events
Organisation Congress
Dagur sjúkraþjálfunar (the Physiotherapy Day) is held once a year, usually a friday in February or March.
Other 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.
MSc
15
School years needed before entering the Physiotherapy Programme
5.0
Years of the Physiotherapy Education Programme
300
ECTS
1st
Correspondent Bologna Cycle
Level 6
University Level
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
Sjúkraþjálfari (due to the language, it can also be : sjúkraþjálfara, as in our name, Félag sjúkraþjálfara).
Practice and Regulation
Professional Autonomy
Standards of practice
Yes
Code of conduct
Yes
Registration required to practice
Yes
Re-registration required
No
Re-registration frequency
CPD required for re-registration
No
Permitted to Assess?
Yes
Permitted to Diagnose?
Yes
Permitted to Treat?
Yes
Permitted to Refer on to other specialities/services?
Yes
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)?
Yes
Is Self-referral allowed or possible within the national health system?
Yes
Is Self-referral allowed or possible outside the national health system?
Yes
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:
If self-referral, it is meant for minor problems and therefore limited to 6 treatments.
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?
Yes
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?
Yes
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised by
Health Authorities
Recognised clinical specialisations
Accident and Emergency
Cardiovascular
Manual Therapy
Mental Health
Musculoskeletal
Neurology
Obstetric - Gynaecology - Urology
Older People - Geriatrics
Oncology and Palliative Care
Orthopaedics
Paediatrics
Health promotion - Prevention – Ergonomics
Respiratory
Rehabilitation
Rheumatology Traumatology SportsStroke Care
Womens Health
Clarifications:
Permanent Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in Iceland on a permanent basis, you must submit the following documents:
- completed application form at http://www.landlaeknir.is/gaedi-og-eftirlit/heilbrigdisstarfsfolk/starfsleyfi/heilbrigdisstett/item1... (in Icelandic - click Eyðublað fyrir umsókn um starfsleyfi )
- proof of your name, date of birth and nationality (e.g. certified copies of the relevant passport pages)
- proof of any change of name
- certified copy or original of qualification/certificate
- detailed transcript of your study programme from the educational institution, with details of:
a. admission requirements
b. total length of programme
c. subjects taught and lecture hours for each
d. clinical education: departments (patient categories) and number
of weeks in each
- certificate (no more 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 practice as a physiotherapist
– have not been suspended, disqualified or prohibited from practicing.
All documents - except ID card or passport - must be in Icelandic or English. You can submit documents in other languages, but each must be accompanied by a certified translation, provided by an officially recognised translator from any EU country - or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
If the documents you submit are copies, they must be certified – by the authority that issued the original document, any other relevant authority or a public notary from your home country.
You must send your application by post. We recommend you use registered post, to avoid any lost documents.
Responsible authority:
Landlæknisembættið
Directorate of Health
BarónstÃgur 47
101 ReykjavÃkTel.: +354 5101900
E-mail: mottaka@landlaeknir.is
E-mail: lisa@landlaeknir.is
When can you expect an answer:
Once you have sent your documents, the authorities have:
1 month – from the moment they receive your application – to acknowledge receipt and request any other documents they require
1-4 months to take a decision, once your application is complete.
Cost:
ISK 8,300 (about €53)
You must pay this in advance. The authority will give you the payment details during the recognition procedure.
Temporary Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in Iceland on a temporary and occasional basis, you must submit the following documents:
- written declaration, dated and signed, informing the responsible authority that you intend to practice in Iceland on a temporary and occasional basis. It must clearly state your occupation
The Icelandic authorities will check your professional qualifications before you can start practicing there. Your declaration is valid for 1 year only
- proof of your name, date of birth and nationality (e.g. certified copies of the relevant passport pages)
- proof of any change of name
- certified copy or original of your qualification/certificate
detailed transcript of your study programme from the educational institution, with details of:
a. admission requirements
b. total length of programme
c. subjects taught and lecture hours for each
d. clinical education: departments (patient categories) and number
of weeks in each
- certificate (no more 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 practice as a physiotherapist
– have not been suspended, disqualified or prohibited from practicing
This certificate should be sent directly to the Directorate of Health by the relevant authority.
You only have to submit these documents once, with your first declaration. After that, you'll only have to renew your declaration every year (without re-submitting all the documents).You must send your application by post. We recommend you use registered post, to avoid any lost documents.
Responsible authority:
Landlæknisembættið
Directorate of Health
BarónstÃgur 47
101 ReykjavÃkTel.: +354 5101900
E-mail: mottaka@landlaeknir.is
E-mail: lisa@landlaeknir.is
When can you expect an answer:
Once you have sent your documents, the authorities have:
1 month – from the moment they receive your application – to acknowledge receipt and request any other documents they require
1-4 months to take a decision, once your application is complete.
Cost:
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