On 13 May 2021, the Order of Physiotherapists (Ordem) began the process of registering physiotherapists practising their profession in Portugal, based on the regulations contained in DRE, 2nd, E, of 23 April.

Applications are now open for membership of the Order of Physiotherapists, a legal condition for the exercise of physiotherapy activity in Portugal, under the terms of Law no. 122/2019, of 30 September, the Statute annexed to it and the Order's Regulation no. 359/2021, of 15 February, published in the DR, 2nd, E, of 23 April.

Considering that registration with the Order of Physiotherapists is a necessary legal condition for practising the profession in Portugal, the Order of Physiotherapists and the Central Administration of the Health System, IP signed a memorandum of understanding, within the scope of access to and regulation of the exercise of the profession of physiotherapist in Portugal.

The process of setting up the Order of Physiotherapists consists of several highly complex phases. The epidemiological situation in Portugal caused by the SARS -CoV -2 virus and the COVID -19 disease, as well as the time needed to create the material conditions for the effective installation and all the processes that make it up, have caused additional difficulties for the normal development of the installation process.

The Installation Committee of the Order of Physiotherapists, in the person of physiotherapist Isabel Souza Guerra and physiotherapist António Lopes, was received by His Excellency, the President of the Republic, Professor Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

The Installation Commission of the Order of Physiotherapists has made a commitment to dematerialise all its administrative processes.

Under the terms of Article 62(1) of the Statute of the Order of Physiotherapists, annexed to Law no.
122/2019, of 30 September "The attribution of the professional title, its use and the exercise of the profession of physiotherapist, in any sector of activity, individually or in a professional company, depend on registration with the Order as a full member (...)".

The installation committee of the Order of Physiotherapists recently met with the Order of Dentists.

The President of the Installation Committee of the Order of Physiotherapists, Physiotherapist Isabel de Souza Guerra, attended the National Meeting of Physiotherapy Students (ENEFt) last weekend.