{"id":446,"date":"2020-09-30T19:19:08","date_gmt":"2020-09-30T19:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.ordemdosfisioterapeutas.pt\/?page_id=446"},"modified":"2023-08-09T15:48:20","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T14:48:20","slug":"perguntas-frequentes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.ordemdosfisioterapeutas.pt\/en\/perguntas-frequentes\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Order functions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 - What is the role of the Order of Physiotherapists?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

The primary roles are:<\/p>

a) Regulate the access and practice of the profession;<\/p>

b) Defend general interests of patients from services provided by members, enforcing citizens right's to health;<\/p>

c) Represent and defend general interests of the profession, in national territory, ensuring its social function, dignity and prestige;<\/p>

d) Exclusively assign physiotherapist professional title and professional certificate to its members;<\/p>

e) Protect the professional title, including handling complaints about illegal practice of the profession, and becoming a part in criminal proceedings;<\/p>

f) Certify the specialization qualification of a physiotherapist who meets the requirements set by the specialists\u2019 member\u2019s board;<\/p>

g) Create and keep the professional registration of members updated;<\/p>

h) Ensure compliance with ethics and professional deontology rules;<\/p>

i) Use disciplinary power over its members;<\/p>

j) Awards or honorary titles;<\/p>

k) Offer services related to professional practice to members, accurate information, professional training and technical and legal support;<\/p>

l) Collaborate with Public entities in pursuit of public interests related to the profession of physiotherapy;<\/p>

m) Participate in legislation proposals regarding the profession;<\/p>

n) Participation in official accreditation processes and evaluation of academic education that give access to the profession;<\/p>

o) Recognize professional qualifications obtained outside Portugal, according to the Portuguese and European Union laws or international conventions;<\/p>

p) Provide advice regarding scientific and technical matters, requested by any entity, national or foreign, public or private, when there is public interest for the profession;<\/p>

q) Support the development of physiotherapy science and education;<\/p>

r) Any other role committed by law.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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According to Law no. 122\/2019, of 30 September, which can be consulted at here<\/a>,<\/span> The Order of Physiotherapists regulates the profession, defends physiotherapy and protects citizens from unqualified practice.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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The Order has a Jurisdictional Council that examines complaints against physiotherapists and has the power to act against bad practices and unqualified practice, intervening directly and\/or indirectly in the event of such proven situations.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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No, the Portuguese Parliament or the Government, is the Portuguese legislative organization, it\u00b4s responsible for creating laws. The Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas can regulate all relevant aspects of the profession.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 - How will the process of awarding a speciality in Physiotherapy work? <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

One of the duties of the Order, as set out in Article 4 of its statutes, is to Statutes<\/a><\/span>The purpose of this programme is to \"confer the title of specialist on physiotherapists who fulfil the requirements laid down by the competent bodies\".<\/p>

Pursuant to article 26 j) of the Statute of the Order of Physiotherapists, it is the Order's Board of Directors' responsibility to propose to the General Council the creation of a framework of professional specialities in Physiotherapy. The preparation of a proposal, to be submitted to the General Council and for subsequent public consultation, is included in the 2023 Activities Plan.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Member services \/ support<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 - What titles does or will the Order of Physiotherapists award?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

In accordance with Article 4 of the Statutes of the Order of Physiotherapists, point 1(d) and (f), the Order awards the professional title of Physiotherapist and the respective professional licence.<\/p>

Once the specialities have been defined, it will also award the title of specialist to Physiotherapists who meet the requirements set by the competent bodies.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Without prejudice to promoting the socio-economic conditions of its members, according to Law 122\/2019, of 30 September, article 4, paragraph 2, \"The Order is prevented from exercising or participating in activities of a trade union nature or which relate to the regulation of the economic or professional relations of its members.\", and therefore does not intervene in matters of a labour and\/or trade union nature.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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No. All issues related to career progression, salary aspects, or others, are not duties of Portuguese Professional Orders, without prejudice to studying the underlying issues, that may be advocated by the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Physiotherapy, as a healthcare service is exempt from VAT. This will not happen if a physiotherapist has any other activity where the VAT is applied.<\/p>

There may also be cases where some devices connected to physiotherapy may be subject to VAT, regardless of their rate.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Yes. The cost of issuing a duplicate ballot paper is included in the Regulations<\/span> Dues and Fees<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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The Order of Physiotherapists is developing a job vacancy exchange, which will be available to all members in the reserved area. The project is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Registration<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 - Who can join the Order of Physiotherapists?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

In accordance with Article 3 of the Registration Regulations of the Order of Physiotherapists:<\/p>

\"1- You can enrol in the OF:<\/p>

a) Have a graduate academic degree in physiotherapy, completed after a program of study of no less than four curricular years, by a Portuguese higher education institution;<\/p>

b) Have a foreign academic degree in physiotherapy, with equivalence to the program of study mentioned on the previous paragraph;<\/p>

c) Are a national certified practitioner from EU Member States or European Economic Area whose qualifications have been obtained outside Portugal, pursuant to Article 67 of the Statute of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas.<\/p>

2 - You can also register if you:<\/p>

a) Are a Physiotherapist who, in accordance with Statutes and applicable legal provisions, is a certified practitioner;<\/p>

b) Holders of a physiotherapist's professional card, issued under the terms of Decree-Law no. 320\/99, of 11 August.\"<\/p>

3 - The enrolment of third-country nationals whose qualifications were obtained outside Portugal and to whom the provisions of paragraph 1(c) apply also depends on the guarantee of reciprocal treatment, under the terms of an international convention, including a convention signed between the OF and the counterpart authority of the country of origin of the person concerned.<\/p>

4 - The following can also register as members:<\/p>

a) Professional societies of physiotherapy, including the branches of associative organizations of physiotherapists, created under the law of another country, pursuant to article 68 of the Statute of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas;<\/p>

b) Permanent representations in national territory of associative organizations of physiotherapists, constituted under the law of another State, pursuant to article 69 of the Statute of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas.<\/p>

5 - Registration to practice physiotherapy may be refused if:<\/p>

a) You don\u2019t have higher academic training pursuant to points a) to c) of paragraph 1, without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 4, of article 1;<\/p>

b) The person concerned has been punished with an interdiction or suspension of practice provided by law, or a criminal, administrative or disciplinary infraction.<\/p>

6 - The recognition required for purposes of point c) of paragraph 1, must be requested by the interested parties.<\/p>

7- Enrolment in the OF can be made in any of the specialities recognised under the terms defined in the Specialities Regulations, after they have been created.\"<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Physiotherapists can register with the Portuguese Bar Association exclusively at website<\/a><\/span> of the Order of Physiotherapists, without having to go to the head office for this purpose.<\/p>

https:\/\/ordemdosfisioterapeutas.pt\/inscricao-na-ordem-dos-fisioterapeutas\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 - Do I need to register with the Portuguese Bar Association, even though I am registered with the ACSS or with the Portuguese Association of Physiotherapists?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, even if you are registered with the ACSS or have a valid APFisio membership, you will need to register with the Order of Physiotherapists.<\/p>

Registration with the Order is compulsory and is a necessary condition for the use of the professional title of Physiotherapist and access to professional practice.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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If you enrol, you will have to pay the registration fee. Registration with the Order is a mandatory condition for practising law. The fees for this process are defined by regulation, and there are no exemptions. Registration with the Bar will be relevant for proving your professional qualifications when looking for a job.<\/p>

If you are unemployed and therefore not practising, you can choose to delay registration until you are actually practising your profession, in whatever form, namely liberally. However, you must provide proof of this situation by sending the Order a statement with the corresponding supporting document.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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The decision to register in the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas and to maintain or suspend this registration is an individual decision, and a right of the person who has the qualifications\/ requirements to do so.<\/p>

However, only those registered can use the professional title of Physiotherapist and legally practice the profession.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t6 - As registration with the Order of Physiotherapists is compulsory, what is the deadline for registration for physiotherapists who hold a Professional Card from the ACSS?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

The Statute of the Order of Physiotherapists, approved by Law no. 122\/2019 of 30 September, as well as its articles of association, make it possible to register as a member of the Order at any time.<\/p>

This is the principle applicable to anyone wishing to start their own business, such as young graduates or professionals from other countries travelling to Portugal.<\/p>

However, with the creation of the Order of Physiotherapists, previous registration with the ACSS is no longer a sufficient condition for the legal exercise of the profession of Physiotherapist, and registration with the Order is now required. Since 13 May 2021, the conditions for registration with the Order have been met, and this is a legal condition for practising the profession.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t7 - What happens if a physiotherapist doesn't register with the Order?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Registration with the Bar is compulsory and a legal condition for practising the profession. Employers are obliged to require their employees to be registered with the Bar, so you should co-operate with your employer so that you don't both fall foul of the law. If you are a self-employed professional, practising your profession without being registered with the Bar also constitutes a situation of non-compliance.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8 - What documents do I need to provide to prove my professional address?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Any of the following up to date documents may be accepted for inclusion:<\/p>