Physiotherapist is a regulated profession in the Netherlands according to section 3 in the Individual Healthcare Professions Act (284). The title “Physical therapist Bachelor” is protected through state legislation, but not the professional activity. The rules of professional conduct are determined by the association. The physiotherapist must be state registered and obtain a licence to practise.
The association has established a code of ethics for physiotherapists. The national authority responsible for the physiotherapy profession in The Netherlands is the “Department of Health Care” (288).
Physiotherapy is registered with three titles in the EU regulated professions database:
Physiotherapy is a directly related regulated profession with the title “Fysiotherapeut” recognized under Directive 2005/36/EC (5), ID 815 General system of recognition- primary application. All regions. Qualification level: PS3 – Diploma of post-secondary level (3-4 years), Art. 11d (7).
Physiotherapy is a directly related regulated profession with the title “Oefentherapeutcesar” recognized under Directive 2005/36/EC (5), ID 3167 General system of recognition primary application. All regions. Qualification level: PS3 – Diploma of post-secondary level (3-4 years), Art. 11d (7).
Physiotherapy is a directly related regulated profession with title “Oefentherapeutmensendieck” recognized under Directive 2005/36/EC (5), ID 3211 General system of recognition- primary application. All regions. Qualification level: PS3 – Diploma of postsecondary level (3-4 years), Art. 11d (7).
5. DIRECTIVE 2005/36/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22) Amended up to March 2011, (2005).
7. The European Commission. Regulated professions database. Brussels: EUROPA; 2011 [cited 2012 February 10, ]; Available from: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=regProf.index.
284. Ministerie van Volksgezondheid Welzijn en Sport – NL. The Individual Health Care Professions Act (Beroepen in de Individuele Gzondheidszorg); Act of 11 November 1993, amended December 1,1997; Text of the act as per 1-1-2001. The Hague 2001.
288. Koninklijk Nederlands Genootschap Voor Fysiotherapie (K.N.G.F.). Physiotherapy in The Netherlands. The World Confederation for Physical Therapy; 2012 [cited 2012 March 20]; Available from: http://www.physio-europe.org/index.php?action=15#n.
