In September 2025, the government of Ontario launched a public consultation on expanding the scope of practice for various regulated health professionals, including physiotherapists, to allow them to order diagnostic imaging (for example, MRI, ultrasound, X-rays) and to seek feedback on whether they should order CT scans. This proposal broadly aims to relieve pressure on primary care providers and emergency departments, and would expand scope of practice beyond what is in place in most other provinces. To implement the proposed changes, amendments to multiple regulations are needed (e.g., Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act, Regulated Health Professions Act).
The Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA) strongly supports the reform, stating that enabling imaging referrals will improve timely access, reduce duplication and allow physiotherapists to practise to their full training. The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario also supports the proposed expansion. Consultations are expected to end in November 2025. There may be concerns raised about training adequacy, oversight, unintended costs and increased diagnostics wait times. The OPA hopes that the new imaging authority could be in place by mid-2026. Implementation would depend on the College’s rostering, quality assurance, and practitioner training.