Changes to Membership Requirements in Accordance with the Allied Health Professions Act

1. The Allied Health Professions Act was passed in parliament on 10th Jan 2011. The Ministry of Health recently announced that the first phase of the Act implementation has taken effect on the 15th April 2013. Physiotherapists who wish to practise actively will have to be registered with the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC). Physiotherapists are given a year (grace period) to be registered with the AHPC. For more information on AHPC, please visit www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/ahpc
   
2. The Singapore Physiotherapy Association (SPA) has consulted various stakeholders and reviewed its membership criteria. The membership and admission committees under the council of SPA have streamlined their processes in line with the latest changes.
3. To qualify for an Ordinary/Spouse/Postgraduate/New Graduate membership, new applicants must show proof that they can be registered to practice in Singapore with the AHPC.
4. There are no changes to the administrative and membership fees.
5. The SPA Safety and Ethics test has ceased its operation with effect 07 December 2013.
6. For overseas applicants who are keen for SPA membership, they can apply for Associate Membership. 

For further enquiries, please email us at [email protected]

Q#1: I would like to work in Singapore and am not sure of the procedure to begin

• For non-residents working in Singapore, they must hold a valid work pass. The requirements and procedures that need to be fulfilled are determined by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
  
  Details can be found at: http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/passes-visas/Pages/default.aspx
  
  
• Since you are trained overseas and do intend to work in Singapore, you will need to find your prospective employer who would assess if you have the necessary experience and skills, to be offered a job in Singapore. Your employer would then make a work pass application to the Ministry of Manpower. Your professional credentials and qualification would be evaluated as part of the work pass application, and you will be subsequently advised through your employer on the outcomes of the work pass application.
  
  We periodically display advertisements from prospective employers. You can find them on the Association home page.
  
  
• To work as a physiotherapist in Singapore, you are required to register with the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) through your prospective employer in Singapore. AHPC will assess all applications for registration, and determine the registration status of applicants and whether the applicant would be required to sit for the qualifying examinations.
  
  Please refer to the Allied Health Professions Council website for more details.
  
  
• Some employers would prefer their future employees to become members of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association (SPA).
  
  For more information on SPA membership, please visit the membership page
  
  
• Please note that the registration to practice is independent of obtaining a membership with the Association and SPA membership does not entitle you to work as a physiotherapist in Singapore.

Q#2: How can I set up a private practice / clinic?

You will need to register your private physiotherapy service business with The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

ACRA will forward the application to Ministry Of Health (MOH), which will request for relevant documentation before ACRA processes the application. Upon successful business registration, follow ACRA ruling for running a business in Singapore.

Apart from the usual requirements for business registrations you would probably have to check if your rental space is allowed for practising physiotherapy and if the location is able to support the needs of your practice (e.g. power supply, sink for hand hygiene).

You will have to check this with the relevant authorities when renting your space. The property agent should be able to advise further.

Q#3: I am interested in internships / job shadow opportunities

You may wish to approach the general contact channels of the major hospitals in Singapore to learn about the internship opportunities they may have. The contact details of the various hospitals are appended below for your convenience:

• Singapore General Hospital              

  Email: [email protected]
  

  Career Opportunities: Careers@SGH

• Tan Tock Seng Hospital
  Career Opportunities Portal
  
  
• Changi General Hospital
  

  Career Opportunities: Careers@CGH
  

  
  

• KK Women's and Children's Hospital

  Email: [email protected]

  Career Opportunities: Careers@KKH

  
  
• Alexandra Health
  Career Opportunities Portal
  
  
• National University Health System
  Career Opportunities Portal 

We wish you every success in your internship.