Professional license for physio and ergo from 2025

Professional practice permit from 2025, which is fundamentally changing for physiotherapy and occupational therapy in Switzerland

On February 1, 2025, the five-year transition period under the Federal Act on Health Professions will end. What looks like an inconspicuous deadline at first glance has fundamental effects on the everyday working life of many therapists in Switzerland. From this point on, all people working in the area need Physiotherapy or occupational therapy are active and on your professional responsibility work, one Cantonal professional practice permit.

Legal basis

that Federal Act on Health Professions (GesbG) dated September 30, 2016 regulates the requirements for training, registration and professional practice of certain health professions. It came into force on February 1, 2020 (SR 811.21). The aim of the Act is to promote the quality of healthcare and to increase patient safety.

In accordance Art. 2 GesbG The Act applies to the following professions:

• nursing professionals
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• midwives
• Dieticians (Dietetics)
• Optometrists
• Osteopaths

Not Occupations such as podiatry or most complementary medical disciplines. These are subject to their own cantonal regulations or the Vocational Training Act (BBG), more specifically the Medical Professions Act (MedBG) if there is a medical background.

Who needs a professional practice permit from 2025

The professional practice permit in accordance with Art. 36, paragraph 1 GesbG is required for every person who carries out one of the above professions independently or who works on behalf of an institution in working on your own professional responsibility is.

“Anyone who pursues a health profession within the meaning of this Act requires a professional permit from the canton in which the professional activity is carried out. ”
(Art. 36 (1) GesbG)

This includes not only owners of practices, but also employed specialists, provided that they make decisions about therapeutic measures independently, i.e. without direct supervision.

In Art. 38 GesbG It is regulated that the cantons assume responsibility for issuing professional practice permits. They set the formal requirements, such as:

• Diplomas or professional credentials
• Criminal record extracts
• Proof of professional experience
• Language certificate (national language at level B2 or higher)
• Continuing education certificates, depending on the canton

The transitional provision in Art. 64 GesbG granted a five-year deadline, within which the cantons were able to adapt their systems and obtain new approvals from existing health professionals. This period expires on January 31, 2025.

What does “own professional responsibility mean. ”

A central concept in the interpretation of the GesbG is the so-called own professional responsibility. The term is not definitively defined, but practice shows that it already includes the following situations:

• A therapist independently determines the form of treatment
• A therapist alone decides on treatment goals and documentation
• a specialist assesses whether a patient will continue to be treated or referred

In many cantons, this already has an employed physiotherapist affected in a group practice. Anyone who carries out treatment without someone with higher responsibility explicitly specifying every step is acting on their responsibility and therefore requires a professional permit.

Example: The Canton of Lucerne has already clearly communicated in 2023 that employed professionals in the affected occupations also need a permit if they work on their responsibility. The fees are around 500 francs. The permit is personal and must be applied for again in the event of a change of canton.

What happens if you don't comply

The consequences of missing or late professional practice permit can be serious:

• Administrative fines
• Cessation of activity by cantonal decrees
• Reclamation of benefits by insurers when exercising their profession in a non-compliant manner
• Reporting requirement to the Health Professions Register (NAREG)

It is therefore not only an administrative obligation, but can, in the worst case, jeopardize the existence of a therapeutic activity if the legally required authorization is missing.

What health professionals should do now

Anyone who is already working as a physiotherapist should take action now:

• Check cantonal regulations: Each canton has its processes and forms. The health directorates or cantonal health authorities provide information on professional permits on their websites.
• Compile documents: Diploma, job references, continuing education certificates, criminal record extract, language certificate.
• Apply for approval early: In large cantons in particular, bottlenecks may occur towards the end of the deadline.
• Review future employment relationships: Even if you change jobs to another canton, you must apply for a new BAB.

It should be particularly noted that existing professional practitioners not automatically be registered or taken over. The transition period has just served to re-enter the requirements.

conclusion

The professional practice permit in accordance with GesbG will be binding on all individuals in the professions from 2025 physiotherapy and occupational therapy, who work independently. This new regulation ensures that the quality of therapeutic care is comparable across the country.

Even though it involves effort at first, it strengthens professional recognition and protects patients. Anyone who takes the necessary steps now can continue their professional activities in good time and without complications.

For professional groups such as podiatry This provision does not currently apply, as it is not included in the scope of the GesbG. However, podiatrists should also review their cantonal regulations, as permits may also be required there — but based on other laws.

More information

• Federal Act on Health Professions (GesbG): admin.ch — SR 811.21
• NAREG Health Professions Register: nareg.ch
• Cantonal health authorities: depending on the place of residence or work, e.g. Lucerne: health.lu.ch
• Professional associations: Physioswiss and the evs offer practical information sheets and help for their members