Once the level certificate according to directive 2005-36-CE obtained, the request for authorization to practice in France is made to the regional directorate for youth, sports and social cohesion (DRJSCS) in the workplace region. The physiotherapist must have a clearly identified establishment project in the region where the request is made.

The foreign physiotherapist must fill in the authorization request form (direct download links below), and provide a photocopy of his identity document as well as the following supporting documents, written in French, or translated by an official translator (ask the french embassy of his own country) :

• A curriculum vitae;
• A copy of the diploma allowing the exercise of the profession of physiotherapist in the country of origin, accompanied by :
• The detailed program of the training followed (study plan) and the hourly volume of each subject. If the program is formulated in ECTS, the university will issue a certificate stating the hour value of an ECTS;
• A supporting document detailing the clinical internships carried out and their fields (eg neurology, orthopedics, etc.), their duration in hours, the type of patients treated (children - adults - elderly) as well as the coordinates of the internship locations (name , address and telephone);
• The foreign physiotherapist must be able to justify an experience (internships + professional experience) of at least 300 hours, in each of the following 5 areas : Orthopedics, Neurology, Cardio-Respiratory Rehabilitation, Pediatrics, Geriatrics; A total of 1500 hours of professional experience. Without proof of these experiences, the foreign physiotherapist will have to carry out validation internships in France.
• The academic course certificate (the marks obtained);
• The theme and the summary of the thesis presented.
• Evidence of continuing education, experience (certificate from the employer) and skills acquired during the professional exercise;
• if applicable, a copy of the additional diplomas;
• A declaration from the competent authority of the State, member or party, of establishment, dated less than one year, attesting to the absence of sanctions (e.g. criminal records);
• A certificate of first aid training is requested by certain regions (equivalent to prevention and civic rescue training level 1 - PSC1).

The university or school in charge of the initial training in physiotherapy must authenticate in writing (date and signature) the documents related to the title or diploma of physiotherapy.

In addition, to properly prepare for your arrival in France, it is recommended to have a birth certificate, translated into French by an official translator, to carry out the registration with the french health insurance. While the registration is pending, European physiotherapists can be covered by the European health insurance card, which they must request in their country of origin.

Temporary & Occasional Practice by a Physiotherapist from the European Union, who does not Hold an Authorization to Practice in France

Decree n ° 2010-334 allows a European national to perform professional acts on a temporary and occasional basis in another Member State (without establishment in France). In this case, before starting activities, it is required to contact the Local Board of Physiotherapists corresponding to the workplace.