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A step-by-step guide to checking PPTA/AHPC registration, what to ask before a home visit, and the registration mistakes that should prompt you to look elsewhere.
A qualified physiotherapist in Pakistan holds a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) degree and a current PPTA (Pakistan Physiotherapy Association) or AHPC (Allied Health Professionals Council) registration. Ask for the registration number before any visit and verify it with the council. Physiotherapists are NOT regulated by PMDC — that council governs MBBS doctors only.
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Key Takeaways
Ask for the PPTA or AHPC registration number
Before any physiotherapist visits your home, ask for their PPTA membership number or AHPC registration number in writing (via WhatsApp is fine). A qualified, registered physiotherapist will provide this without hesitation.
Confirm the DPT or recognised physiotherapy degree
A physiotherapist practising in Pakistan should hold a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) from a recognised Pakistani university, or an older BScPT (Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy) from a recognised institution. Ask which degree they hold and where they studied.
Check for any mismatch between claimed credentials and actual registration
If a practitioner cannot provide a PPTA/AHPC registration number, or claims PMDC registration as their physiotherapy credential, do not proceed. PMDC governs MBBS doctors — it has no jurisdiction over physiotherapists.
Verify independently where possible
PPTA maintains a register of members. You can contact PPTA directly to confirm registration status if in doubt. RehabNow proactively shares registration numbers before every visit so families can do this at any time.
Note any GPS and reporting commitment
A professional home healthcare platform will confirm the visit via GPS tracking and send a WhatsApp report after every session. If a practitioner operates with no booking confirmation, no identity verification, and no post-visit reporting, consider this a risk factor.
| Professional | Degree | Regulatory Body | PMDC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapist | DPT / BScPT | PPTA / AHPC | |
| Nurse | BSN / Post-RN | PNMC | |
| MBBS Doctor | MBBS | PMDC | |
| Dentist | BDS | PMDC |
Important: PMDC (Pakistan Medical and Dental Council) regulates MBBS doctors and dentists only. A physiotherapist claiming PMDC registration as their physiotherapy credential is providing inaccurate information — PMDC has no authority over physiotherapy practice.
Claims to be 'PMDC registered' — PMDC (Pakistan Medical and Dental Council) governs MBBS doctors and dentists. Physiotherapists are NOT PMDC-registered. Any practitioner claiming PMDC registration as their physiotherapy credential is either confused or misrepresenting their qualifications.
Cannot provide a PPTA or AHPC registration number when asked
No DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) degree from a recognised Pakistani university
Offers to come immediately without any booking process, verification, or agreement on pricing
Insists on cash payment only with no receipt or invoice
Does not provide a WhatsApp message confirming the visit time, name, and credentials in advance
RehabNow verifies every physiotherapist's PPTA/AHPC registration and DPT qualification before listing them on the platform. Their registration number is shared with you via WhatsApp before the first visit — so you can verify it independently at any time. Every nurse's PNMC registration is verified by the same process.
Request a Verified PhysiotherapistPPTA stands for Pakistan Physiotherapy Association. It is the professional body for physiotherapists in Pakistan. PPTA registration indicates that the physiotherapist has completed a recognised DPT degree and is in good standing with the professional association. PPTA is the primary professional credential to look for when booking a physiotherapist.
AHPC stands for Allied Health Professionals Council — a statutory regulatory body for allied health professions in Pakistan including physiotherapy. AHPC registration (like PMDC for doctors) is the statutory registration; PPTA is the professional association. In practice, PPTA-registered physiotherapists in good standing generally also hold AHPC registration. RehabNow verifies both.
No. PMDC (Pakistan Medical and Dental Council) regulates MBBS doctors and dental professionals. Physiotherapists are NOT PMDC-registered and should not be. A physiotherapist claiming PMDC registration as a physiotherapy credential is providing misleading information. The correct regulatory credentials for a physiotherapist are PPTA and/or AHPC registration, plus a DPT degree.
DPT stands for Doctor of Physical Therapy — a five-year undergraduate clinical degree that qualifies a graduate to practise as a physiotherapist in Pakistan. Graduates of DPT programmes from recognised Pakistani universities (such as DUHS, UMT, or COMSATS) are eligible for PPTA registration. A Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy (BScPT) is an older qualification; some registered physiotherapists hold this instead of a DPT. The key check is the current PPTA/AHPC registration, not the specific degree title.
PPTA maintains a register of registered members. You can request verification from PPTA directly. RehabNow shares the PPTA registration number of every assigned therapist before the first visit — so you can independently verify it before any contact.
Home nurses should hold a current Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC) registration. PNMC is the statutory body for nurses and midwives in Pakistan. Ask for the PNMC registration number before any nursing visit. RehabNow verifies PNMC registration for every nurse on the platform.
Physiotherapists who have completed a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) degree may use the title 'Dr.' preceding their name, as the DPT is a doctoral-level clinical degree in Pakistan. This is a professional title tied to the DPT qualification — it is not equivalent to an MBBS medical degree. Physiotherapists with an older BScPT (Bachelor) qualification would not typically use 'Dr.' All RehabNow physiotherapists hold DPT degrees.