OMANI EXAMINATION FOR
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
AUGUST 2025
OMAN MEDICAL SPECIALTY BOARD
Table of Contents
I. Introduction.................................................................................................................1
II. Purposes ......................................................................................................................... 1
III. Eligibility.......................................................................................................................... 1
IV. Examination Format ....................................................................................................... 1
V. Test Blueprint .................................................................................................................. 2
VI. Suggested References/Textbooks................................................................................. 2
VII. Venue of Examination .................................................................................................... 3
VIII. Release of Results .......................................................................................................... 3
IX. Sample Questions .......................................................................................................... 4
OMANI EXAMINATION FOR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
I. INTRODUCTION
The Omani Examination for Physiotherapists (OEPH) is intended, for all physiotherapists/physical
therapists who graduated from private or governmental universities in Oman or abroad, to ensure
safe practice and quality health services in the field of physiotherapy. The OEPH will assess
candidates’ abilities, including but not limited to application of medical sciences’ knowledge in
clinical decision making, conduct of physiotherapy assessment, and implementation of evidence-
based physiotherapy management plan.
II. PURPOSES
1. To ensure that physiotherapists/physical therapists have the competencies to practice safely.
2. To be used as eligibility criteria for employment in physiotherapy in Oman.
III. ELIGIBILITY
1. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy from a recognized local or international
university.
2. Completion of registration:
i. Go to OMSB website: www.omsb.gov.om
ii. Click on “Professional Competence Affairs”
iii. Select Occupational Classification Testing Section
iv. Click on “Online Services”
v. Visit Pearson VUE website to schedule, reschedule and cancel your exam
(https://home.pearsonvue.com/omsb)
vi. Payment of examination fee: USD 200
IV. EXAMINATION FORMAT
1. The examination will consist of 100 single best answer multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
2. The examination will cover nine (9) domains designed to measure the competencies of a
physiotherapist: histology, anatomy, and physiology; neurophysiotherapy; kinesiology,
biomechanics, ergonomics, and principles of exercise; musculoskeletal physiotherapy;
electrophysical modalities; cardiopulmonary physiotherapy; risk assessment and safety;
physiotherapy in special population; and professionalism and evidence-based practice.
3. The duration of the examination is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
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OMANI EXAMINATION FOR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
V. TEST BLUEPRINT
Content Area Weight%
Histology, Anatomy, and Physiology 10%
Neurophysiotherapy 15%
Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Ergonomics, and Principles of Exercise 10%
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 20%
Electrophysical Modalities 10%
Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy 15%
Risk Assessment and Safety 5%
Physiotherapy in Special Population 10%
Professionalism and Evidence-Based Practice 5%
Total Percentage/Weightage 100%
Blueprint distributions may vary up to (+/-) 5% in each category.
VI. SUGGESTED REFERENCES/TEXTBOOKS
No Main Content Areas References/Textbooks
Anatomy, Histology, ● Standring S (2021). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42 nd
1
and Physiology ed. New York: Elsevier
● O'Sullivan, S., Schmitz, T., Fulk, G. and O'Sullivan, S., 2019. Physical rehabilitation.
2 Neurophysiotherapy
7th ed. F.A. Davis Company.
Kinesiology,
● Alderink, Gordon J ; Ashby, Blake M (2023). Clinical Kinesiology and
Biomechanics,
3 Biomechanics: A Problem-Based Learning Approach. Springer International
Ergonomics, and
Publishing
Principles of Exercise
• Petty NJ. (2018). Neuromusculoskeletal Examination and Assessment: A handbook
Musculoskeletal for therapists, 5th Ed. Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
4
Physiotherapy • Longo et al (2023). Textbook of Musculoskeletal Disorders. Cham: Springer
International Publishing AG
Electrophysical ● William E. Prentic (2021). 6th ed. Therapeutic modalities in rehabilitation. McGraw-
5
Modalities Hill Medical.
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OMANI EXAMINATION FOR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
Cardiopulmonary ● Main E and Denehy L (2016). Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy: Adults and
6
Physiotherapy Paediatrics. 5th Edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier
• Donaldson et al (2021). Textbook of Patient Safety and Clinical Risk Management.
Cham; Springer
Risk Assessment and
7
Safety • Fan LJ, Liu S, Jin T, Gan JG, Wang FY, Wang HT and Lin T (2022) Ergonomic risk
factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders in clinical physiotherapy. Front.
Public Health 10:1083609. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1083609
● Baranitharan, R.; Mahalakshmi, V.; Kokila, V ( 2010). Physiotherapy care for
Women's Health. Jaypee Brothers Medical
● Shinichiro Morishita, Junichiro Inoue, Jiro Nakano ( 2022). Physical therapy and
Physiotherapy in research in patients with cancer. Springer
8
Special Population ● Haewon B (2022). Prevention and Management of Frailty. Multidisciplinary Digital
Publishing Institute
● Michel Probst, Liv Helvik Skjaerven (2017). Physiotherapy In Mental Health And
Psychiatry; A Scientific And Clinical Based Approach. Elsevier
● Jill Thistlethwaite, Judy McKimm. (2016). Health care professionalism at a glance.
Professionalism and
Wiley Blackwell
9 Evidence-Based
● Polgar S, Thomas SA. (2020). Introduction to research in the health sciences. 7th
Practice
edition, London, Churchill Livingston: Edinburgh.
VII. VENUE OF EXAMINATION
a) For those residing in Oman, the exam will be at the Oman Medical Specialty Board,
OMSB National Test Center, Innovation Park Muscat.
b) For those residing outside Oman, the examination will be conducted in Pearson VUE
centers worldwide.
VIII. RELEASE OF RESULTS
The results will be emailed to candidates at their registered email addresses within 24
hours of completing the examination.
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OMANI EXAMINATION FOR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
IX. SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. While interpreting a pulmonary function test report of a 68-year-old patient diagnosed with
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), which of the following findings is expected?
A. Decreased FEV1/decreased FVC
B. Decreased FEV1/increased FVC
C. Increased FEV1/ decreased FVC
D. Increased FEV1/Increased FVC
2. A 24-year-old man diagnosed with lung contusion following chest trauma was admitted to the ICU,
intubated, and ventilated on SIMV mode. On assessment, the therapist noticed coarse crepitations in
the right anterior lower zone. Recent ABGs show respiratory acidosis.
Which is the appropriate position to facilitate airway clearance?
A. Left lateral with head down
B. Right lateral with head down
C. Supine with head down
D. Prone with head down
3. A 64-year-old man was admitted with acute exacerbation of COPD, currently managed with 4 liters
of oxygen therapy via face mask. On observation, it was noticed that the patient is using his
accessory muscles at rest (RR=20). Auscultatory findings revealed coarse crepitation throughout the
lung field. ABGs (Paco2=46, PH=7.38, Po2=87, HCO3=26).
Which of the following is the best technique that would benefit the patient?
A. Incentive spirometer and thoracic expansion exercises
B. Active cycle of breathing technique with pursed lip breathing
C. Postural drainage with percussion and vibration
D. Autogenic drainage with percussion and vibration
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OMANI EXAMINATION FOR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
4. A football player sustained a weight-bearing injury involving knee twisting, presented with recurrent
swelling, giving way while weight bearing.
Which anatomical structure is the most likely involved?
A. Medial collateral ligament
B. Anterior cruciate ligament
C. Lateral collateral ligament
D. Patellar ligament
5. The patient presented with low back pain and weak heel raise.
What is the most relevant involved nerve root?
A. L3
B. L4
C. S1
D. S2
6. A 50-year-old woman presents with intermittent left knee pain, swelling, and limping gait. Pain
aggravates with weight bearing. Recent x-ray reported reduced joint space.
What could be the best diagnosis?
A. Chondromalacia
B. Septic Arthritis
C. Osteoarthritis
D. Patellar Tendinopathy
7. A six-year-old child with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy presented with crossed leg gait is under
physiotherapy for three months with limited improvement.
Which of the following muscle relaxants is best to be used?
A. Baclofen
B. Carisoprodol
C. Methocarbamol
D. Cyclobenzaprine
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OMANI EXAMINATION FOR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
8. A 58-year-old woman with stroke presented with right upper limb marked increase in the tone
through range of motion, but it moves easily.
According to the modified Ashworth scale, what is the appropriate grade?
A. Grade 1
B. Grade 2
C. Grade 3
D. Grade 4
9. A 75-year-old man with hearing issue was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10 years ago. The
patient complains of recurrent freezing while walking at home from one room to another.
What is the best strategy to manage his mobility limitation?
A. Body weight supported gait training
B. Functional strengthening training
C. Home modification with walker prescription
D. Sensory cueing with task specific training
10. A patient stated that she had medical investigations from abroad indicating that she was
diagnosed with brain tumor. She requested not to state this diagnosis in her medical records.
As per patient's best care, what will be the action?
A. Document the diagnosis regardless
B. Respect patient's request not to record
C. Report to a senior therapist
D. Call for assistance from another professional
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OMANI EXAMINATION FOR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
Answer Key:
1. A
2. A
3. B
4. B
5. C
6. C
7. A
8. B
9. D
10. C
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