The World Confederation for Physical Therapy was founded in 1951 in Copenhagen, Denmark, with 11 founding Member Organisations from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, France, Sweden and the United States of America.

The first international Congress and Second General Meeting were held in 1953, where the first Executive Committee was elected.

Administrative services were provided by the Secretary of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, which provided a base for the Confederation for its first decade.

During this time, membership increased to 16 organisations, even though WCPT had no regular income and depended on voluntary donations from its Member Organisations and occasional grants from other international bodies. By 1961, an annual per capita subscription had been established, separate office accommodation in London had been obtained and a Secretary General had been employed.

The Confederation consolidated its international position by attaining consultative status with the United Nations and official relationship with the World Health Organization. It also forged links with voluntary international bodies like Rehabilitation International, the World Medical Association, and United Nations agencies such as UNICEF.

In 1991, a change in structure of the Confederation resulted in five WCPT Regions with autonomous regional committees being established. The intention was to encourage opportunities for more frequent contact among members with similar cultural, economic and social outlooks.

Early in the new millennium WCPT celebrated its 50th anniversary by holding a meeting of Member Organisations on Evidence Based Practice. The event underlined the coming of age of WCPT and the profession with a focus on the relationship between research evidence and practice, and the role that WCPT can play in supporting the exchange of information and knowledge around the world.