Objective To construct a localized job competency model for rehabilitation therapists based on the rehabilitation competency framework (RCF) developed by the World Health Organization and conduct preliminary validation. Methods In December 2021,the initial model was constructed by literature research method. In March 2022, the Delphi method was used to conduct two rounds of expert consultation, and the analytic hierarchy method was used to calculate the weight of indicators in each dimension of the model. In June 2022,we conducted an empirical study using the questionnaire survey method. Results Through literature research,a competency model of initial rehabilitation therapists with 6 core dimensions and 51 sub-dimensions was constructed. The authoritative coefficients of experts in the two rounds of consultation were 0.89 and 0.93, the coefficients of coordination of expert opinions were 0.23 and 0.26 (all P<0.05), respectively,and the job competency model of rehabilitation therapists was optimized into 5 core dimensions and 40 sub-dimensions, 276 valid questionnaires were collected in the empirical study, and 5 factors were extracted using exploratory factor analysis, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 71.27%. Conclusions The competency model of rehabilitation therapists based on “rehabilitation competency architecture” was constructed.The reliability and validity of the model were good, which could provide reference for standardized training and assessment of rehabilitation therapists.