What do I need to practice occupational therapy in Canada?
To learn more about occupational therapy, including its scope of practice, you are encouraged to browse resources on the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) website.
To practice as an occupational therapist in Canada, you’ll need:
Completion of a Canadian-accredited occupational therapy program.
Completion of the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam (NOTCE).
License or registration with the associated regulator/governing body where you would like to practice.
(Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, n.d.)
How do I apply?
To apply to an occupational therapy program, you may apply:
Through Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service (ORPAS) for Ontario occupational therapy (OT) programs.
Through the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) for occupational therapy programs in the U.S.
Through individual program websites for programs not found within ORPAS or OTCAS.
The application process may consist of the following components:
Personal information
Personal statement
Autobiographical sketch (ABS)
Referees/letters of reference
Transcript(s), including prerequisites (if applicable)
Standardized test results (i.e. Casper)
Interviews and/or assessments (program-specific)
- Next: Physical therapy
References
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. (n.d.). Become an OT/OTA. https://caot.ca/site/becomeanota/overview?nav=sidebar&banner=1#:~:text=rehabilitation%20program%20development.-,Becoming%20an%20occupational%20therapist,-Occupational%20therapists%20are