The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) is a self-regulated, not-for-profit organization. This means the College is funded entirely by the fees paid by occupational therapists who are registered to work in Ontario.
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The fee pays for:
- Registration of qualified occupational therapists and public access to information through the Public Register.
- Communication about what to expect when working with occupational therapists
- Creation of resources to help occupational therapists meet practice standards and support students, employers, and the public.
- Operation of the Quality Assurance (QA) program to ensure ongoing competence and improvement.
- Investigation of concerns about occupational therapists’ conduct or competence
- Implementation of policies and regulations that affect your practice.
The College’s main job is to protect the public, not advocate for occupational therapists. Professional associations do that.
By paying the fee, occupational therapists help ensure:
- Only qualified individuals are certified to practice occupational therapy in Ontario.
- Clear standards guide safe, ethical care.
- Occupational therapists maintain their competencies to practice.
- Concerns about conduct or competence are addressed.
- Standards and regulations stay up to date with the law.
We also work to improve regulations, like:
- Enhancing the quality assurance program for professional development.
- Modernizing governance for better leadership.
No. Our fees are in the lower mid-range compared to other health professions. Fees vary based on factors like the size of the profession, scope of practice, and number of complaints.
Regulation is provincial, and each profession has its own laws. Fees depend on:
- Requirements in each province (e.g., quality assurance programs).
- Legal changes related to regulation, healthcare or privacy and security
- Size of the profession.
- Number of complaints and hearings.
- Infrastructure needs.
Annual reports (in English and French) show more details.
Toronto is close to government, other regulators, and transit. Meetings, hearings, and training happen there. The College has kept the same space since 2001 and uses a hybrid work model.
How Fees Were Spent in 2023-2024
A breakdown of how the annual registration fee was spent in 2024-2025 is available below. Please note this information is based on pre-audited financials and estimates.
| Regulatory Activities | Percent (%) of fees | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assurance & Practice Support | 17% | Quality assurance program, competency assessments, practice resources, and education. |
| Investigations & Resolutions | 8% | Complaints, discipline hearings, fitness-to-practise. |
| Registration | 12% | Registrant assessment, renewals, public register, student outreach. |
| Executive Office | 9% | Leadership, planning, partner engagements. |
| Board & Governance | 9% | Board meetings, policy work, equity initiatives. |
| Corporate Services | 12% | Finance, human resources, legal, office management. |
| Facilities & Operations | 11% | Rent, equipment, maintenance. |
| Communications | 11% | Awareness projects, website, reports, translation. |
| Information & Technology | 11% | Software and technological infrastructure, and systems. |