Hiring an occupational therapist

When it comes to hiring an occupational therapist, there are some important considerations.

Read on for information about verifying credentials, understanding requirements, hiring new graduates, OTs returning to practice, provisional OTs, occupational therapy assistants and more.

Registration

Requirements

New Graduates

Return to Practice

Provisional Practice

Outside Ontario

OT Assistants

Resources

Ensuring safe, quality practice through registration

Be sure to confirm your prospective employee’s registration with the College on the Register of Occupational Therapists.

On the register, you can:

verify registration
view registration history
review any disciplinary actions

Every individual who uses the title occupational therapist must meet registration criteria set by the College before using the title. It’s illegal in Ontario for someone to use the title “occupational therapist”, the initials “OT” or any variation if they are not registered with the College.

All registered occupational therapists in Ontario may use the designation OT Reg. (Ont.). College registration criteria.

Understand Use of Title

Understanding occupational therapy requirements

The requirements for becoming an occupational therapist in Ontario are:

A Bachelor of Science degree or Master of Science in Occupational Therapy obtained in Canada or an academic qualification considered equivalent by the College’s Registration Committee.
If educated outside Canada, education is reviewed by the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO). ACOTRO ensures the education is substantially equivalent to the content of an Ontario occupational therapy program.

Successful completion of 1000 hours of fieldwork or clinical practicum as part of the education program.

Graduation from an approved occupational therapy program within the past 18 months, or
600 hours of occupational therapy practice within the past 3 years, or
Successful completion of a College-approved Refresher Program within the last 18 months.

Successful completion of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists’ National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (NOTCE).

Professional liability insurance with a sexual abuse therapy and counseling fund endorsement is mandatory for registration with the College. The requirements for professional liability insurance are set out in Part 19 of the College bylaws.

Two occupational therapists looking at an ipad

The College must be satisfied that you will practice occupational therapy safely and ethically. This requirement includes submission of a current Vulnerable Sector (VS) Check.

Must be able to speak and write either English or French with reasonable fluency.
Individuals whose first language is not English or French, or whose occupational therapy education was not in English or French, must provide evidence of fluency.

Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada or be authorized under the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, 2001 to engage in work as an occupational therapist.

Hiring new graduates

If you’re hiring a new occupational therapy graduate, you’ll need to make sure they are eligible to work for you.

Confirm Registration

All occupational therapists who are registered to work in Ontario are listed on the Register of Occupational Therapists. Use the register to confirm the registration status of a prospective employee. As an employer, you have a duty to ensure employees are registered. If someone is working as an occupational therapist without being registered with the College, they’re engaged in unauthorized practice.

Concerns & Limitations

At this time, you can also check for any information regarding concerns, restrictions or limitations on an occupational therapist’s practice.

Hiring occupational therapists who are returning to practice

If you’re hiring an occupational therapist who is returning to practice with a temporary certificate, you will still need to ensure they’re publicly registered to work.

Verify Registration Status

When an occupational therapist is returning from a leave, verify their status on the Register of Occupational Therapists. Many occupational therapists resign their College registration when they take a leave from employment. Until they register again, they’re not legally permitted to practice.

Supervision

Many individuals returning from a leave are required to complete a learning plan and/or a period of practice supervised by a registered occupational therapist to refresh their knowledge, skills and abilities.

Learn More About Supervision

Hiring provisional practice occupational therapists

Confirm Registration

Provisional registration is a class of registration that may be issued to applicants who are waiting to write the National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (NOTCE).

Supervision

Provisional occupational therapists may practice the full scope of occupational therapy under the supervision of a general occupational therapist who has been approved by the College. This will be listed on the Register of Occupational Therapists profile of all provisional occupational therapists.

Hiring occupational therapists from outside Ontario

Labour Mobility

There is a Labour Mobility Management Agreement (LMSA) in place, which is an agreement of the Association of Occupational Therapy Regulators (ACOTRO) enabling easy mobility of occupational therapists between provinces.
Occupational therapists registered in other Canadian provinces can apply for registration in Ontario. They must meet all COTO requirements, complete the application process, and arrange for completion of a Labour Mobility Application Form and Regulatory History Form by their regulatory body.
An applicant from another province may not begin working* in Ontario as an OT until they are registered with COTO and have received written confirmation and a registration number. *Working as an OT includes participating in orientation or training at the workplace.

Confirm Registration

All occupational therapists who are registered to work in Ontario are listed on the Register of Occupational Therapists. Use it to confirm the registration status of a prospective employee.
As an employer, you have a duty to ensure employees are registered.
If there is any information regarding concerns, restrictions, or limitations on an occupational therapist’s practice, you’ll find it on the public register.
If someone is working as an occupational therapist (that includes orientation or training at your workplace) without being registered with the College, they’re engaged in unauthorized practice.

Hiring occupational therapy assistants

Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) deliver services assigned and supervised by occupational therapists.

OTAs are not regulated in Ontario. COTO does not set educational requirements or guidance for the employment of occupational therapy assistants (OTAs).

COTO has professional standards for occupational therapists who supervise OTAs. Find more information about occupational therapists working with OTAs in the Standard for the Supervision of Students and Occupational Therapy Assistants.