Providing Remote (Virtual) Services Across Jurisdictions

Providing Remote (Virtual) Services Across Jurisdictions

Prior to providing remote (virtual) services to clients outside of Ontario, occupational therapists are encouraged to contact the regulatory authority in the other region, because other jurisdictions may have different requirements for providing remote services.

Similarly, occupational therapists who want to provide remote services while they themselves are located outside of Ontario also need to contact the regulator in that region and comply with any local requirements.

Refer to COTO’s guidance on Remote (Virtual) Services, 2024.

In Canada

COTO signed and adopted the Memorandum of Understanding on Cross-Jurisdiction Remote Practice. Under this agreement, occupational therapists registered in Ontario who want to provide remote services to clients located in:

  • Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon are permitted do so under their Ontario registration. Occupational therapists are encouraged to confirm any local requirements with the provincial regulator.
  • Quebec and Saskatchewan: occupational therapists must contact the regulators in these provinces to obtain special authorization to provide remote services.
  • British Columbia: occupational therapists must be registered in British Columbia (BC) to provide remote services.

These rules apply whether clients are temporarily or permanently located outside of Ontario.

Occupational therapists registered in other provinces

With the exception of British Columbia, occupational therapists who are registered with any province listed above may provide remote services from their province to clients located in Ontario without having to be registered with COTO.

Occupational therapists registered in British Columbia must register to practice in Ontario to provide remote services to clients located in Ontario.

Apply to register as an occupational therapist in Ontario.

Outside of Canada

  • To provide remote services to clients outside of Canada, occupational therapists should contact the regulatory authority in that region and determine if registration is required to provide remote occupational therapy services.
  • If the occupational therapist is located outside of Canada and wants to provide remote services to their Ontario client, the clinician should contact the regulator in that region and comply with any local requirements.

When an occupational therapist does not need to be registered in the secondary jurisdiction

If an occupational therapist is providing education remotely in the form of an online workshop/webinar, etc. to an audience in another jurisdiction, the occupational therapist does not need to be registered in the secondary jurisdiction.

The presenting therapist(s) must introduce themselves as an occupational therapist currently registered/licensed to practice in their own jurisdiction.

Rules for in-person services

The rules for in-person services are unchanged. To provide in-person services to a client in Ontario, occupational therapists must obtain temporary or general registration in Ontario.

What if a client has concerns about the occupational therapy services they received?

Occupational therapists must abide by regulatory Code of Ethics and applicable professional standards and guidance in the province where they are regulated.

If a client has concerns about the services they received, they can file a complaint with any regulatory organization where the occupational therapist is registered.

List of provincial occupational therapy regulators

For questions, please contact the Practice Resource Service.