Occupational Therapy

To work as an occupational therapist in British Columbia, you must register with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC).

You may begin working (or participating in orientation or training at the workplace) as an occupational therapist once you are registered with the College and have received written confirmation and a registration number.

Apply into one of the following Registration categories:

Full Registration

Apply as a Full practicing registrant with no restrictions to practice as an occupational therapist.

Provisional Registration

Apply as a Provisional registrant practising under the general supervision of a full registrant until the national exam requirement has been met.

Temporary Registration

A temporary registrant is an occupational therapist who is registered to practise in good standing in another jurisdiction and intends to visit British Columbia for education purposes, emergency services, or a purpose to be approved by the registrar for a maximum of 30 days.

Fees

Review the Fee section for more information on First Time Applicant Fees.

Documentation Requirements

All new applicants must provide evidence that they meet the set requirements by completing all documentation described below.

Notarized Identification: All applicants must provide two (2) pieces of notarized ID as part of their application. A notary public or lawyer must verify both copies with a stamp and/or seal. Photocopies not notarized will not be accepted. Have your notarized ID ready before starting your application, as required in Step 1.

Official Transcript or Interim Letter from the University: Request an official transcript or declare you will request an official transcript once it is ready and upload this document where indicated. If you are a new grad, ensure the interim letter from your university indicates that you have met all requirements for graduation and that it is emailed directly to the College. As a new grad, official transcripts are printed after convocation stating the degree has been awarded/granted. Please arrange for these to be sent after the convocation.

Criminal Record Check: All applicants must complete a new criminal record check at the time of application and every five years after that. Follow the instructions on the application form to give CHCPBC consent to initiate the criminal record check on your behalf. You will consent to the initial criminal records and the five-year re-check while registered with CHCPBC.

Professional Liability Insurance: Upload your current liability insurance.

NOTCE Certificate or Confirmation of Registration: Upload a copy of your NOTCE certificate or confirmation of registration that you are sitting the next available exam.

Employer Acknowledgment: Supervision is required if you are applying for provisional registration and have not completed the NOTCE. Once you have secured employment, complete this form and email it to the College or upload it with your application. For more information on supervision, see Guidelines for General Supervision.

Regulatory History Form: If you have ever been registered in another province/state or country, complete the first section of the Regulatory History Form and send it to all the regulatory organizations you have been licensed with. RHFs should be dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of your application.

Labour Mobility Support Agreement (LMSA) Form: If you are currently registered (practising) in another Canadian province, you are eligible to apply under the LMSA. Have the LMSA form and regulatory history form sent to your current regulatory organization for them to complete. They will, in return, send a copy of your transcript, NOTCE results, and the regulatory history form to CHCPBC. Applicants who have been registered with any regulatory (health and/or non-health) agency in the past must complete the first section of the Regulatory History Form and send it to all the regulatory organizations you have been licensed with. The agency(ies) will send the form directly to the CHCPBC. All the RHFs should be dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of your application.

English Language Proficiency: An applicant must be proficient in English to practice Occupational Therapy in British Columbia. If English is not your first language or it was not the language of instruction in your OT education, you will be required to complete an English Fluency Test. If you are an Internationally Educated OT (IEOT), this would have been assessed as part of your SEAS assessment.

Submit Online Application

Click on the online application link below to start the application process.

• Click on sign up to set up a new account. Have your notarized ID before creating your online account, as you will need to upload before proceeding.
• Do not create duplicate accounts as this will delay your application.
• You may save your work and return later by logging in with the credentials you initially set up.
• Once you have completed the form, click the Submit button. On submission, you will be required to pay an application fee and Criminal Record Check fee.
• Note: Do not use Internet Explorer as it is no longer supported. Instead, use Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, etc.

Apply Online

Internationally educated occupational therapists (IEOTs) looking to register for practice anywhere in Canada (except Quebec) must apply to the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO) and proceed through the Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS). This includes Canadian citizens educated abroad. You must complete the SEAS process through ACOTRO before you can apply for registration with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC).

To work as an occupational therapist in British Columbia, you must register with the College. You may begin working (or participating in orientation or training at the workplace) as an occupational therapist once you are registered with the College and have received written confirmation and a registration number.

Internationally Educated Occupational Therapist (IEOT) Credential Assessment and Education Bursary Program

The Province of British Columbia recently announced a bursary to support internationally educated allied health professionals (including occupational therapists) who want to work in BC’s healthcare system. The bursary became available on January 15, 2024, and eligible expenses can be reimbursed retroactively to July 19, 2022.

To learn more about the bursary, including detailed eligibility criteria and application procedures, refer to Allied Health Jobs BC.

Apply into one of the following Registration categories:

Full Registration

Apply as a Full practising registrant with no restrictions to practice as an occupational therapist.

Provisional Registration

Apply as a Provisional registrant practicing under the general supervision of a full registrant until the national exam requirement has been met.

Fees

Review the Fees section for more information on First Time Applicant Fees.

Documentation Requirements

All new applicants must provide evidence that they meet the set requirements by completing all documentation described below.

SEAS Determination Report: Request that ACOTRO send your SEAS Certificate of Completion and SEAS Determination Report to the College.

Notarized Identification: All applicants must provide two (2) pieces of notarized ID as part of their application. A notary public or lawyer must verify both copies with a stamp and/or seal. Photocopies not notarized will not be accepted. Have your notarized ID ready before starting your application as it is required in Step 1.

Criminal Record Check: All applicants must complete a new criminal record check at the time of application and every five years after that. Follow the instructions on the application form to give CHCPBC consent to initiate the criminal record check on your behalf. You will consent to the initial criminal records and the five-year re-check while registered with CHCPBC.

Professional Liability Insurance: Upload your current liability insurance.

NOTCE Certificate or Confirmation of Registration: Upload a copy of your NOTCE certificate or confirmation of registration that you are sitting the next available exam.

Employer Acknowledgment: Supervision is required if you are applying for provisional registration and have not completed the NOTCE. Once you have secured employment, complete this form and email it to the College or upload it with your application. For more information on supervision, see Guidelines for General Supervision.

Regulatory History Form: If you have ever been registered in another province/state or country, complete the first section of the Regulatory History Form and send it to all the regulatory organizations you have been licensed with. RHFs should be dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of your application.

Submit Online Application

Click on the online application link below to start the application process.

• Click on sign up to set up a new account. Be sure to have your notarized ID before creating your online account, as you will need to upload it before proceeding.
• Do not create duplicate accounts, as this will delay your application.
• You may save your work and return later by logging in with the credentials you initially set up.
• Once you have completed the form, click the Submit button. On submission, you will be required to pay an application fee and Criminal Record Check fee.
• Note: Do not use Internet Explorer as it is no longer supported. Instead, use Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, etc.

Apply Online

If you are registered as an occupational therapist in another province and are applying for registration in British Columbia, you must first register with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC) and receive a registration number before starting to work. Working as an OT includes participating in orientation or training at the workplace.

You are eligible to apply to CHCPBC under the Labour Mobility Support Agreement (LMSA)  if you hold current registration with another Canadian regulator. In this case, the jurisdiction from which you are applying will provide CHCPBC with your official transcripts, evidence of successful completion of the national exam, and any relevant letters of good standing.

While you may qualify to apply under the LMSA, you may apply to the College as a new Canadian Educated Applicant. If you have questions about which pathway to apply under, please contact us to discuss your options.

Apply into one of the following Registration categories:

Full Registration

Apply as a Full practising registrant with no restrictions to practice as an occupational therapist.

Provisional Registration

Apply as a Provisional registrant practising under general supervision of a full registrant until the national exam requirement has been met.

Fees

Review the Fees section for more information on First Time Applicant Fees.

Documentation Requirements

All new applicants must provide evidence that they meet the set requirements by completing all necessary documentation described below.

Notarized Identification: All applicants must provide two (2) pieces of notarized ID as part of their application. A notary public or lawyer must verify both copies with a stamp and/or seal. Photocopies not notarized will not be accepted. Have your notarized ID ready before starting your application as required in Step 1.

Photocopies not notarized will not be accepted. Have your notarized ID ready before starting your application as it is required in Step 1.

Criminal Record Check: All applicants must complete a new criminal record check at the time of application and every five years after that. Follow the instructions on the application form to give CHCPBC consent to initiate the criminal record check on your behalf. You will consent to the initial criminal records and the five-year re-check while registered with CHCPBC.

Labour Mobility Support Agreement (LMSA) Form: Complete the first section of the LMSA form and send it to the Canadian regulatory organization that you are currently registered with.

Regulatory History Form: Complete the first section of the Regulatory History Form and send it to all the regulatory organizations you have been licensed with. RHFs should be dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of your application.

Professional Liability Insurance: Upload your current liability insurance.

Employer Acknowledgment: Supervision is required if you are applying for provisional registration and have not completed the NOTCE. Once you have secured employment, complete this form and email it to the College or upload it with your application. For more information on supervision, see Guidelines for General Supervision.

English Language Proficiency: An applicant must be proficient in English to practice Occupational Therapy in British Columbia. If English is not your first language or it was not the language of instruction in your OT education, you will be required to complete an English Fluency Test. If you are an Internationally Educated OT (IEOT), this would have been assessed as part of your SEAS assessment.

Submit Online Application

Click on the online application link below to start the application process.

• Click on sign up to set up a new account. Be sure to have your notarized ID before creating your online account as you will need to upload it before proceeding.
• Do not create duplicate accounts, as this will delay your application.
• You may save your work and return later by logging in with the credentials you initially set up.
• Once you have completed the form, click the Submit button. On submission, you will be required to pay the application fee of $325 and Criminal Record Check fee of $28.
• Note: Do not use Internet Explorer as it is no longer supported. Instead, use Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, etc.

Apply Online

A temporary registrant is an occupational therapist who is registered to practice in good standing in another jurisdiction and intends to visit British Columbia for education purposes, emergency services or a purpose to be approved by the registrar for a maximum of 30 days.

See the Practice Across Jurisdictions page for more information on the parameters of Temporary registration.

Fees

For information on fees, see the Fees section. All fees must be paid in Canadian dollars.

Documentation Requirements

Note: All forms can be found under Registration Documents for Occupational Therapists.

Notarized Identification: All applicants must provide two (2) pieces of notarized ID as part of their application. A notary public or lawyer must verify both copies with a stamp and/or seal. Photocopies not notarized will not be accepted. Have your notarized ID ready before starting your application, as required in Step 1.

Criminal Record Check: All applicants must complete a new criminal record check at the time of application. Follow the instructions on the application form to give CHCPBC consent to initiate the criminal record check on your behalf.

Professional Liability Insurance: Upload your current liability insurance if available.

Regulatory History Form: Complete the first section of the form and forward it to the regulatory organization you are currently registered with. Have them complete the rest of the form and email it to the College office. If you have ever been registered in another province/state or country, complete the first section of the Regulatory History Form and send it to all the regulatory organizations you have been licensed with. RHFs should be dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of your application.

Submit Online Application

Click on the online application link below to start the application process.

• Click on sign up to set up a new account. Be sure to have your notarized ID before creating your online account as you will need to upload it before proceeding.
• Do not create duplicate accounts, as this will delay your application.
• You may save your work and return later by logging in with the credentials you initially set up.
• Once you have completed the form, click the Submit button. On submission, you will be required to pay an application fee and Criminal Record Check fee.
• Note: Do not use Internet Explorer as it is no longer supported. Instead, use Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, etc.

Apply Online

Applying for Registration in Another Province

If you are applying for registration as an occupational therapist (OT) in another province and would like to apply under the provisions of the Labour Mobility Support Agreement (LMSA), please print the Labour Mobility Support Agreement Form and Regulatory History Form from the website of the organization where you are applying.

Fill in the Authorization for Release of Information section of the forms and send them directly to CHCPBC. Processing will not begin until payment has been received. Please allow at least one week for processing.

Request for Letter of Professional Standing

If you require a letter of professional standing to be completed by CHCPBC and sent to another organization, contact the registration team with your request.  There is no fee for this service. Please allow at least one week for processing.

Registration Forms:

• Employer Acknowledgment Form
• Regulatory History Form
• LMSA Form

Registration Documents:

• Registration Guide for New Graduates from Canadian Programs
• Guidelines for General Supervision
• Re-Entry – Competence Confirmation Practicum (CCP) Information Guide
• LMSA Agreement

To view the CHCPBC Fee Schedule, see the Fees page.

All fees must be paid in Canadian dollars.

Refund policy

There is no refund of the application fee or the registration fee.

All occupational therapists must be insured against liability for negligence of at least two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence. In BC, some employers provide occupational therapists with liability insurance that meets CHCPBC requirements. Professional liability insurance may also be purchased through CAOT or AON Healthcare Advantage.

The National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (NOTCE) assesses the written application of academic knowledge and professional behaviour of individuals entering the occupational therapy profession in Canada. Successful completion of the NOTCE is a registration requirement for occupational therapists to work in BC. See the NOTCE webpage for more information.

The Criminal Record Check (CRC) is a mandatory requirement under the Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) for registrants of a regulated profession. It must be done at initial registration, when reinstating from Inactive (Former) and every five years thereafter.

The CRC program is a government-driven process that regulators like CHCPBC are required to enforce. Not having a current CRC is in contravention of the CRRA. For more information on the Criminal Record Check, visit Criminal Record Check BC.

The criminal record consent form is built into the occupational therapist online application, renewal, and reinstatement form and CHCPBC will initiate the CRC check on the applicant / occupational therapists’ behalf.

• Currency Hours Requirement (PDF)
• Education and Fieldwork Qualifications (PDF)
• English Language Proficiency (PDF)
• General Supervision (Provisional Registrants) (PDF)
• Identity Documents (PDF)
• National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (PDF)
• Practicing While Not Registered (PDF)
• Re-Entry Program (PDF)
• Revocation of Registration (PDF)
• Validity of Applications and Supporting Documents (PDF)