Occupational Therapists – Applicants

For Applicants

For occupational therapists to practise in BC and use the reserved title “Occupational Therapist” or “OT” they must be registered with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC). Each year, occupational therapists must also renew their registration with the College.

When an individual first applies for registration with the College, the Registration Committee verifies that they meet the educational requirements and practice standards to enter the profession. Upon satisfying these criteria, the registration can proceed. After paying the required fee, the individual is registered to practice in BC and may use the title ‘Occupational Therapist’ or “OT”.

Registering with the College demonstrates an individual’s respect for the public’s right to safe, ethical, and effective care, and acknowledges the College’s role in supporting and monitoring practice.

Choose the appropriate registration path below to learn how to register as an Occupational Therapist with CHCPBC.

If you have questions specific to registration for occupational therapists, please contact us at registration@chcpbc.org

Canadian Educated Applicants

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

Temporary registration can be at most 90 days in a calendar year (1-45 straight days twice a year or 1-90 consecutive days).

Fees

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

Currency Hours

Review Currency Hour Requirements for more information.

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. You will be invoiced for the $28 fee.

Professional Liability Insurance: Upload your current liability insurance if available. If not available, email a copy to the College once you receive it.

Eligibility to Work in Canada: Upload a copy of proof that you are authorized to work in Canada (e.g., a Canadian Passport, Birth Certificate, PR card, or Work Visa).

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.

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 any regulatory history forms they have on file to CHCPBC.

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 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

Internationally Educated Applicants

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 Fee section for more information on First Time Applicant Fees.

Currency Hours

Review Currency Hour Requirements for more information.

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.

Professional Liability Insurance: Upload your current liability insurance if available. If not available, email a copy once you receive it to the College.

Eligibility to Work in Canada: Upload a copy of proof you are authorized to work in Canada (i.e., a Canadian Passport, Birth Certificate, PR card, or Work Visa).

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.

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

Applicants Registered in Another Province

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 Fee section for more information on First Time Applicant Fees.

Currency Hours

Review Currency Hour Requirements for more information.

Documentation Requirements

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

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

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.

Professional Liability Insurance: Upload your current liability insurance if available. If not available, email a copy to the College once you receive it.

Eligibility to Work in Canada: Upload a copy of proof you are authorized to work in Canada (i.e., a Canadian Passport, Birth Certificate, PR card, or Work Visa).

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

Provisional Re-Entry Applicants

All applicants need to meet the College Bylaw regarding currency hour requirements (600 hours within the last three years). Applicants who do not meet the requirement must complete a re-entry program. These programs differ with each individual and must be approved by the Registration Committee, which checks that safeguards are in place to ensure no significant risk to public health and safety.

All re-entry programs include a competence confirmation practicum (CCP) where applicants have the opportunity to demonstrate that they meet the professional standards as outlined in the Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Canada.

The CCP requires applicants to work under the supervision of an occupational therapist with Full registration with the College. The required hours of supervised practice are based on the number of years they have been out of practice, as follows:

Out of practice less than three years, with less than 600 hours of practice = 150 hours in 90 days
Out of practice between three and five years = 300 hours in 180 days
Out of practice between five and 10 years = 600 hours in one year
Out of practice for over 10 years = 600 hours in one year

Applicants, especially those out of practice for more than 10 years, may also be required to participate in additional educational activities and pass the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam (NOTCE).

Applying for Provisional Re-entry: If you are a first-time applicant to CHCPBC, you will apply online as a new applicant for Provisional Re-Entry. To begin the application, sign up for an account within the Registrant Portal.

Prepare for Your Re-Entry Application

Note: All forms related to the Provisional Re-Entry application can be found within Registration Documents.

Before initiating the application, ensure you have the following documents ready:

Notarized Identification: All applicants must provide two (2) pieces of notarized ID as part of their application. Both copies must be verified by a notary public or lawyer 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.

CCP Proposal and Letter of Undertaking: Complete the supervision plan and letter of undertaking and upload them in the appropriate section within the online application or email them to the College once completed. As a reference, you can view a filled-out CCP Proposal Example.

Employer Acknowledgment: Complete the CCP Employer Acknowledgement Form with your CCP proposal. Once completed upload to the appropriate section within the online application, or email registration@chcpbc.org.

Criminal Record Check: CHCPBC initiates criminal record checks on behalf of registrants. Follow the instructions on the reinstatement form to give CHCPBC consent to begin the criminal record re-check on your behalf if required.

If you are moving from the Inactive-Former registration category to Practising registration, an updated criminal record check is mandatory.
If you are moving from the nonpractising category to Practising registration, a new criminal record check may be required. If you are currently in the nonpractising category CHCPBC will check if a new criminal record check is required upon your submitted form.

If a criminal record check is required, you will receive an invoice for $28.

Professional Liability Insurance: Upload your current liability insurance if available. If not available, email a copy to the College once you receive it.

After Your Re-entry Program is Complete

Once you have completed your Re-Entry program, fill out these two documents and submit them to registration@chcpbc.org.

Apply Online

Temporary Applicants

Temporary registration is a “courtesy” registration that recognizes that an occupational therapist is duly registered in another approved jurisdiction and provides access to practise and use of title in BC for a limited period for no more than 90 days in a calendar year. Options include: 1-45 consecutive days twice a year or 1-90 consecutive days within the calendar year.

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

Fees

$105.00 (1-45 days)
$210.00 (1-90 days)

Documentation Requirements

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

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. You will be invoiced for the $28 fee.

Professional Liability Insurance: Upload your current liability insurance if available. If not available email a copy once you receive it to the College.

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.

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

Practicing Outside of BC as an Occupational Therapist

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.

The LMSA fee is $40. To pay the fee, you will receive an email from the College with payment steps.

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 Documents for Occupational Therapists

Registration Forms:

Employer Acknowledgment Form
Regulatory History Form
LMSA Form
Re-Entry – Competence Confirmation Practicum (CCP) Forms:

Registration Documents:

Currency Hour Requirements

Currency refers to the required practice hours in each period and is considered one indicator of an occupational therapist’s continued competence.

Occupational therapists are required to have 600 practice hours within the profession’s scope of practice in the three years immediately preceding the date of application for initial registration, renewal or reinstatement.

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

Note: CHCPBC will consider an International Educated Occupational Therapist (IEOT) currency hours at the date of application to SEAS as long as the applicant completes the SEAS process within one year of their application to SEAS.

What Does this Mean for Registration Renewal Applications?

When renewing your registration, you must indicate that you have practised at least 600 hours in the immediate three years before registration. For instance, if you renewed on June 30, 2024, you must indicate that you have practised at least 600 hours since July 1, 2021.

For example:

If you work full-time, you will have accumulated at least 1,800 hours in the last year (based on 37.5 hours/week for 48 weeks/year).
If you work part-time in a half-time (.5) position, you will have accumulated at least 900 hours in the last year (based on 18.75 hours/week for 48 weeks/year).
If you work part-time and less than half-time but worked steadily in the past 3 years,you may also meet the requirement over 3 years (e.g., 6 hours/week for 48 weeks/year for 3 years is 864 hours).

Note: The calculations above are based on four weeks of holiday per year (the minimum required for employment standards, plus statutory holidays). If you receive more or less vacation, please adjust accordingly.

Occupational therapists at most significant risk of not meeting the currency requirements include individuals:

who work in casual positions where hours fluctuate;
who took practice leaves in the past three years; and/or
who changed their registration status to non-practising or cancelled their registration for any period during the past three years.

If You Have Less Than 600 Practice Hours in the Last Three Years

The Registration Committee will consider the hours you spent in other activities that support your continuing competence and the delivery of safe, ethical, and effective care. These activities may include participation in volunteer work and continuing professional development (both formal and informal study). However, these hours cannot exceed 25%, i.e., 150 hours, of the 600 required hours, and cannot have been accumulated while your registration status was non-practising or cancelled, or while you were participating in a re-entry program.

To apply for consideration, you will complete the Currency Hours Review Form. On this form, you will be asked for your:

Identifying information (full name, registration number);
Registration status for each of the past three years (full, provisional, temporary, non-practising, and/or cancelled);
Accumulated practice hours for each of the past three years, in the following four categories:
1. paid work
2. formal study
3. informal study
4. volunteer work

Note: Verification of these activities may be requested.

2024 Currency Hour Review Form

What is Considered Formal Study?

Formal Study is a period of structured study that a person or organization provides. This can include e-learning or any other type of course or program that is relevant to your practice and occupational therapy. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Post-graduate education resulting in a recognized degree from an accredited program, e.g. Graduate Certificate, Masters or PhD;
Advanced certification from recognized institutions, e.g. sensory integration, hand therapy;
Modules, courses or elements currently included in programs run by educational institutions; and
Programs offered by regulatory organizations.

What is Considered Informal Study?

Informal Study is a period of study you structure yourself. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Review of CHCPBC webinars, podcasts
Completion of learning modules
Review of Occupational Therapist Practice Standards and Advisory Statements
Critical appraisal of articles in practice publications, blogs, and scholarly journals
Participation in journal clubs
Participation in study groups, practice networks, etc.

What is Considered Volunteer Work?

Volunteer Hours are considered when the work falls within the definition of occupational therapy practice as outlined in the governing legislation (Occupational Therapists Regulation). Depending on the occupational therapist’s role, this work may include clinical or nonclinical work.

The Occupational Therapists Regulation presents the scope of practice as “A registrant may assess occupational performance and modify human and environmental conditions to maintain, restore or enhance occupational performance and health.” The regulation also defines occupational performance as “the ability to choose, organize and effectively and safely perform everyday activities necessary for self-care and participation in educational, leisure, home management and work activities.” OTs engaged in volunteer work as occupational therapists who wish to have these hours considered towards currency requirements must ensure that they abide by the formal structured components of occupational therapy practice (College Practice Standards).

If you will not meet the 600-hour requirement, despite these additional activities you may apply for provisional registration for the purpose of completing a re-entry program. See Return to Practice for further information on re-entry.

Fees

Occupational Therapist Registration Year: July 1 to June 30

All fees must be paid in Canadian Dollars.

Refund Policy

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

Applying for the First Time

New applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of $325 with their application.

When registering, new applicants are required to pay the annual registration fee or pro-rated portion as follows:

July 1 – June 30: $525
November 1 – June 30: $350
March 1 – June 30: $175

Applying for Reinstatement

Registration Fee: $525
If you are moving from non-practising and have paid the $125 previously, the fee is $400

Renewing Registration

Annual Registration Renewal Fee: $525
Non-Practicing Fee: $125

Renewal of your registration is required by June 30 each year to avoid a late fee penalty.

Temporary Registration Fees:

1-45 days: $105
1-90 days: $210

Professional Liability Insurance

All occupational therapists must be insured against liability for negligence of at least five million dollars ($5,000,000) 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.

Exams

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.

Criminal Record Check

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. The cost is $28 (invoiced to the applicant / registrant).