Occupational Therapy

The information in this section is for you if:

• You have completed your education that qualifies you as an occupational therapist from a recognized program as listed in Schedule 5 of the CHCPBC Bylaws, and
• You have not yet become licensed to practise in Canada

To work as an occupational therapist in British Columbia, you must be licensed 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 licensed with the College and have received written confirmation and a licensee number.

Provisional licensure

To apply as a Provisional licensee practising under the general supervision of a Full licensee until your national exam requirement has been met, see the Provisional section.

Documentation requirements

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

Notarized Identification: Applicants must submit two pieces of identification that meet the requirements AND are on the lists of accepted identification. Identification must:

• Be valid and unexpired.
• Be notarized and verified in their original form by a notary public or lawyer; other professionals will not be accepted. Notary’s stamp and the date must be visible.
• Include at least one primary identification from the list linked below.
• Include your legal name that matches the name on the application form.
• Include at least one with your date of birth and signature.

Please see Identity Documents policy Appendix A for a list of accepted primary and secondary identification.

Official Transcript: Request an official transcript to be sent by your university to licensure@chcpbc.org.

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.  For more information, please see Criminal Record Check for Health and Care Professionals.

If you have practiced a health profession outside of Canada within the past 5 years you will also be required to obtain a Criminal Record Check – Outisde of Canada.

Professional liability insurance: Please visit our Professional Liability Insurance page for details about the insurance requirements that apply to all licensees. Many OTs obtain their coverage through the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), Aon Healthcare Advantage, or Zensurance—all of which provide coverage meeting the College’s requirements.

NOTCE Certificate: Upload a copy of your NOTCE certificate or results.

Verification of Licensure (Regulatory History Form): If you have ever been licensed in another province/state or country, complete the first section of the Regulatory History Form and send it to all jurisdictions where you are or were licensed as an OT or other regulated healthcare professional. These forms 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 was not the language of instruction in your OT education, you will be required to complete an English proficiency test.

Jurisprudence Exam

You are required to pass the occupational therapist’s jurisprudence examination, which assesses your understanding of the rules and expectations you are expected to follow when you practice in BC and how to apply them. The examination is open book. Once your application is complete, we will send you further instructions about how to access the exam. There is no additional fee for this.

Please note: The jurisprudence exam is temporally on hold. A new jurisprudence exam is under development, and licensees will be notified directly if and when they are required to complete it.

Submit Online Application

You are now ready to start the application process.

• Select “Sign up” to set up a new account on the CHCPBC Licensee Portal. 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.
• Select “Full application” and choose “Not licensed elsewhere in Canada; Graduated from non-recognized program” from the drop-down menu.
• Once you have completed the form and uploaded the required documents, select the “Submit” button. On submission, you will be required to pay the application fee.
• Licensure staff will review your application while we wait for all documents from third parties to arrive. Once we have received them, Licensure staff may ask for further information.
• When we have no further questions, Licensure staff will send you the link to the jurisprudence exam if you are required to take it.
• When you have passed the jurisprudence exam, we will send you the link to pay the licence fees. Once you have paid the licence fee, your application for licensure is complete.

The information in this section is for you if:

• You have completed your education that qualifies you as an occupational therapist from a non-recognized program not listed in Schedule 5 of the CHCPBC Bylaws, and have completed credentialing through Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS), and
• You have not yet become licensed to practise in Canada

Internationally educated occupational therapists (IEOTs) looking topractise 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 licensure with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC).

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

Provisional licensure

To apply as a Provisional licensee practising under the general supervision of a Full licensee until your national exam requirement has been met, see the Provisional section.

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: Applicants must submit two pieces of identification that meet the requirements AND are on the lists of accepted identification. Identification must:

• Be valid and unexpired.
• Be notarized and verified in their original form by a notary public or lawyer; other professionals will not be accepted. Notary’s stamp and the date must be visible.
• Include at least one primary identification from the list linked below.
• Include your legal name that matches the name on the application form.
• Include at least one with your date of birth and signature.

Please see Identity Documents policy Appendix A for a list of accepted primary and secondary identification.

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.  For more information, please see Criminal Record Check for Health and Care Professionals.

If you have practiced a health profession outside of Canada within the past 5 years you will also be required to obtain a Criminal Record Check – Outside of Canada.

Professional liability insurance: Please visit our Professional Liability Insurance page for details about the insurance requirements that apply to all licensees. Many OTs obtain their coverage through the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), Aon Healthcare Advantage, or Zensurance—all of which provide coverage meeting the College’s requirements.

NOTCE Certificate or Confirmation of Registration: Upload a copy of your NOTCE certificate or results.

Verification of Licensure (Regulatory History Form): If you have ever been licensed 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. These forms 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 was not the language of instruction in your OT education, you will be required to complete an English proficiency test. As an Internationally Educated OT (IEOT), this would have been assessed as part of your SEAS assessment.

Jurisprudence Exam: You are required to pass the occupational therapist’s jurisprudence examination, which assesses your understanding of the rules and expectations you are expected to follow when you practice in BC and how to apply them. The examination is open book. Once your application is complete, we will send you further instructions about how to access the exam. There is no additional fee for this.

Please note: The jurisprudence exam is temporally on hold. A new jurisprudence exam is under development, and licensees will be notified directly if and when they are required to complete it.

Submit Online Application

You are now ready to start the application process.

• Select “Sign up” to set up a new account on the CHCPBC Licensee Portal. 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.
• Select “Full application” and choose “Not licensed elsewhere in Canada; Graduated from non-recognized program” from the drop-down menu.
• Once you have completed the form and uploaded the required documents, select the “Submit” button. On submission, you will be required to pay the application fee.
• Licensure staff will review your application while we wait for all documents from third parties to arrive. Once we have received them, Licensure staff may ask for further information.
• When we have no further questions, Licensure staff will send you the link to the jurisprudence exam if you are required to take it.
• When you have passed the jurisprudence exam, we will send you the link to pay the licence fees. Once you have paid the licence fee, your application for licensure is complete.

The information in this section is for you if you are:

• Currently licensed as an occupational therapist in another Canadian province
• Educated in Canada OR educated outside of Canada

If you meet the two criteria listed below, you are eligible for a streamlined licensing process using the Labour Mobility Support Agreement (LMSA):

1. The registration or licence type you hold elsewhere in Canada is equivalent to our Full licence category. This means that you practise independently with no limits or conditions on your licence. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet a jurisdiction’s licensure requirements.
2. Your licensure elsewhere in Canada is effective at the time your application is approved by the Licence Committee.

If your licensure elsewhere in Canada expires before your CHCPBC application is approved, you do not meet the second eligibility criterion; you may apply for a Full licence, but you will have to provide additional information.

If you are not sure if this applies to your situation, please contact us at licensure@chcpbc.org.

Temporary licensure

Apply for a temporary licence for education purposes, emergency services, or a purpose to be approved by the registrar for a maximum of 30 days. See Temporary Licensure for more information.

Documentation Requirements

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

Notarized Identification: Applicants must submit two pieces of identification that meet the requirements AND are on the lists of accepted identification. Identification must:

• Be valid and unexpired.
• Be notarized and verified in their original form by a notary public or lawyer; other professionals will not be accepted. Notary’s stamp and the date must be visible.
• Include at least one primary identification from the list linked below.
• Include your legal name that matches the name on the application form.
• Include at least one with your date of birth and signature.

Please see Identity Documents policy Appendix A for a list of accepted primary and secondary identification.

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.  For more information, please see Criminal Record Check for Health and Care Professionals.

If you have practiced a health profession outside of Canada within the past 5 years you will also be required to obtain a Criminal Record Check – Outside of Canada.

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 licensed with.

Verification of Licensure (Regulatory History Form): Complete the first section of the Regulatory History Form and send it to all jurisdictions where you are or were licensed as an occupational therapist or other regulated healthcare professional. These forms should be dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of your application.

Professional liability insurance: Please visit our Professional Liability Insurance page for details about the insurance requirements that apply to all licensees. Many OTs obtain their coverage through the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), Aon Healthcare Advantage, or Zensurance—all of which provide coverage meeting the College’s requirements.

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

Jurisprudence Exam

You are required to pass the occupational therapist’s jurisprudence examination, which assesses your understanding of the rules and expectations you are expected to follow when you practice in BC and how to apply them. The examination is open book. Once your application is complete, we will send you further instructions about how to access the exam. There is no additional fee for this.

Please note: The jurisprudence exam is temporally on hold. A new jurisprudence exam is under development, and licensees will be notified directly if and when they are required to complete it.

Submit Online Application

You are now ready to start the application process.

• Select “Sign up” to set up a new account on the CHCPBC Licensee Portal. 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.
• Select “Full application” and choose “Not licensed elsewhere in Canada; Graduated from non-recognized program” from the drop-down menu.
• Once you have completed the form and uploaded the required documents, select the “Submit” button. On submission, you will be required to pay the application fee.
• Licensure staff will review your application while we wait for all documents from third parties to arrive. Once we have received them, Licensure staff may ask for further information.
• When we have no further questions, Licensure staff will send you the link to the jurisprudence exam if you are required to take it.
• When you have passed the jurisprudence exam, we will send you the link to pay the licence fees. Once you have paid the licence fee, your application for licensure is complete.

The information in this section is for you if: 

• Have not yet passed the Entry to Practice Exam (NOTCE) and seeking to practice under supervision, and  
• You have completed your education that qualifies you as an occupational therapist from a recognized program as listed in Schedule 5 of the CHCPBC Bylaws, 
  or
  You have completed your education that qualifies you as an occupational therapist from a non-recognized program not listed in Schedule 5 of the CHCPBC Bylaws and have completed credentialing through Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS).

To work as an occupational therapist in British Columbia, you must be licensed 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 licensed with the College and have received written confirmation and a licensee number. 

Provisional licensees:

• May hold their provisional status for up to one year, during which they may attempt the entry-to-practice examination up to two times. 
• Must practise under the supervision of an OT who holds a Full licence in good standing and has been approved by CHCPBC. 
• Must use the word “provisional” in conjunction with their use of an Exclusive Title. 
• May not practise under the supervision of more than two supervisors.

See the Provisional Licensure policy for additional details. 

Documentation requirements

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

Notarized Identification:  

Applicants must submit two pieces of identification that meet the requirements AND are on the lists of accepted identification. Identification must: 

• Be valid and unexpired. 
• Be notarized and verified in their original form by a notary public or lawyer; other professionals will not be accepted. Notary’s stamp and the date must be visible. 
• Include at least one primary identification from the list linked below. 
• Include your legal name that matches the name on the application form. 
• Include at least one with your date of birth and signature.

Please see Identity Documents policy Appendix A for a list of accepted primary and secondary identification. 

Recognized Program: Request an interim Letter from your Canadian University. As a new graduate from a recognized Canadian program, request an interim letter from your university that indicates you have met all requirements for graduation and that it is emailed to licensure@chcpbc.org. 
OR 
Non-Recognized Program: Request that ACOTRO send your SEAS Certificate of Completion and SEAS Determination Report to the College.  

Verification of Licensure (Regulatory History Form): If you have ever been licensed in another province/state or country, complete the first section of the Regulatory History Form and send it to all jurisdiction(s) where you are or were licensed as an occupational therapist, or as another regulated healthcare professional. The forms should be dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of your application approval. 

Entry to Practice Exam: Upload a copy of your confirmation of registration that you are taking the next available NOTCE exam. 

Professional Liability Insurance:  Please visit our Professional Liability Insurance page for details about the insurance requirements that apply to all licensees. Many OTs obtain their coverage through the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), Aon Healthcare Advantage, or Zensurance—all of which provide coverage meeting the College’s requirements.

Criminal Record Check (CRC): 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.  For more information, please see Criminal Record Check for Health and Care Professionals.

If you have practiced a health profession outside of Canada within the past 5 years you will also be required to obtain a Criminal Record Check – Outside of Canada.  

Supervision Agreement Form: Supervision is required if you are applying for a Provisional licence with the intention to working and have not passed the NOTCE. Once you have secured employment, complete this form and upload it with your application.

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

If you passed an approved English Language Test  within the past 2 years, request the test result be shared directly with the CHCPBC. 

Applicants who are required to complete an approved English language proficiency test must arrange for their test results to be sent directly to CHCPBC by the testing organization. 

If you choose to complete the TOEFL, IELTS or CELPIP, please follow the instructions below to arrange for your test results to be sent directly to CHCPBC. 

For other approved English language proficiency tests, please contact the testing organization directly for instructions on how to arrange for your test results to be sent to CHCPBC. 

TOEFL

Use institution code D018 when selecting the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC) as a score recipient. 

IELTS 

• Log in to your IELTS account or test-taker portal. 
• Select “Request a Test Report Form.” 
• Search for and select “College of Health and Care Professionals of BC”. 
• Submit the request. 

CELPIP 

• Log in to your CELPIP account. 
• Go to “Request a Add Receiving Institution” section. 
• Search for and select “College of Health and Care Professionals of BC”. 
• Submit the request.

Jurisprudence Exam: You are required to pass the occupational therapist’s jurisprudence examination, which assesses your understanding of the rules and expectations you are expected to follow when you practice in BC and how to apply them. The examination is open book. Once your application is complete, we will send you further instructions about how to access the exam. There is no additional fee for this. 

Please note: The jurisprudence exam is temporally on hold. A new jurisprudence exam is under development, and licensees will be notified directly if and when they are required to complete it. 

Submit Online Application

You are now ready to start the application process. 

• Select “Sign up” to set up a new account on the CHCPBC Licensee Portal. 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. 
• Select Provisional application and choose either from the drop-down menu based on the description above. 
• “Not licensed elsewhere in Canada; Graduated from a recognized program” or, 
• “Not licensed elsewhere in Canada; Graduated from a non-recognized program”  
• Once you have completed the form and uploaded required documents, select the “Submit” button. On submission, you will be required to pay an application fee. 
• Licensure staff will review your application while we wait for all documents from third parties to arrive. Once we have received them, licensure staff may ask for further information. 
• When we have no further questions, licensure staff will send you the link to the jurisprudence exam if you are required to take it.  
• When you have passed the jurisprudence exam, we will send you the link to pay the licence fees. Once you have paid the licence fee, your application for licensure is complete. 

A temporary licensee 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.

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

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 pieces of notarized government-issued 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 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.

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 licensed with. Have them complete the rest of the form and email it to the College office. If you have ever been licensed 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

Select the “Apply Online” link below to start the application process.

• Select “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, select the “Submit” button. On submission, you will be required to pay applicable fees.

Apply Online

Note: Do not use Internet Explorer, as it is no longer supported. Instead, use Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, etc.

Applying for licensure in another province

If you are applying for licensure 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 Licensure team with your request.  There is no fee for this service. Please allow at least one week for processing.

Licensure forms:

• Regulatory History Form
• LMSA Form
• Supervision Agreement for Provisional Licensees

Licensure documents:

• 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.

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 licensees in a regulated profession. It must be done at initial application, when reinstating, 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 CHCPBC’s online applications for initial licensure, renewal, and reinstatement. The Licensure team initiates criminal record checks on behalf of occupational therapists.

See Regulatory Policies for a list of CHCPBC’s licensure policies under the Health Professions and Occupations Act.