Occupational Therapists and

Provisional Occupational Therapists

The College issues practice permits to Alberta occupational therapists in two categories. Depending on the circumstances of application, occupational therapists are registered on the College’s General Register or Provisional Register.

Occupational Therapists

A registered Occupational Therapist in Alberta holds a General Register permit to practice and has demonstrated and provided documented proof of the combined knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgment required to provide professional services as defined by the Health Professions Act.

Occupational Therapists registered to the General Register ‘with condition’ may be (1) an internationally-educated occupational therapist (IEOT) applicant to the College who is completing a supervised practicum and/or coursework or other training requirement; or (2) an occupational therapist re-entering the profession with less currency hours accrued than the minimum legislative requirement and is completing a supervised practicum and/or coursework or other training requirement. The conditional status is lifted when all requirements have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the College Registrar.

Provisional Occupational Therapists

A Provisional Occupational Therapist practices under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist registered on the General Register of the College.

Provisional permits may be granted to occupational therapists who are (1) new graduates in the process of completing application requirements - the applicant may be waiting for conferment of their degree, completion of the national certification exam, or submission of examination results to the College; (2) re-entering the profession after a period of absence and are unable to demonstrate the currency of their practice – they may be required to write or re-write the national certification exam, complete a supervised practicum and complete any coursework or training requirements identified during the competency assessment; or (3) IEOT applicants who have been assessed on the basis of substantial equivalence but may be waiting to write the national certification exam or complete a supervised practicum. Provisional Register permits are valid for up to one year.