This section applies to you if you are an occupational therapist applying from another Canadian jurisdiction or you wish to re-enter the profession after a period of absence.
Occupational therapist from another Canadian jurisdiction
An occupational therapist licensed/registered in another Canadian jurisdiction may have his/her qualifications recognized for registration in Alberta under the Labour Mobility Support Agreement (LMSA) between provincial regulatory organizations.
Effective July 1, 2010, occupational therapists registered to practice in British Columbia and Saskatchewan will have his/her qualifications recognized for registration in Alberta under the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA). The New West Partnership Trade Agreement will supersede the former Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA).
Re-entry occupational therapist
The re-entry applicant is an occupational therapist applying to re-enter the profession after a period of absence and does not have sufficient currency hours for registration to the General Register. Re-entry applicants are registered either on the Provisional Register or on the General Register with condition, dependent on what registration requirements remain.
- Provisional Register for re-entry applicants
The Provisional Register permit may be issued when an applicant has no currency hours. The Registrar will determine whether the applicant must write or re-write the national certification exam. A supervised practicum is mandatory and completion thereafter of any coursework or training requirements that is identified during the competency assessment. The applicant will remain on the Provisional Register until completion of a satisfactory review by the Registrar.
- General Register with condition for re-entry applicants
Registration to the General Register with condition may be issued when an applicant has accrued some currency hours but the currency hours are less than the minimum legislative requirement. The applicant is not required to write or re-write the national certification exam. A General Register permit is issued ‘with condition’ that the applicant undergo a supervised practicum and completion thereafter of any coursework or training requirements that is identified during the competency assessment. The condition on the permit is lifted following a satisfactory review by the Registrar.
To register
Applicants must submit with their application:
- Official transcripts
- If you are eligible for LMSA transfer, make arrangements for the originating jurisdiction to complete a confirmation form and regulatory history.
- If you are not eligible for LMSA transfer, a regulatory history from all jurisdictions where you currently hold or have previously held a permit to practice.
- Results of the national certification (CAOT) examination
Applicants must have:
- A baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy or an entry level masters degree in occupational therapy from an occupational therapy program accredited by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) or recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy and approved by ACOT Council
- Successful completion of 1000 hours of supervised clinical education within a program of study approved by ACOT Council
- Current/recent practice hours: 400 hours within the past year; 800 hours in the past 2 years; 1200 hours in the past 3 years; or 1550 hours in the past 5 years, or successful completion of educational upgrading requirements as deemed necessary by the Registrar
- Professional liability insurance
