Occupational Therapist
Working in Ontario
Occupational therapists are health care professionals who assist individuals to develop or maintain life roles and activities at home, in the community and at the workplace. These individuals may be experiencing difficulties functioning on their own because of accident, disability, emotional problems, developmental difficulties or disease.
Occupational therapists in Ontario are regulated by the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. You must register with the College if you want to practise in the province. If you are an internationally trained Occupational Therapist and you want to practise in Ontario read the Career Map below to find out how to register with the College.
Tools and Information
The Ontario Government has partnered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario to create a Career Map for internationally trained Occupational Therapists. The Career Map explains in detail every step of the registration process including language requirements, labour market conditions, the credential assessment process, licensing fees and other important information.
Getting Help
Entry to practice requirements: You can find information on how you can practise as a regulated occupational therapist in Ontario on HealthForceOntario.
Bridge training programs: If you are qualified in your profession but new to Ontario, you may benefit from a bridging program. Bridging programs help qualified immigrants move more quickly into their professions without duplicating what they have already learned.
McMaster University - School of Rehabilitative Science
Occupational Therapy Examination Preparation Project (OTEPP)
The Occupational Therapy Examination Preparation Project at McMaster University helps internationally educated occupational therapists prepare to write the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists certification exam. In addition, the program includes language assessment and career guidance, as well as workplace culture and communication training.
Website: www.otepp.ca
Telephone: (905) 525-9140 ext. 21278
Email: nlidsto@mcmaster.ca
Location: Hamilton
DID YOU KNOW?
HealthForceOntario offers a number of services to health professionals, including a recruitment centre and jobs listing service.
Regulatory Body
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
20 Bay Street, Suite 900
Toronto, ON M5J 2N8
Phone: 416/214-1177
Toll Free in North America: 1-800-890-6570
Fax: 416/214-1173
Email: info@coto.org
Website: www.coto.org
Learning More
To learn about occupations in Canada, visit the Working in Canada website. This site will help you identify the name of your occupation in Canada. It will also give you important information about your profession in many regions of Canada, including job duties, skill requirements and wage rates. To learn about your occupation, visit the website and click the ‘Start’ button on the main page.
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