International occupational therapists must meet the following criteria, in addition to the regular application process for Canadian citizens.
1. You must establish your eligibility to write the CAOT Certification Exam administered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. For complete details on how to establish your eligibility to write the certification exam, please visit the CAOT site.
Once you have established your eligibility to write the CAOT Certification Exam, you will need to provide the college with a "Statement of Candidacy" letter from CAOT, as well as verification that you are registered to write the exam at the next available sitting. Your application will not proceed until the college has this information.
2. You must demonstrate evidence of oral and written fluency in English. If your first language or your language of occupational therapy instruction was not English, you will need to provide the college with official documentation that you have achieved an acceptable score on the COTBC-approved tests. Official test scores must be sent directly to the College from the testing agency.
Evidence of oral and written fluency in English can be demonstrated by:
and
or
College Approved Tests and Scores
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Acceptable score includes achieving at least 580 on the paper test, with at least 50 on each of the component areas or 237 on the computerized test, with at least 16 on the listening score, at least 18 on the Structure/Writing score and at least 17 on the Reading Score, and
TSE – P (Test of Spoken English - Professional) – Acceptable score of at least 50.
OR
IETLS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Version – Acceptable academic test score is an overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum band score of 7 on the speaking test.
Once you have completed these two steps, you are ready to proceed with your application to the COTBC.
Application Forms
New applicants must provide evidence they meet the set requirements by completing the following application form and all other required documentation. The registration form guide offers help completing forms and lists all registration fees.
The application and accompanying documentation must be mailed to the COTBC with full payment. Use the checklist on the application form to ensure your application is complete, including all signatures, forms, required documentation and payment. This will facilitate the timely processing of your application. Anticipate three to four weeks for your application to be processed.
Remember to forward the COTBC Authorization for Release of Information to each regulatory organization where you have previously held or currently hold a registration or license to practice.
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Examination
Applicants must successfully complete a national examination administered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) in order to finalize their registration with the COTBC.
If you have not completed the examination, you are eligible to apply for registration with the college in the "provisional" category, given that (1) you can provide verification of eligibility to sit the exam and (2) you are registered for the next available sitting. The college accepts the letter provided by the CAOT called "Statement of Candidacy to Write the Exam" as proof of eligibility. Please contact the CAOT directly, prior to initiating your application, to arrange to have this letter issued.
Provisional Registration
The College bylaws require that a provisional registrant must practice under the general supervision of a full registrant until all requirements for full registration have been met. Provisional registrants must ensure that the supervising OT complete the "Employer Acknowledgement Form" and return the signed original to the College. For more information on general supervision, please review the document entitled "Guideline for General Supervision of Provisional Registrants." You may also refer to the "Guidelines for General Supervision" and the "Employer Acknowledgement Form - Explanatory letter" for more information on the supervision requirement.
Once you have successfully completed the CAOT exam, you must submit verification of successful completion to the college. Upon providing this documentation to the college, your registration status will be changed to full registration with no conditions.
Fees
The college's registration year is from July 1 to June 30. The annual registration fee is $350.00. This fee is pro-rated to $120.00 for initial registration between March 1 and June 30. There is a one-time application fee of $225.00 required with your application. Total fees required to practice before July 1 are $345.00. Renewal of your registration is required on July 1 each year. The annual registration fee must be received no later than July 31 to avoid a late fee penalty.
- All fees must be paid in Canadian Dollars.
- Refund Policy: There is no refund of the application fee or the initial registration fee.
Insurance
Professional liability insurance is mandatory for registration. Refer to the form guide for information on the documentation required.
Application Approval
The Registration Committee must meet to approve all applications for registration. The committee meets once a month (generally the first Tuesday) to approve applications. Be sure your application is complete, including all signatures, forms, and required documentation. This will ensure the timely processing of your application.
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