Quality Practice
Continuing Competence Requirements
Competence Maintenance includes the basic activities required of all occupational therapists to demonstrate that they are engaging in reflective practice and complying with regulatory requirements. All registrants must fully participate in all activities described below as a condition of their licensure.
There are three main activities which comprise the Competence Maintenance component:
1. Declaration of Currency
Currency hours are defined as paid hours of service within the scope of practice of the profession of occupational therapy. Recent currency hours are one indicator of an occupational therapist’s continued competence. Currency hours are declared at initial registration and at annual license renewal. Registrants are required to meet the below requirements to obtain and maintain a license to practice:
- Completed 600 currency hours in the 3 years immediately prior to the application or renewal date; or
- Graduated from an approved occupational therapy program with 1000 hours of clinical practicum fieldwork in the 18 months prior to the application or renewal date; or
- Successfully completed a refresher education/re-entry program approved by the board in the 18 months prior to the application or renewal date.
2. Self-Assessment (every two years), Professional Development Plan (annually) and Professional Development Learning Log (annually)
It is mandatory for all registrants to complete a Self-Assessment (SA) every two years, a Professional Development Plan (PDP) and Professional Development Learning Log (PDLL) on a yearly basis and retain any relevant documents for a period of 5 years (i.e. certificates, receipts, transcripts, notes, etc.)
The SA guides the registrant through the Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Canada (2021) and is the basis for developing learning goals. This is required every two years and is to be uploaded on your NLOTB member profile.
The PDP is a tool to help registrants maintain their knowledge and skills in order to meet the established competencies of occupational therapists and achieve their professional development goals. On an annual basis, registrants will set two Learning Goals for the coming registration year. These goals relate to a specific competency from the Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Canada. Throughout the registration year, registrants will complete learning activities to meet their Learning Goals, document these on the PDLL, including a reflection on how the completed learning activities enhanced their skills, attitudes, and judgement, in relation to their selected Learning Goal. Relevant documents to support the completed learning activities i.e. certificates, receipts, transcripts, notes, forms, etc. can be attached to the PDLL or stored and must be retained for a period of 5 years.
At renewal, registrants will upload the completed PDLL from the current registration year and create a new PDP for the upcoming registration year as part of the renewal process.
Self Assessment Tool
Professional Development Plan (PDP)
Professional Development Learning Log (PDLL)
3. Practice Education Modules (PEM) “eLearning module”
A module is required for 2026 renewal. Access details for the module have been forwarded to registrants via the primary email address on file.
Practice Education Modules (“eLearning modules”) are developed to support registrants in meeting the standards of the Regulator.
The Regulator may require registrants to complete a specific eLearning module(s) at any time during the registration year including renewal. Registrants will be notified of the timeline for the completion of required eLearning modules. On completion of an eLearning module, registrants will be required to provide confirmation of completion to the Regulator, such as a Certificate or Learning Transcript.
Competence Maintenance Audits
Registrants may be selected to participate in a Competence Maintenance Audit. This entails submission of the learning activities associated with a registrant’s Professional Development Plan to the online portal. Registrants selected for Competence Maintenance Audit will be notified. Participation is mandatory for any registrant notified of their selection.
