New Applicant: Canadian Educated

Steps in the Registration Process

1. Education Requirements

Completion of an accredited Canadian Occupational Therapy program approved by NLOTB.

Evidence Required:

An official transcript from the Canadian accredited program you attended must be sent directly to the Board after convocation.
If you have not convocated, an original letter from your occupational therapy program head or designate, which confirms that you have met all the requirements (including 1000 hours of fieldwork) for graduating with a degree in occupational therapy, is accepted as interim verification. Note: you will still be required to have an official transcript on file with the Board. An official transcript must be forwarded from the university to the Board within 30 days of convocation.

2. Application for Registration

Complete an online application form and submit supporting documentation (see below). The application form is a legal document. You must answer all sections completely and accurately. Please read this page before starting an application form. Unless indicated, all supporting documentation may be uploaded electronically.

Evidence Required:

A completed online application form. Incomplete application forms will not be processed.

3. Compile required documentation

Applicants for registration must be able to demonstrate that they meet the following registration requirements:

Proof of Identity

The name you provide on your application from will be the name that is entered on the Board register, and must be the same name by which your clients and colleagues will know you. Your registration card, certificate, and tax receipt and all correspondence from the Board will all be issued in this name.

Evidence Required:

Photo identification: copy of your passport, or government issued ID.
Name Changes: If your name has changed, you must list all your previous names so your application can be processed properly. If any of the documents in your application were issued under a previous name, you must include an official document (such as a marriage license) that verifies your name change.

Eligibility to Work in Canada

In order to be employed as an occupational therapist in NL, you must have legal authorization to work in Canada. Only Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and individuals with Canadian work permits have the right to work in Canada.

Evidence Required:

Official documentation acceptable includes copy of a Canadian birth certificate, a Canadian passport, proof of landed immigrant resident status, or copy of a valid work permit. Documentation may be uploaded with your application as a PDF.

Demonstration of Professional Liability Insurance

Every occupational therapist practising in NL must have professional liability insurance coverage to a minimum of $5,000,000.00 with a legal expenses endorsement for investigation of complaints by a regulatory body prior to engaging in the practice of occupational therapy.

Professional liability insurance for OTs can be purchased through CAOT, if you are a member of CAOT. See the CAOT website for more information. You may also purchase Professional liability insurance directly through an insurer such as AON Healthcare Advantage.

Evidence Required:

An original insurance certificate if you have purchased professional liability insurance.
Documentation may be uploaded with your application as a PDF.

Demonstration of Good Conduct and Regulatory History

The Board has an obligation to protect the public and needs to be satisfied that you do not pose a danger to clients. You are required to declare any of the following:

Any disciplinary finding as an occupational therapist or in another profession in NL or anther jurisdiction.
Conviction of a criminal, drug, or traffic offence, excluding minor traffic offences such as parking or speeding.
Any finding of liability in a civil proceeding.
If you are currently under criminal investigation or have a pending criminal or civil court date.

Evidence Required:

A self-declaration made on your application form. If you answer yes to any of the declarations, the Board will ask you to send more information, such as a transcript of the criminal record. The Board will use this information to decide if you are eligible for registration and, if applicable, to determine if conditions should be imposed on your registration.
A Regulatory History Report from each OT regulatory organization you have been registered or licensed with in the past 10 years. Complete the top part of the Regulatory History Form, send it to each of your previous regulatory or licensing organizations, and ask them to complete the form and forward it to the Board. If there is an area of concern identified by one of your previous regulators, you will be contacted by the Board. You will be asked to provide more information regarding the nature and timing of the offense or concern and how the issue has been managed or resolved. Your eligibility for registration will depend on the nature, timing and severity of the issue.

Currency Hours

It is important that you practice occupational therapy in order to maintain your skills, and keep up-to-date with recent change in practice. Applicants require 600 hours of occupational therapy practice in the 3 years immediately previous to application. This requirement is met if you have graduated from an occupational therapy program in the past 18 months.

Evidence Required:

A self-declaration made on your application form which includes details of occupational therapy practice hours completed in the 3 years immediately preceding the application.
A letter or record of employment from each of your employers in the past 5 years, stating that you were employed as an OT, your period of employment, and the hours you worked each year may be requested by the Registrar.

Payment of Fees

The annual registration fee is $360.00. Temporary License fee is $121.00. Payment may be made by cheque, credit card or money order, payable to the NLOTB, in Canadian funds.

4. Membership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Occupational Therapists

The Occupational Therapists Regulations Section 5(1)(e) requires membership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Occupational Therapists (NLAOT). NLOTB collects membership fees on behalf of NLAOT.

Evidence Required:

Payment of NLAOT membership fee.

5. Membership with Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

The Occupational Therapists Regulations Section 5(1)(e) requires membership with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).

Evidence Required:

A copy of your membership card or membership verification email from CAOT is required.

6. Successful completion of the National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (NOTCE)

The National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (NOTCE) is a mandatory requirement of registration with NLOTB. The examination ensures that all individuals entering the profession of occupational therapy have met a minimum standard in the written application of academic knowledge and professional behavior. This exam is administered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT). You must apply to CAOT to write the NOTCE. Applicants requiring accommodations must submit a request in writing to CAOT; please see CAOT's Accommodation Policy for details.

There are resources to help you prepare to write the exam:

The Occupational Therapy Exam and Practice Preparation Project (OTepp) offers on-line preparation modules.
CAOT offers the Trial Occupational Therapy Exam Manual (TOTEM) and the Trial Occupational Therapy Exam (TOTE) to assist exam candidates with preparation for the exam.

Applicants may be eligible to practice under supervision for a period of up to one year, while waiting to successfully complete the NOTCE,

Evidence Required:

A copy of your exam result or certificate is required as evidence that you have successfully completed the exam.
If you have not successfully completed the examination you must provide proof that you are scheduled to write in the next sitting. If you intend to practice prior to receiving your exam results, you must also include a Mentorship form with your application.

Remember

You cannot begin working as an Occupational Therapist in Newfoundsland & Labrador until you have received notice from the Board that your application has been approved.

Completed Applications may require 10 business days to be processed.