Occupational Therapist

To become a registered occupational therapist (O.T.) in Alberta, you need:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree from an approved occupational therapy program
• 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice
• Successful completion of the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam (NOTCE)

There are other registration categories for occupational therapists.

A provisional occupational therapist:

• Has met all requirements for an OT except completion of the NOTCE
• Must work under the supervision of an OT
• Can use the title provisional occupational therapist

Applicants who have been out of practice for a period also may have to demonstrate that they are currently competent to practice.

For details about all registration requirements, contact ACOT or visit the ACOT website.

Occupational therapists registered by and in good standing with a regulatory body elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if their scope of practice and competencies are similar.

For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the ACOT website.

Internationally educated occupational therapists must first complete the Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS) process of the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO). After successful completion of SEAS, they can apply to ACOT.

For more information, visit the ACOTRO website.