Everything You Need to Know About Reapplying for OT Licensure in Ontario

If you were previously registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO), reapplying for registration is essential to continue your practice. This guide will help you understand the reapplication process and the requirements to regain your licensure.

Why Reapply?

You must reapply for registration if you were previously registered with the College. Note that you cannot begin working as an occupational therapist until you receive written confirmation and a registration number from the College. This includes participating in orientation or training at your workplace.

Steps to Reapply

Generally, the registration process involves:

• Completing all sections of the online application
• Paying the applicable application and registration fees
• Meeting the currency, suitability to practise, and insurance requirements

You are not required to resubmit documentation that the College already has on file, such as transcripts, legal work status documentation, or exam results.

Meeting the Requirements

Currency - Evidence of Practice

To meet the currency requirement, you must:

• Have graduated within the past 18 months
• Or provide evidence of 600 hours of occupational therapy practice within the past three years (e.g., letter from employer or record of employment)

If you do not meet either of these options, you must complete a College-approved refresher program to meet the currency requirement. Please review the policy on Currency Requirement for Applicants for more information.

Approved Refresher Program

To be eligible for the refresher program, you must:

• Be an applicant of the College
• Submit a completed Additional Currency Data Sheet to the College for review

The College will review your documentation and inform you of your refresher program requirements. Generally, the refresher program consists of:

• Clinic Re-entry Placement between 150-600 hours
• Completion of College learning modules

If you have not practiced in the past 10 years, you will be required to pass the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination as part of your refresher program. Please review the policy on Currency Requirement for Applicants for more information.

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance with a sexual abuse therapy and counseling fund endorsement is mandatory for registration with the College. The requirements for professional liability insurance are set out in Part 19 of the College bylaws.As of August 1, 2017, the College has confirmed that the insurance coverage offered by the following meets the College's requirements:

• Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)
• Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT)
• Aon Healthcare Advantage

You are required to send the College a copy of your insurance certificate that includes the policy number and expiry date. The College does not endorse any insurance provider. It is the responsibility of each occupational therapist (OT) to determine which insurance provider and policy best meets their needs. The above-noted insurance providers are third parties and not affiliated with the College. The College provides this information so OTs are aware of policies that the College has confirmed meet the requirements of the bylaws.Insurance may be purchased elsewhere; however, evidence that it meets the College's requirements must be sent to the College for review prior to acceptance.

Suitability to Practise

The purpose of the suitability to practise requirement includes the protection of the public, the maintenance of high ethical standards, and the maintenance of public confidence in the profession.You will be required to answer a series of questions on the application about your suitability to practise occupational therapy. The questions pertain to:

• Occupational therapy practice
• Practice of other professions
• Offences
• Bail conditions or restrictions
• Your ability to practise occupational therapy safely and ethically

Vulnerable Sector Check

Applicants must submit a Vulnerable Sector (VS) Check as part of their application for registration with the College. This also applies to current applicants who have not been issued registration by April 1, 2017. The College uses the results of the VS Check to verify information pertaining to offences, bail conditions or restrictions, and any other relevant conduct.Please note: if you do not register within six months of the date the results were issued by the police, you will be required to submit an updated VS Check. View our Vulnerable Sector Check page for full details.

Regulatory History

If you hold (or have held) a license or registration to practise occupational therapy outside of Ontario, and/or if you hold (or have held) a license or registration to practise in a profession other than occupational therapy in Ontario or elsewhere, you need to complete a Regulatory History Form.Please forward the form to the appropriate organization and have them complete it and return it directly to the College. If the Registrar has concerns about your ability to practice occupational therapy safely and ethically, your application will be referred to the Registration Committee for a review. For more information on the review process, please refer to the policy: Determining Suitability to Practise at Registration.

For more information, please follow this link.