Occupational therapists

Beginning in 2010, the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) only grants accreditation to graduates with a master's degree in occupational therapy.

Registration to practice in B.C. requires:

• Graduation from a college-approved program or demonstration that a program is equivalent to the degree earned in B.C.
• Field work and accreditation by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is currently the only institution in the province that offers a college-approved program in occupational therapy. For more information, visit the UBC School of Rehabilitation Sciences website at www.rehab.ubc.ca.

Occupational therapists must be registered members of the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC) to legally practise in the province. The COTBC is the regulatory body that sets entry to practice requirements (establishing education qualifications; fieldwork requirements; entry level competencies and registration requirements); setting standards for practice and ethical conduct; and implementing quality assurance programs such as continuing competence standards to assure continued safe, quality practice.

Occupational therapists who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact the College of Occupational Therapists of BC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C. 

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Job growth will be due to an aging population, increased life expectancy, technological advancements, greater social health awareness and a shift toward ambulatory care (for patients who do not need to stay in a health-care facility overnight). The majority of job openings will result from new job creation. Further, since women make up a high share of these workers, there are many openings from maternity leave.

Occupational therapists are in high demand throughout the province. At present, the number of new graduates is insufficient to meet demand. This shortage has provided expanded opportunities for new graduates to practise in areas that typically would have required a higher level of experience. More opportunities for on-the-job training and mentorship will also likely become available as a result of shortages.

Industry reports that the trend for workers moving to community practice (private practice) is expected to continue, as privatization and insurance coverage for occupational therapy services becomes more common.
Some practices have adopted technologies for consultations provincewide. The move to electronic health records requires computer skills and basic office software knowledge. Occupational therapists may also work more often on teams delivering services through tele-health technologies.