To see the new IEOT web portal click here.
To see the OTepp web site: http://www.otepp.ca/
Exam Application Process for Internationally Educated Candidates
CAOT welcomes certification exam applications from graduates trained at accredited occupational therapy education programs in Canada and from occupational therapists who have graduated from international programs recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). There is also an application procedure for occupational therapists who have graduated from international programs not recognized by WFOT.
WFOT Recognition
To verify whether your educational program was recognized by the WFOT in the year of your graduation, please visit the WFOT web site at and check under the WFOT recognized programs and schools for your country. CAOT refers solely to this web site listing for WFOT recognition status of all programs.
Graduates of Programs Recognized by WFOT
All internationally educated applicants must complete an assessment as the first step in the exam registration process. Graduates from occupational therapy education programs recognized by the WFOT may apply directly to CAOT through the "Application to Establish Eligibility for the CAOT Certification Examination".
NB: Please note that a new requirement dealing with authentication of documents has been added for WFOT applicants for exam eligibility. This includes Canadian citizens trained in the U.S. or elsewhere outside Canada.
Documentation required with the Application to Establish Eligibility form now includes the following:
Certificate of authentication of documents (Basic Assessment)from a Canadian service (member of The Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada http://www.canalliance.org) sent directly to CAOT. Click here for more details.
OR Original copy of assessment/equivalency from a Canadian occupational therapy regulatory organization submitted by the candidate or faxed directly to CAOT from the regulatory body
Application process for WFOT recognized graduates
Graduates of Programs Not Recognized by WFOT
Applicants who are graduates of a program not recognized by WFOT need an equivalency assessment before they can apply to write the CAOT Certification Exam.
Application process for Non-WFOT recognized graduates
NOTE: If you are an internationally educated occupational therapist who is interested in participating in a course to prepare to write the national certification examination, contact: Pat McMahon, research assistant, (905)525-9140 ext. 21278, pmcmah@mcmaster.ca or Elizabeth Steggles, OTEPP project coordinator, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, ext. 21096, steggl@mcmaster.ca
