Occupational Therapists' Qualifications

Occupational therapists are university-trained, regulated health professionals whose unique training enables them to understand not only the medical and physical limitations of a disability or injury, but also the psycho-social factors that affect an individual's ability to function independently. Their approach is based on research that proves that an individual's ability to engage in occupation increases health and well-being.

Occupational therapists have …

• Graduated from an accredited university program with a Master's degree in occupational therapy. To download information regarding the new professional Master's level entry, click here (Acrobat PDF).
• Successfully completed a minimum of 1000 hours of fieldwork education.
• Successfully passed the certification examination administered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists or met provincial registration qualifications.
• Maintained their competency to practise based on their provincial regulatory requirements. Occupational therapists must be registered with their provincial regulatory organization in order to legally practise occupational therapy in Canada.

Occupational therapists are experts, recognized by government and consumers for evaluating and promoting performance in daily occupations. For example…

• The Canada Revenue Agency recognizes occupational therapy as a tax-deductible medical expense.
• The Canada Revenue Agency allows occupational therapists to authorize disability tax credits, and income tax for services provided to someone with a physical disability by a nonregulated health provider.
• Occupational therapists are authorized to prescribe assistive devices such as wheelchairs, mobility devices and communication aids in provinces with provincial assistive device funding programs.
• Many consumer organizations require an occupational therapist's authorization for co-funding assistive device purchases.
• Provincial governments recognize occupational therapists' credentials for assessing mental health competency.
• Provincial governments recognize occupational therapy driving evaluations for assessing an individual's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.