NSOTR has recently updated the Continuing Competency Program. A recorded presentation on the major changes to the program, with a list of frequently asked questions, can be found HERE. The below information is up-to-date and reflects the current program and requirements.

The NSOTR Continuing Competency Program (CCP) is a quality-assurance program based on the principle that licensed occupational therapists in Nova Scotia are professionals whose goals include maintaining and improving their level of skills and knowledge based on accepted standards of professional practice. The CCP aims to support, monitor, and verify that occupational therapists are competent practitioners.

CCP Infographic

The program includes three components:

  1. Competence Maintenance:

    This is the supportive component of the program. This component includes the annual activities required of all occupational therapists to demonstrate that they are engaging in reflective practice and complying with regulatory requirements. 

  2. Competence Review:

    This is the evaluative component of the program. It assesses an occupational therapist’s skills, knowledge, and judgement required to provide safe, effective, and ethical services and to identify those registrants who may require improvement to their practice. Only those registrants notified by the College will need to participate in this component, with cohorts being selected at intervals throughout the year. It is a regulatory requirement for registrants to participate in Competence Review if selected.

  3. Competence Improvement

    This is the improvement component of the program for those registrants identified in Competence Review. Recommendations for improvement are made by staff and/or committee based on the results of Competence Review. Specific, mandatory learning activities may be assigned to each registrant based on their identified learning needs.

Exemptions, Deferrals, and Accommodations:

If you are unable to participate in one or multiple components of the CCP, you may apply for an exemption, deferral, or accommodation by completing our Form A. Further documentation may be requested by NSOTR to support your request.