Occupational Therapists from Canadian Jurisdictions

This category is for occupational therapists currently registered in a Canadian jurisdiction who want to apply for registration under the Labour Mobility Support Agreement (LMSA). The LMSA was developed by Canadian occupational therapy regulatory organizations to promote the mobility of occupational therapists within Canada.

If you are not currently registered and completed your occupational therapy education in Canada, please review Canadian Educated Applicants. 

If you are not registered in Canada and you have completed your occupational therapy education outside of Canada, please review Internationally-Educated Applicants. 

Steps in the Registration Process

1.   Complete Labour and Mobility Support Agreement Confirmation Form

Ask your current regulatory organization to complete the Labour Mobility Support Agreement Confirmation Form.  Fill in the top Authorization for Release of Information portion of the LMSA Form and send it to your current regulatory organization.  That regulatory organization will send a copy of your transcript or ACOTRO SEAS Disposition Report, confirmation of completion of the National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (NOTCE), and a copy of any formal language tests that have been collected.  In summary, you have authorized your current regulatory organization (via the top section of the LMSA form) to provide certain required documents for application, rather than providing the documentation yourself.  This process facilitates the sharing of required documents at application from a single source and eliminates the need for you to locate these documents individually. You are not required to submit documentation that will be sent by your current regulatory organization; however, if any of these documents are not available from your current regulatory organization, you will be asked to provide the required documentation. Contact your current regulatory organization to find out if there is a fee for completion of the LMSA Confirmation Form. 

2.    Application for registration

Complete an online application form.  The application form is a legal document. You must answer all sections completely and accurately.  Please read this page before completing an application form. 

Evidence Required:

• A completed online application form.  Incomplete application forms will not be processed.

3.    Compile required documentation

Applicants for registration must be able to demonstrate that they meet the following registration requirements:

a.   Proof of Identity

The name you provide on your application form will be the name that is entered on the College register, and must be the same name by which your clients and colleagues will know you. Your registration card, tax receipt, and all correspondence from the College will all be issued in this name. If your name has changed, you must list all your previous names.  

Evidence Required:

• A notarized passport-sized photo.  The notary will need to confirm that the photo is your true likeness. You must mail or drop off the original photo with the notary public's original signature and stamp to the College.  (This is a photograph certified by a notary public, not a guarantor or commissioner of oath). The photograph requires a notarized stamp or seal.
• If any of the documents in your application were issued under a previous name, you must include an official document (such as a marriage license) that verifies your name change. This document must be uploaded to your application as a pdf. 

b.   Eligibility to work in Canada

In order to be employed as an occupational therapist in Nova Scotia, you must have legal authorization to work in Canada.  Only Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and individuals with Canadian work permits have the right to work in Canada.

Evidence Required:

• Acceptable documentation includes a copy of a Canadian birth certificate, a Canadian passport, proof of landed immigrant resident status, or copy of a valid work permit. Documentation must be uploaded to your application as a PDF.

c.   Demonstration of professional liability insurance

Every occupational therapist licensed in Nova Scotia must have professional liability insurance coverage to a minimum of $5,000,000.00 with a legal expenses endorsement for investigation of complaints by a regulatory body prior to engaging in the practice of occupational therapy.

Professional liability insurance for OTs may be purchased through the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)  if you are a member of CAOT.  See the CAOT website for more information.  You may also purchase Professional liability insurance directly through an insurer such as AON Healthcare Advantage.

Each insurance certificate is reviewed to ensure it meets registration regulation criteria and confirms that the applicant or registrant is the named insured on the policy. 

Evidence Required:

• An original insurance certificate showing that it meets the required minimum coverage and legal expenses endorsement must be uploaded to your application as a PDF.

d.   Demonstration of good conduct and regulatory history

The College has an obligation to protect the public and needs to be satisfied that you do not pose a danger to clients. You are required to declare any of the following:

• Any disciplinary finding as an occupational therapist or in another profession in Nova Scotia or anther jurisdiction.
• Conviction of a criminal, drug, or traffic offence, excluding minor traffic offences such as parking or speeding.
• Any finding of liability in a civil proceeding.
• If you are currently under criminal investigation or have a pending criminal or civil court date.

Evidence Required:

• A self-declaration made on your application form.  If you answer yes to any of the declarations, the College will ask you to send more information, such as a transcript of the criminal record. The College will use this information to decide if you are eligible for registration and, if applicable, to determine if conditions should be imposed on your license.
• A Regulatory History Report from each OT regulatory organization you have been registered or licensed with in the past (including international jurisdictions). Complete the top part of the College's Regulatory History Form, send it to each of your previous regulatory or licensing organizations, and ask them to complete the form and forward it to the College.  If there is an area of concern identified by one of your previous regulators, you will be contacted by the College. You will be asked to provide more information regarding the nature and timing of the offense or concern and how the issue has been managed or resolved. Your eligibility for registration will depend on the nature, timing and severity of the issue. Regulatory History forms must be sent directly from your previous regulatory or licensing organization.
• A Vulnerable Sector Check from the province in which you are residing must be uploaded to the Vulnerable Sector Area of your application as a pdf. If you have lived outside of Canada in the past two years, an International Criminal Record Check, translated by a certified translator (if applicable) is also required. The Vulnerable Sector Check will need to be valid within the last 3 months of your registration date.  It should be noted that a conduct history does not automatically result in a denial of registration. However, there must be nothing in your previous conduct that will impact your ability to practice occupational therapy safely and ethically.  If you cannot obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check in your jurisdiction, please contact the College for further steps to provide alternate documentation.  More information on obtaining a Vulnerable Sector Check and International Criminal Record Check is available on our website under Vulnerable Sector Check. 

NOTE: Both the LMSA form and Regulatory History Form must be completed by your current regulatory organization.  The Regulatory History Form must be completed by any College you have been registered or licensed.

e.   Currency hours

It is important that you practice occupational therapy in order to maintain your skills, and keep up-to-date with recent change in practice.  Applicants require 600 hours in the past 3 years.  This requirement is met if you have graduated from an occupational therapy program in the past 18 months. Field work while in university does not count towards currency hours. If you have not met this requirement, please contact the Registrar for Re-Entry Registration options. 

Evidence Required:

• A curriculum vitae / resumé outlining your employment history with the corresponding currency hours broken down by year must be uploaded with your application as a PDF.  New graduates should include their fieldwork placement experience in their curriculum vitae / resumé, although fieldwork does not count as currency hours. Your CV must include your registrations with any regulatory organizations and all post-secondary education, as well as your employment history.
• If requested by the Registrar, additional documentation may be required, including a letter or record of employment from each of your employers in the past 5 years, stating that you were employed as an OT, your period of employment, and the hours you worked each year.

f.   Payment of required fees

The annual registration fee is $575.00 (starting April 1, 2024) and the application fee for therapists from other jurisdictions under the LMSA is $125.00.  Occupational therapists currently registered in another Canadian jurisdiction may have their application fee waived.  Please contact the College to see if you are eligible. The registration fee may be pro-rated should you wish to practice for 3 months or less in a given registration year (June 1 - May 31).  Payment may be made by cheque, EFT (admin@cotns.ca), credit card or money order, payable to the COTNS in Canadian funds.

4.   Membership with the Nova Scotia Society of Occupational Therapists

The Occupational Therapists Act Section 27(2) requires that all registrants with the College pay the membership fees of the Nova Scotia Society of Occupational Therapists within one month of their initial registration and subsequently on the Societies renewal date; however, the College has determined that it does not have the legislative authority to enforce membership with the Society.  While the College recommends applicants and registrants maintain membership with the Society, the College will not deny or suspend registration for those applicants and registrants that choose not to pay the annual fee to the Society.  Please see this letter for further details.

Evidence Required:

Self-declaration on the Application form.

College staff are available to assist with the application process.  Questions about documentation, qualifications, and technical problems can be asked by phone (902) 455-0556, or by email, admin@cotns.ca. We aim to respond to inquiries within 1-2 business days; however, delays up to 5 business days may occur due to workload, business travel, or vacation.  

Completed applications may require up to 5 business days to be processed.  Once a decision has been made on their application, applicants will receive written notification by email.

 REMEMBER

You cannot begin working as an Occupational Therapist in Nova Scotia (including worksite orientation and shadowing) until you have received notice from the College that your application has been approved.

COTNS Application Form

COTNS Application Documents