Re-Licensure

This category is for applicants who were previously licensed with NSOTR, but no longer hold a licence for any reason and now wish to be licensed again.

All individuals who have ever been licensed with NSOTR or the former COTNS have an online profile in the NSOTR Online Portal. However, if you have never used the NSOTR Online Portal, you must first contact NSOTR to obtain log-in credentials for the Portal.

Application Process:

1. Log into your online profile on the NSOTR Online Portal. Contact the Regulator if you require assistance accessing your Portal.
2. Create a new application for re-licensure.
3. Complete the application form in full.
4. Upload all supporting documents required by the form.
5. Provide any other required supporting documents to NSOTR.
6. Click Submit and pay the application fee.

Online Application Form:

The application form is a legal document. You must answer all sections completely and accurately. Errors and omissions will delay the processing of your application. Please read this page carefully before starting an application form. 

Conduct and Character Declarations

You are required to declare any of the following on your application form:

• Any disciplinary finding as an occupational therapist or in another profession in Nova Scotia or another 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.

If you answer yes to any of the declaration questions, the Regulator will ask you to send more information, such as a transcript of the criminal record. The Regulator will use this information to decide if you are eligible for registration and licensure and, if applicable, to determine if conditions should be imposed on your license.

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. 

Required Supporting Documents:

Re-registration applicants do not need to submit new copies of valid documents which the Regulator already has on file from a previous application. However, the Regulator reserves the right to request updated documents from registrants if previously submitted documents no longer meet the Regulator’s current requirements.

Name Change Documents:

If you have ever changed your name and/or any of your documents are under a different name, you must list your previous name(s) and provide proof of the name change.

Required document: A government-issued document showing your name change. Acceptable documents include:

• Marriage certificate
• Divorce certificate
• Name change Certificate

Professional Liability Insurance Certificate:

Every occupational therapist licensed in Nova Scotia must have personal 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. We do not accept employer-based insurance coverage.

Personal professional liability insurance for OTs may be purchased through:

• Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), if you are a member of CAOT. 
• Directly through private insurance brokers, such as such as AON Healthcare Advantage.

Required document: A copy of your professional liability insurance policy certificate. We cannot accept your receipt or CAOT membership card in place of the insurance certificate. We do not accept screenshots of the certificate.

The insurance certificate must be uploaded as a PDF and clearly show:

• that your policy meets the required minimum coverage
• that you are the named insured

Professional Regulation History:

If you are or have ever been registered or licensed with another professional regulatory organization, in any jurisdiction, that organization must send NSOTR a document concerning your professional history.

Required documents:

If you are currently licensed with another Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulator:

• A copy of 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 occupational therapy regulator. They may charge a fee for completion of this form. If you are licensed with multiple Canadian regulators, request the LMSA Form from the regulator with whom you have been licensed the longest.
• A Regulatory History Report from any professional regulatory organization you are currently licensed with (including international jurisdictions).
• Complete the top part of the NSOTR Regulatory History Form, send it to each of your current regulatory or licensing organizations, and ask them to complete the form and forward it directly to NSOTR.  

If you are not currently licensed with another Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulator:

• A Regulatory History Report from any professional regulatory organization you are currently licensed with or have ever been registered or licensed with in the past (including international jurisdictions).
  • Complete the top part of the NSOTR Regulatory History Form, send it to each of your current or previous regulatory or licensing organizations, and ask them to complete the form and forward it directly to NSOTR.  

If there is an area of concern identified by one of your previous regulators, you will be contacted by the NSOTR. 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.

Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check:

Required document: You must upload a valid Criminal Record Check Vulnerable Sector Check from the province in which you are residing as a PDF.

The Vulnerable Sector Check is only valid if it was issued within the last 3 months.

If you cannot obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check in your jurisdiction, please contact the Regulator for further steps to provide alternate documentation.

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.

Proof of Currency:

All applicants must meet NSOTR’s Currency requirements. It is important that you practice occupational therapy in order to maintain your skills, and keep up-to-date with recent changes in practice.

Applicants must have:

1. 600 currency hours in the past 3 years, OR
2. graduated from a recognized occupational therapy degree program in the past 18 months.

Currency hours must be paid employment in the scope of occupational therapy in which you used occupational therapy title.

Required document: To prove you meet the Currency Requirement, provide an up-to-date copy of your resumé or CV. Your CV must include:

• your full employment history for at least the past five years
• the number of currency hours you obtained in each position, broken down by year 
• all registrations with any regulatory organizations, past and present
• all post-secondary education
• if you are a new graduate, your fieldwork placement experience. Please note, however, that fieldwork does not count towards Currency hours.

The Registrar may require additional documentation to confirm you meet the Currency requirement, including a letter or record of employment from each of your employers in the past 5 years.

What if I do not meet the Currency requirement?

You must complete the NSOTR Re-Entry Program and pay the Re-Entry Program application fee. Before submitting your application, contact the Registrar directly for further information and documents.

Summary of Supporting Documents

REMEMBER

You cannot begin working as an occupational therapist in Nova Scotia (including worksite orientation and shadowing) until you have received written notice from the Regulator that you are licensed.