Applicants who held a certificate with the College but surrendered for a period of time, will need to re-apply for a certificate of registration.

STEPS IN THE REGISTRATION PROCESS

1.   Application for registration

Complete a re-activation application by entering the member login with your e-mail address on file with College.  Please do not complete another initial application form; if you cannot recall your e-mail on file, please contact the College.  The application form is a legal document. You must answer all sections completely and accurately.

Evidence Required:

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

3.   Compile required documentation

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

a.   Demonstration of professional liability insurance

Every occupational therapist practising 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 can be purchased through 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.

Many of the hospitals and health care agencies that employ occupational therapists purchase insurance that covers their employees while they are working for that agency. This type of insurance does not cover any services the OT provides as a volunteer or outside this practice setting.  You must ensure that this coverage includes a legal expenses endorsement for investigation of complaints by a regulatory body prior to engaging in the practice of occupational therapy.

Evidence Required:

• An original insurance certificate if you have purchased professional liability insurance.
• If your insurance coverage is provided by your employer, you must indicate that on your application form.  Your employer must send a letter to prove that you have the proper insurance coverage if their coverage is provided by an insurance provider that is not on the above list.
• Documentation may be uploaded with your application as a PDF.

b.   Demonstration of good conduct

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 registration.
• A Regulatory History Report from each OT regulatory organization you have been registered or licensed with in the past 10 years. Complete the top part of the 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.

c.   Currency hours

It is important that you practise occupational therapy in order to maintain your skills, and keep up-to-date with recent change in practice.  Applicants require 1200 hours in the past 5 years or 600 hours in the past 3 years.  If you have not met this requirement, you will need to complete a re-entry program.

Evidence Required:

• A curriculum vitae outlining your employment history with the corresponding currency hours broken down by year may be considered satisfactory to meet this requirement. This may be uploaded with your application as a word document or PDF.
• 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 may be requested by the Registrar.

d.   Payment of annual registration fee

The annual registration fee is $450.00  and the application fee for re-registration applicants is $25.00. The fee may be pro-rated should you wish to practice for 3 months or less in a given registration year (June - May).  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.

Completed Applications may require 10 business days to be processed.

 REMEMBER

You cannot begin working as an occupational therapist in Nova Scotia until you have received notice from the College that your application has been approved.