This category is for applicants that have been previously registered with the College but have surrendered their licence for a period of time and need to re-apply for a new licence.

STEPS IN THE REGISTRATION PROCESS

1.   Application for registration

Complete an online re-activation application on your profile with your e-mail address and password 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-licensing 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.

Each insurance certificate is reviewed to ensure it meets registration regulation criteria. 

Evidence Required:

Evidence Required:

• An original insurance certificate must be uploaded to 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 a license 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 since your previous license with COTNS. Complete the top part of the College's Regulatory History Form, send it to each of your previous regulatory 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 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 licensure will depend on the nature, timing, and severity of the issue.
• (Effective September 1, 2021) 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. 

c.   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 1200 hours in the past 5 years or 600 hours in the past 3 years.  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.  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, 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.

d.   Payment of required fees

The annual licence fee is $530.00  and the application fee for re-licensing applicants is $50.00. The 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.

NOTE: Additional documentation will be requested if it is not currently in your file.  This documentation may include a transcript, notarized passport photo, eligibility to work in Canada, NOTCE results, or documentation supporting a name change. 

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 Online Profiles and Application

COTNS Application Documents