Licensing guide · Alberta

How to Become an Occupational Therapist in Alberta

Last checked 3 sources checkedNOC 31203

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists to work as an occupational therapist in Alberta or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Occupational Therapists Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT) is mandatory.”

From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/occupational-ther..., checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 4 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $550

  1. The applicant provides official transcripts showing a baccalaureate or entry-level masters degree in occupational therapy from an approved Canadian program and 1000 hours of supervised clinical education.

    Source
    “a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy or an entry level masters degree in occupational therapy from a Canadian occupational therapy program approved by the ACOT Council - Successful completion of 1000 hours of supervised clinical education - Official transcripts”
    acot.ca/registration/apply

  2. The applicant submits results showing successful completion of the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam.

    Source
    “Results from successful completion of the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam (NOTCE).”
    acot.ca/registration/apply

  3. The applicant provides a current criminal record check that includes a vulnerable sector check.

    Source
    “A current criminal record check which includes a vulnerable sector check.”
    acot.ca/registration/apply

  4. The applicant obtains professional liability insurance through one of the listed associations or an independent broker.

    Source
    “Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) - Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists - The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists - An independent insurance broker”
    acot.ca/registration/apply

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ACOT

4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
  • 1 step without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $550

  1. The applicant arranges for their originating jurisdiction to complete an LMSA confirmation form and regulatory history form.

    Source
    “make arrangements for the originating jurisdiction to complete an LMSA confirmation form and regulatory history.”
    acot.ca/registration/apply

  2. The applicant pays the college's fee to process the LMSA.

    • LMSA processing fee: $40 (to process an LMSA)
      Source
      “ACOT will charge a $40.00 fee to process an LMSA.”
      acot.ca/registration/apply
    Source
    “ACOT will charge a $40.00 fee to process an LMSA.”
    acot.ca/registration/apply

Listed fees for this route

1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 2 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $550

  1. The applicant first completes the Substantial Equivalency Assessment System process of ACOTRO.

    Source
    “Internationally educated occupational therapists must first complete the Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS) process of the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO).”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/occupational-ther...

  2. After successfully completing SEAS, the applicant applies to the college.

    Source
    “After successful completion of SEAS, they can apply to ACOT.”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/occupational-ther...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ACOT

2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Applicants need a baccalaureate degree or entry-level masters degree in occupational therapy from a Canadian program approved by the ACOT Council, with successful completion of 1000 hours of supervised clinical education and official transcripts.

    Source
    “a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy or an entry level masters degree in occupational therapy from a Canadian occupational therapy program approved by the ACOT Council - Successful completion of 1000 hours of supervised clinical education - Official transcripts”
    acot.ca/registration/apply

Experience

  • Applicants must meet minimum practice hour requirements, such as 400 hours within the past year, 800 hours in the past 2 years, 1200 hours in the past 3 years, or 1550 hours in the past 5 years, or complete the refresher/re-entry program.

    Source
    “400 hours within the past year; - 800 hours in the past 2 years; - 1200 hours in the past 3 years; - 1550 hours in the past 5 years; - or successful completion of the refresher/re-entry program. (320 hours)”
    acot.ca/registration/apply

Police check

  • Applicants must provide a current criminal record check that includes a vulnerable sector check.

    Source
    “A current criminal record check which includes a vulnerable sector check.”
    acot.ca/registration/apply

Insurance

  • Applicants must hold professional liability insurance, obtainable through the Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists, the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, or an independent insurance broker.

    Source
    “Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) - Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists - The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists - An independent insurance broker”
    acot.ca/registration/apply

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

An occupational therapist licensed or registered in another Canadian jurisdiction may have their qualifications recognized for registration in Alberta under the Labour Mobility Support Agreement.

Source
“An occupational therapist (OT) licensed or registered in another Canadian jurisdiction may have their qualifications recognized for registration in Alberta under the Labour Mobility Support Agreement (LMSA) between provincial regulatory organizations.”
acot.ca/registration/apply

  1. Arrange LMSA confirmation

    Source
    “make arrangements for the originating jurisdiction to complete an LMSA confirmation form and regulatory history.”
    acot.ca/registration/apply

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with ACOT

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

  • Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS)

    internationally educated applicants

    Source
    “Internationally educated occupational therapists must first complete the Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS) process of the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO).”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/occupational-ther...

Exams

  • National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam (NOTCE)

    Source
    “Results from successful completion of the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam (NOTCE).”
    acot.ca/registration/apply

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with ACOT

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with ACOT

Supervised practice

Required

Re-entry applicants whose practice hour currency has lapsed may be required to complete a period of supervised practice, and new graduates on the Provisional Register must work under supervision.

Source
“the results of that RCA interview, as well as consideration of recency of currency hours and the number of years out of practice will determine whether a period of supervised practice is required.”
acot.ca/registration/apply

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 31203, Occupational therapists. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Alberta and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Alberta $39.00 $48.08 $52.25 Good (4 of 5)
Canada $36.17 $46.00 $55.00 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Alberta

Wages in every province and territory

Occupational therapists in other provinces and territories

Regulated in all 12 other jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare occupational therapist licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Occupational Therapist: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/occupational-ther... · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Apply for Registration and Permit - Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT) acot.ca/registration/apply · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. December eNews - Renewal Opens January 1, 2016 - Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT) acot.ca/enews/renewal-opens-january-1-2016 · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as an occupational therapist in Alberta?

Yes. Registration with the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists is required to practise in Alberta.

Which exams are required?

National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam (NOTCE).

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