How to Become an Occupational Therapist in British Columbia
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC to work as an occupational therapist in British Columbia or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- occupational therapist
Show the source
“To work as an occupational therapist in British Columbia, you must be licensed with CHCPBC.”
From chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 4 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 6 steps
- Annual fees
-
- 2026/2027 registration renewal fee: $720
Source
“Occupational Therapists | $720 | $610 | +18% | March 31, 2026”
chcpbc.org/2025/10/23/questions-and-answers-about-the-chcpbc-fee-re... - 2025/2026 registration renewal fee: $610
Source
“Occupational Therapists | $720 | $610 | +18% | March 31, 2026”
chcpbc.org/2025/10/23/questions-and-answers-about-the-chcpbc-fee-re... - Prorated registration fee: $457.50
Source
“Occupational therapy | July 1 – March 31 | 9 | $610.00 | $457.50”
chcpbc.org/2025/03/04/questions-and-answers-about-proposed-amendmen...
- 2026/2027 registration renewal fee: $720
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $1,787.50
-
As a new graduate from a recognized Canadian program, ask your university to email an interim letter showing you have met all graduation requirements to the College.
Source
“Recognized Program: Request an interim Letter from your Canadian University. As a new graduate from a recognized Canadian program, request an interim letter from your university that indicates you have met all requirements for graduation and that it is emailed [email protected].”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy -
Source
“If you have ever been licensed in another province/state or country, complete the first section of the Regulatory History Form and send it to all jurisdiction(s) where you are or were licensed as an occupational therapist, or as another regulated healthcare professional.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy -
Upload confirmation that you are registered to take the next available NOTCE exam.
Source
“Entry to Practice Exam: Upload a copy of your confirmation of registration that you are taking the next available NOTCE exam.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy -
If English was not the language of instruction in your OT education, complete an approved English proficiency test and have the results sent directly to the College.
Source
“Applicants who are required to complete an approved English language proficiency test must arrange for their test results to be sent directly to CHCPBC by the testing organization.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with CHCPBC
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $1,787.50 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- 2026/2027 registration renewal fee: $720
Source
“Occupational Therapists | $720 | $610 | +18% | March 31, 2026”
chcpbc.org/2025/10/23/questions-and-answers-about-the-chcpbc-fee-re... - 2025/2026 registration renewal fee: $610
Source
“Occupational Therapists | $720 | $610 | +18% | March 31, 2026”
chcpbc.org/2025/10/23/questions-and-answers-about-the-chcpbc-fee-re... - Prorated registration fee: $457.50
Source
“Occupational therapy | July 1 – March 31 | 9 | $610.00 | $457.50”
chcpbc.org/2025/03/04/questions-and-answers-about-proposed-amendmen...
Licensed in another province
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $1,787.50
-
Check that your licence elsewhere in Canada is equivalent to a Full licence with no limits or conditions and is effective when your application is approved.
Source
“The registration or licence type you hold elsewhere in Canada is equivalent to our Full licence category. This means that you practise independently with no limits or conditions on your licence.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy -
Provide the required documents, including your SEAS report if internationally educated, notarized identification, NOTCE certificate or results, and verification of licensure forms.
Source
“All new applicants must provide evidence that they meet the set requirements by completing all documentation described below.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy -
Source
“If you have ever been licensed in another province/state or country, complete the first section of the Regulatory History Form and send it to all the regulatory organizations you have been licensed with.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy -
If English was not the language of instruction in your OT education, complete an English proficiency test and have results sent directly to the College.
Source
“If English was not the language of instruction in your OT education, you will be required to complete an English proficiency test.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with CHCPBC
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $1,787.50 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- 2026/2027 registration renewal fee: $720
Source
“Occupational Therapists | $720 | $610 | +18% | March 31, 2026”
chcpbc.org/2025/10/23/questions-and-answers-about-the-chcpbc-fee-re... - 2025/2026 registration renewal fee: $610
Source
“Occupational Therapists | $720 | $610 | +18% | March 31, 2026”
chcpbc.org/2025/10/23/questions-and-answers-about-the-chcpbc-fee-re... - Prorated registration fee: $457.50
Source
“Occupational therapy | July 1 – March 31 | 9 | $610.00 | $457.50”
chcpbc.org/2025/03/04/questions-and-answers-about-proposed-amendmen...
Trained outside Canada
0 of 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $1,787.50
-
Apply to ACOTRO and complete the Substantial Equivalency Assessment System before applying to the College.
Source
“You must complete the SEAS process through ACOTRO before you can apply for licensure with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC).”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy -
Ask ACOTRO to send your SEAS Certificate of Completion and SEAS Determination Report to the College.
Source
“SEAS Determination Report: Request that ACOTRO send your SEAS Certificate of Completion and SEAS Determination Report to the College.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy -
Submit two pieces of identification that meet the requirements and appear on the lists of accepted identification.
Source
“Notarized Identification: Applicants must submit two pieces of identification that meet the requirements AND are on the lists of accepted identification.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy -
Upload a copy of your NOTCE certificate or exam results.
Source
“NOTCE Certificate or Confirmation of Registration: Upload a copy of your NOTCE certificate or results.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy -
Source
“If you have ever been licensed in another province/state or country, complete the first section of the Regulatory History Form and send it to all the regulatory organizations you have been licensed with.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy -
If English was not the language of instruction in your OT education, complete an English proficiency test, which for internationally educated applicants would have been assessed as part of SEAS.
Source
“As an Internationally Educated OT (IEOT), this would have been assessed as part of your SEAS assessment.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with CHCPBC
6 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $1,787.50 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- 2026/2027 registration renewal fee: $720
Source
“Occupational Therapists | $720 | $610 | +18% | March 31, 2026”
chcpbc.org/2025/10/23/questions-and-answers-about-the-chcpbc-fee-re... - 2025/2026 registration renewal fee: $610
Source
“Occupational Therapists | $720 | $610 | +18% | March 31, 2026”
chcpbc.org/2025/10/23/questions-and-answers-about-the-chcpbc-fee-re... - Prorated registration fee: $457.50
Source
“Occupational therapy | July 1 – March 31 | 9 | $610.00 | $457.50”
chcpbc.org/2025/03/04/questions-and-answers-about-proposed-amendmen...
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Initial application for registration: $380 (any profession regulated by CHCPBC)
Source
“One fee of $380 for initial application for registration of any profession regulated by CHCPBC.”
chcpbc.org/2025/10/23/questions-and-answers-about-the-chcpbc-fee-re... - Late renewal fee: $350 (registrants who fail to renew on or before March 31 but renew their registration within 30 days of that deadline)
Source
“A late renewal fee of $350 will be charged to registrants who fail to renew on or before March 31 but renew their registration within 30 days of that deadline.”
chcpbc.org/2025/10/23/questions-and-answers-about-the-chcpbc-fee-re...
Requirements
Education
You must have completed your education from a recognized program listed in Schedule 5 of the CHCPBC Bylaws, or from a non-recognized program with completed SEAS credentialing.
Source
“You have completed your education that qualifies you as an occupational therapist from a recognized program as listed in Schedule 5 of the CHCPBC Bylaws”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy
Other
You must be proficient in English to practise occupational therapy in British Columbia.
Source
“An applicant must be proficient in English to practice Occupational Therapy in British Columbia.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Applicants currently licensed in another Canadian province with a licence equivalent to a Full licence are eligible for a streamlined licensing process under the Labour Mobility Support Agreement. Source
“If you meet the two criteria listed below, you are eligible for a streamlined licensing process using the Labour Mobility Support Agreement (LMSA)”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with CHCPBC
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with CHCPBC
Exams
-
Entry to Practice Exam (NOTCE)
Source
“Have not yet passed the Entry to Practice Exam (NOTCE) and seeking to practice under supervision”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy -
Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS)
Source
“Internationally educated occupational therapists (IEOTs) who plan to practise anywhere in Canada (effective October 1, 2026 this includes Quebec) must apply to the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO) and proceed through the Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS).”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with CHCPBC
Exemptions: If English was not the language of instruction in your OT education, you must complete an English proficiency test. Source
“If English was not the language of instruction in your OT education, you will be required to complete an English proficiency test.”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with CHCPBC
Supervised practice
Required
A Provisional licensee practises under the general supervision of a Full licensee until the national exam requirement has been met. Source
“To apply as a Provisional licensee practising under the general supervision of a Full licensee until your national exam requirement has been met”
chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $30.00 | $50.00 | $66.91 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $36.17 | $46.00 | $55.00 | — |
Occupational therapists in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Licence required
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Licence required
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Licence required
Sources checked
- Occupational Therapy | CHCPBC chcpbc.org/applicants/occupational-therapy · fetched October 10, 2026
- Questions and answers about the CHCPBC Fee Restructuring Project | CHCPBC chcpbc.org/2025/10/23/questions-and-answers-about-the-chcpbc-fee-re... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Questions and answers about proposed amendments to CHCPBC Bylaws: Alignment of renewal cycles | CHCPBC chcpbc.org/2025/03/04/questions-and-answers-about-proposed-amendmen... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as an occupational therapist in British Columbia?
Yes. Registration with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC is required to practise in British Columbia, and to use the title occupational therapist.
Which exams are required?
Entry to Practice Exam (NOTCE), Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS).
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