Learn how to become an occupational therapist in Canada as an internationally educated professional. Explore licensing steps, salary expectations, credential recognition, and how Windmill Microlending can support your journey with low-interest loans and career guidance.
July 30, 2025
Occupational therapists (OTs) play a critical role in helping Canadians lead healthier, more independent lives. They support individuals recovering from injury, managing chronic conditions, or navigating disability empowering them to participate fully in work, school and daily routines.
With Canada’s aging population and rising demand for rehabilitation services, the need for trained occupational therapists is growing steadily. According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, employment prospects for occupational therapists are strong in provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Nova Scotia, with job vacancies driven by population growth and increased funding for health services.
If you're an internationally educated occupational therapist looking to practise in Canada, this guide outlines the registration process, education pathway and financial support options available to help you get started.
Occupational therapists work with people of all ages to improve their physical, emotional or cognitive abilities so they can engage more fully in daily life. Their work may include:
They collaborate with doctors, social workers, physiotherapists and other professionals in hospitals, clinics, schools, rehabilitation centres and home care settings.
Yes. Occupational therapy is a regulated profession in all provinces and territories in Canada. To work as an OT, you must be licensed by the provincial or territorial regulatory body where you intend to practise. This process involves credential verification, exam completion and, in many cases, language proficiency proof.
The SEAS process is mandatory for internationally educated occupational therapists. It’s managed by ACOTRO and assesses whether your education and training are substantially equivalent to Canadian standards.
You’ll need to:
2. Complete the academic and competency assessments
The SEAS process includes multiple steps:
Only after passing all components will you receive a SEAS Certificate of Substantial Equivalency.
Once SEAS-certified, you are eligible to write the National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (NOTCE). This exam is administered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).
Visit: https://www.caot.ca
After successfully passing the NOTCE, you must apply to the college in your intended province or territory. Examples include:
Each regulatory body may have additional requirements like jurisprudence exams, criminal background checks or supervised practice hours.
For internationally educated professionals, the licensing process generally takes 18 to 30 months, depending on:
According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, the median wage for occupational therapists in 2024 is $42.00/hour nationally.
Job security is high due to demand in both urban and rural areas.
The process of becoming a licensed occupational therapist in Canada can cost between $5,000 to $10,000 CAD, depending on SEAS and NOTCE exam fees, credential assessments, translation services, licensing and registration costs and relocation, childcare or technology access for virtual assessments
At Windmill Microlending, we help skilled newcomers like occupational therapists restart their careers in Canada. We offer low-interest loans of up to $15,000 to cover costs such as:
Beyond financing, Windmill also provides free career coaching, mentorship and financial planning tools to help you succeed in Canada’s healthcare system.
Visit windmillmicrolending.org to see how we can help you move forward with confidence.
