Licensing route

Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS) — pathway to Ontario OT registration

Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO); Ontario registration by COTO

Credential and competency assessment that may establish substantial equivalency, identify additional learning, or find significant gaps.

Good for: I trained as an occupational therapist outside Canada. What must be assessed before I can practise in Ontario?

Where do I start? ↓

Checked October 20, 2026 How we check information

At a glance

Delivery: Online
Cost: From $4,120
Who can access it: SEAS may begin abroad. Ontario registration requires citizenship, permanent residence or valid employment authorization; assessment does not grant immigration status.
Intake: Ongoing enquiries or individual applications

This is assessment, not a degree, job placement or licence. Do not practise until COTO authorizes registration.

01 / Start here

Your first steps

Read ACOTRO's international-applicant instructions and obtain the specified WES ICAP evaluation.
Check COTO currency requirements before choosing a timetable; then submit the SEAS application through its official portal.
After assessment, confirm the Ontario registration and NOTCE sequence with COTO.

Individual assessment route, not a cohort. ACOTRO sets a start date after the complete application, WES report and initial fee; appointment availability is not confirmed.

Visit provider ↗

02 / Check the fit

Requirements and limits

Completed occupational therapy degree equivalent to at least bachelor's level; ACOTRO describes at least 1,000 clinical fieldwork hours.
WES ICAP course-by-course evaluation and SEAS application, followed by curriculum/fieldwork, language, jurisprudence and competency assessments.
Ontario currency: graduation within 18 months or 600 OT practice hours in three years; otherwise approved refresher work. COTO adjusts the assessment date for time in SEAS.
COTO's January 2026 language policy accepts documented English/French OT instruction or approved testing; one option is IELTS Academic/General: reading/listening 7.0 and writing/speaking 6.5, within two years.
Subsequent COTO requirements include NOTCE eligibility/examination, insurance, professional suitability and a current vulnerable-sector check.

SEAS may begin abroad. Ontario registration requires citizenship, permanent residence or valid employment authorization; assessment does not grant immigration status.

Important limits and details to confirm

This is assessment, not a degree, job placement or licence. Do not practise until COTO authorizes registration.
ACOTRO decides equivalency; COTO determines Ontario registration and NOTCE eligibility.

Location

Remote assessment; Ontario applicants subsequently apply to the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO).

03 / Understand the commitment

Costs and possible funding

SEAS: $4,120 plus applicable tax, paid as $470/$1,500/$2,150. WES, proctoring, language testing, translations and gap-filling are extra. COTO application: $226 including HST; full-year 2026–27 registration: $788.63 including HST, prorated by quarter. NOTCE and insurance costs are separate.

Windmill Microlending career loan (loan, conditional external lead): Possible repayable loan for an approved newcomer credential-recognition plan. Individual status, credit, expenses and repayment terms require assessment; no automatic SEAS award.

04 / Check with the provider

Sources and where to get help

Use the provider’s official starting page to ask about your situation. Published information was checked on October 20, 2026; the provider must confirm current availability and personal eligibility.