Supports for internationally educated occupational therapists

Use the resources on this page to learn how internationally educated occupational therapists can become registered to work in Manitoba. 

Occupational therapist working with a mother and child.

Occupational therapy in Manitoba

Occupational therapists in Manitoba work in all types of settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, personal care homes, social services, private practice, and industry with people of all ages. Occupational therapists are independent practitioners who work on goals set with clients to meet their personal needs.

All practicing occupational therapists in Canada must register with a provincial regulator and meet specific educational and practice standards. For a better understanding of occupational therapy in Manitoba, visit the Manitoba Society of Occupational Therapists (MSOT).

Today’s Canadian graduates complete a Master of Occupational Therapy degree for entry to practice, however it is not yet needed for all occupational therapists. Applicants with a World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) approved program that is seen to be equivalent in content may be able to practice in Canada following a review of credentials, and assessments of language and practice knowledge.

Between 2011-2021, 9 out of 16 (56%) of internationally educated occupational therapy applicants who successfully completed the SEAS assessment became registered in the profession. The average time to registration was 1.9 years.

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    Average time to registration

    1.9 years

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    Approximate costs

    $5,500

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    Successful registrants

    50%

How to register for practice

  • First step

    Graduates from outside of Canada must complete the Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS) process with the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO).

    This assessment includes:

    • verification of your occupational therapy credential (diploma/degree)
    • confirmation of your identity
    • language proficiency in English or French
    • review of your occupational therapy entry to practice program (coursework and clinical/fieldwork experience)

    Once this information is complete and accepted, you must pass a Jurisprudence Knowledge Assessment (JKA) and a Competency Assessment (CA).

    Please refer to the SEAS website for most current information.

  • Next steps

    Once you have successfully completed the SEAS assessment, you may apply for registration to practice occupational therapy in Manitoba.

    The College of Occupational Therapists of Manitoba (COTM) regulates occupational therapy practice in the province and registration is required for anyone working as an occupational therapist.

    Registration in Manitoba requires successful completion of:

    If you have further questions about the registration process, contact the provincial regulator (COTM) or reach out to the Access Hub and we can help to direct you to the appropriate organization and/or resources.

Costs

The total cost for document evaluation, examination and registration is approximately $5,500, including one attempt at the exam.

If you need to take the exam more than once to pass, costs can rise above $8,000.

Fees do not include:

  • study materials
  • exam prep courses
  • any documents you may require
  • any applicable taxes

Fee breakdown

All figures are listed in Canadian dollars.

Assessment and registration components Fee (approximate as of 2021)
SEAS $3,600 to 4,600
COTM registration (not including assessments) $650
NOTCE $850
Total $5,100 to $7,100+

Recommended resources

Contact us

Looking for help or need more information? Please contact us!

IEHP Access Hub
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3E 3P5
Canada

We are working remotely and do not currently have a physical space on campus. For all inquiries, please reach out by phone or email.

iehpaccess@umanitoba.ca
431-279-2689