Obtaining a Licence

Do you want to work as an occupational therapist in Quebec?
Please contact us after reading about your responsibilities and the procedure to obtain a licence to practice. You may then begin the application process and request the necessary forms to fill out.

Licensing Requirements

As a professional order, the Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec (the Order) has a mandate to protect the public. To this end, it monitors the competence and professionalism of occupational therapists.

The law states that any person who wishes to use the title "Occupational Therapist" or to engage in any professional activity restricted to occupational therapists must:

• be licensed by the Order, and
  
• be entered on the roll of the Order.
  

To become a member of the Order, you must pay annual dues.

How to Obtain a Licence to Practice in Quebec

If your degree in occupational therapy was not obtained in Quebec and you wish to be licensed by the Order, you must:

• hold an equivalent degree, as deemed by the Order:
  Regulation respecting the standards for diploma equivalence or training equivalence for the issue of a permit by the Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec;
  
• successfully complete any course or practical training required by the Order;
  
• demonstrate working knowledge of the French language
  (By law, all candidates must provide an attestation proving a working knowledge of the French language);
  
• pay any applicable fees related to processing your application, practical training or registration exam, as determined by the Order.
  

Comparing Your Occupational Therapy Competencies With the Requirements to Practice in Quebec

You must enclose a completed "Bilan de l’expérience en ergothérapie" with your application. This form available only in French and provided by the Order enables you to summarize your occupational therapy experience and compare it to the requirements established by the Order to practice in Quebec.

These requirements are set out in the "Référentiel de compétences lié à l’exercice de la profession d’ergothérapeute au Québec" (French only document) enclosed in the application kit provided by the Order.

Steps to Follow

The review of your application for equivalence will involve many steps. The admissions committee will first review any documents you may have provided and will evaluate any occupational therapy diplomas included. The Committee will then advise you of any further instructions regarding your application.

Read the description of the steps to follow for an equivalence review, as well as the fees required.
You should also read through the list of documents to provide to the Order.

Documents in Another Language

If you provide documents that are not written in English or French, you must include a version translated into French.

This translation must be certified by a member of the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ), or by a certified consular or diplomatic official.

Working Knowledge of the French Language

Quebec’s official language is French as defined in the Charter of the French language (commonly known as Bill 101).(OQLF)

This law stipulates that anyone wishing to obtain a permit emitted by a professional order must be able to speak and write French.

If you are unable to prove your knowledge of the French language, you must obtain a certificate issued by the Office québécois de la langue française indicating that you have successfully completed a French proficiency examination.

Temporary Licence

The Order may issue a temporary licence valid for 1 year to candidates from outside Quebec who are declared qualified to practice but whose knowledge of the French language does not meet the official requirements.

In theses cases, you will receive the registration form for the OQLF examination along with the temporary licence issued by the Order.

When your temporary licence is expired, it is no longer considered valid and you are removed from the roll of the Order. You therefore lose the ability to work as an occupational therapist in Quebec.

Renewal of Your Temporary Licence

If you need more than 1 year to successfully complete the French proficiency examination, your temporary licence may be renewed for up to 3 times. The OQLF will authorize a renewal if it determines that the public interest warrants it.

Immigration Process

You do not need to be a citizen or a permanent resident of Canada to obtain your licence to work as an occupational therapist. However, a work permit or study permit may be required if the Order determines you need to follow courses or a practical training period in order to receive your licence.

You will find more information about immigrating to Quebec by visiting the web site of the ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles.
www.micc.gouv.qc.ca

Page up

Back to : Accueil

Back to : La profession > Obtenir un permis