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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 "Profil 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