Recognition of equivalence for internationally trained professionals

• To obtain the occupational therapist licence from the Order

  You do not need to be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen to obtain an occupational therapist licence from the Order.

• To access bridge training

  If the Order asks you to complete bridge training or clinical fieldwork and classroom training, you must have official proof of your right to work or study in Canada. It would be wise to request this as quickly as possible so as not to delay the beginning of the required training.

• Tuition fees depend on immigration status

  Permanent residency or Canadian citizenship is not an admission requirement for the bridge training program. However, tuition fees are significantly higher if you do not have either of these legal statuses in Canada. 
  For further information please refer to (in French): http://admission.umontreal.ca/programmes/programme-de-qualification-en-ergotherapie/cout-et-financement/

Who should I contact?

The immigration process must be done through the immigration authorities. The Order is not involved in this process and cannot answer your questions on this subject. For further information on the immigration process, please consult:

• Immigration Quebec: https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada: http://www.cic.gc.ca/
• See also: https://www.immigrantquebec.com/
  
  

Learning a language is a long and demanding process. The earlier you start, the better you will be equipped both to manage the requirements and facilitate immigration procedures, recognition of equivalence and integration into Quebec society.

 

In the equivalence recognition process, it is important to have a good knowledge of the French language in order to:

• Understand relevant documents (to be read or filled out) and information available on various websites;

• Be able to demonstrate your competencies if an evaluation of occupational therapy competencies is done (note that this evaluation can however be completed in English); 

  The Order recommends Level 9 proficiency in French (advanced level) on the Immigration Department’s Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes du ministère de l’Immigration.

• Be eligible for the bridge training program (Université de Montréal); 

  All candidates must have a knowledge of the French language respecting the level  that the University considers minimal to engage in the program. To this end, the candidate must have completed a significant part of their studies in this language. Otherwise, he must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of French by presenting the results of a French test recognized by the Université de Montréal https://vieetudiante.umontreal.ca/soutien-etudes/connaissance-francais/exigence-admission/tests-diplomes-acceptes#title-lis.
  The results must attest to the achievement of C1 level of the Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues (CECRL).

• Meet the language requirements to complete clinical fieldwork training in the Quebec health and social services network when required by the Order.

  In the network, it is mandatory to offer services in French. Some institutions in the network offer bilingual services, that is, in French and English.

Francization Program of the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration du Québec (MIFI)

MIFI helps people immigrating to Quebec to learn French by offering courses at all levels (beginners, intermediate and advanced). Courses are offered both in Quebec and abroad. Reimbursement of French course fees is possible upon your arrival in Quebec. For more details, visit: https://www.quebec.ca/en/education/learn-french

IMPORTANT: The MIFI Francization courses lead to a level of knowledge of French that is sufficient to function in daily life (intermediate level). They are not sufficient to obtain the level recommended for an evaluation of occupational therapy competencies by the Order, for a bridge training program, for an intership, or to practice the profession in Quebec. It is recommended that you have an advanced level of French language proficiency, including the professional vocabulary.

To complete your learning up to an advanced level of French, it is possible to take advanced online courses from MIFI, or advanced courses at universities or language schools.

LEARNING THE PROFESSIONAL VOCABULARY — Dictionaries and glossaries

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT): a bilingual index of occupational therapy terms is available

EVALUATION OF LEVEL OF FRENCH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Being assessed on your French language skills at various times throughout your learning will help you pinpoint skills needing improvement. If you are given the results of such assessments in writing, please attach a copy with your equivalence review application to the Order, to go on your application file. 

If your level of French language proficiency has not been evaluated, we recommend taking the Test de français international (TFI) as it enables you to see where you are situated in relation to the level required for admission to the bridge training program in occupational therapy, which is a score of at least 785/990 on the TFI. The test is available through ETS.

KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING OF WRITTEN ENGLISH 

Many documents pertaining to updating your knowledge in the field, whether as part of a university course or to practice the profession, are in English. It is therefore important to be able to read English easily enough to avoid this being an obstacle to learning during your studies or your practice. So you must be able to take the time required to attain a functional level of reading English.

Documents required for file review by the SEAS (Substantial Equivalency Assessment System) : 

https://acotro-acore.org/seas/documents-required/ 

Necessary documents for the Admission Comittee of the OEQ?:  

• Results form your SEAS process  

• The committee may ask you to provide other documents relevant to the analysis of your case, pursuant to the Règlement sur les normes d’équivalence aux fins de la délivrance d’un permis par l’Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec. 

• Proof of professional experience 

 

• From your employers

  You must provide official certificates attesting to your professional experience for each position you have held. These certificates must indicate:

  • The name of the place where you practiced;
  • A description of the functions and responsibilities held including the nature of services offered and the clientele served;
  • The number of hours worked and the period of employment (from ___ to ___).
    
    

• From a regulatory body

  Professional regulatory history form. French version available here

  If you are, or have been, a member of a regulatory body in Quebec, Canada or elsewhere in the world you must have the Authorization for Release of Information?(Regulatory History- 280 Ko) form filled out by each of these organizations.

• Translation of documents

  Documents submitted in a language other than French or English must be accompanied by a translation into French or English. The translation must be certified as a true copy of the original by a translator who is: 

  • • a member of the *Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec* (OTTIAQ); or 
    • a member of the translation service of the embassy or consulate of the country or territory that issued the original document; or 
    • from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Justice of the country or territory that issued the original document; or 
    • from the translation service of the institution that issued the original document. 

  REMINDER: It is not necessary to translate the references or bibliographies included in the course descriptions of your degrees.