Occupational Therapist — Hospital, Community, School and Private Practice Roles, Canadian Employers

Occupational therapy is a regulated profession in every Canadian province, so a job offer is only half the story: you cannot practise until the provincial regulator has registered you. Hospitals, health authorities, school boards, long-term care and community providers all hire, and the pay and security differ sharply between them.

How it works

You register with the college in the province where you will practise, and passing the National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (NOTCE), administered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), is a requirement everywhere except Quebec, which runs its own process.

Requirements

• An accredited occupational therapy degree, or a substantial equivalency assessment if you trained abroad
• Registration with the provincial regulatory college and professional liability insurance
• A passing NOTCE result (outside Quebec); most provinces allow provisional registration while you wait for a sitting
• English or French proficiency, and often a valid driver's licence for community roles

How the pay works

• Job Bank median. $46.00 an hour nationally, about $90,000 a year at a 37.5-hour week, with a low of $36.17 and a high of $55.00 (updated 19 November 2025)
• Reading the high figures. Salaried grid roles do not reach $130,000; the highest numbers are fee-for-service, insurer-funded or northern-premium work, not standard pay

Before you apply

Note: registration standards, exam eligibility and immigration rules are set by the provincial colleges, CAOT, ACOTRO and IRCC — not by Sajad Digital Services. Confirm the current position with your provincial regulator and on canada.ca before applying.