The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy (CAOT) announced a new national project to support internationally educated occupational therapists (IEOTs) as they build their careers in Canada. Funded by the Government of Canada, The Canadian Hub for Internationally Educated Occupational Therapists: Your First Stop to OT Practice in Canada is set to officially launch at the end of 2026.
Bilingual online platform to simplify licensure and employment
The Hub will be a bilingual, interactive online platform that serves as a comprehensive resource for IEOTs across the country. It aims to help them access the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in their careers. The platform will offer step-by-step guidance aligned with Canadian regulatory requirements, interactive tools such as self-assessments, decision trees, and checklists, and a series of videos on Canadian occupational therapy practice, licensure, Canada’s health care systems, culturally safer care, and other relevant topics.
Personalized user pathways tailored to individual journeys, from pre-arrival to workforce integration, will be available, along with resources to support IEOTs to integrate into Canada’s diverse, people-centred health care system. An AI-powered chatbot will offer real-time answers and support.
Addressing health human resource strains
“With the current health human resource strains Canada’s health care systems are facing, the critical role that internationally trained health care professionals will increasingly play is becoming more and more evident,” said Irving Gold, CEO of CAOT. “This project will help those trained in occupational therapy outside of Canada by providing a resource to more easily navigate the process of obtaining licensure and set them up for success.”
Recognizing the challenges IEOTs face when navigating licensure and employment in Canada, CAOT is developing the platform to simplify the journey. This comprehensive navigation tool will serve as a one-stop resource offering clear and consistent information on licensing requirements, employment pathways, the Canadian health care context, and professional practice to equip IEOTs with the knowledge and tools they need to build successful careers in Canada.
Collaboration with partners across Canada
CAOT is working closely with IEOTs, the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO), l’Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec (OEQ), and partners across Canada to develop the platform. Their expertise and lived experience will help ensure the platform is practical, inclusive, and reflective of the diverse realities of IEOTs.
“UBC’s Program for Internationally-Educated OTs (PIE-OT) warmly congratulates CAOT on the launch of the IEOT Project,” said Michael Lee, an occupational therapist and PIE-OT Facilitator at the University of British Columbia. “As partners who share a deep commitment to equitable, well supported pathways for internationally-educated occupational therapists, we recognize how transformative this initiative will be for IEOTs navigating licensure and integration into the profession. We are excited for the opportunities ahead to work together in supporting IEOTs to contribute to the occupational participation of people in Canada.”
