Occupational Therapy Regulations
made under Sections 4, 13 and 14 of the
Regulated Health Professions Act
S.N.S. 2023, c. 15
O.I.C. 2025-60 (effective March 31, 2025), N.S. Reg. 43/2025
Table of Contents
Please note: this table of contents is provided for convenience of reference and does not form part of the regulations.
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Interpretation
Citation
Definitions
Regulator
College of Occupational Therapists of Nova Scotia continued
Bylaw authorization
Public representatives on Board
Scope of Practice
Scope of practice of occupational therapy
Scope of practice of designations and licensing categories
Registration and Licensing
Practising licence categories
Conditional licence categories
Application and criteria for registration in practising register
Criteria for practising licence
Criteria for registration in conditional register
Criteria for conditional licence
Practice and Title Use Restrictions, Services Not Prohibited and Publication Restrictions
Restriction on practice of occupational therapy
Restriction on use of “occupational therapist” title, description or designation
Restriction on use of bylaw licensing category title, description or designation
Services not prohibited by the Act, regulations or bylaws
Restriction on use of designation in advertisement or publication
Fines
Professional conduct fine maximum
Interpretation
Citation
1 These regulations may be cited as the Occupational Therapy Regulations.
Definitions
2 In these regulations,
“Act” means the Regulated Health Professions Act;
“Board” is further defined to mean the board of the Regulator;
“competency framework” means a framework approved by the Board establishing
the competencies that registrants are required to possess to practise safely and
ethically within the scope of practice of their designation or licensing category;
“former Act” is further defined to mean Chapter 21 of the Acts of 1998, the
Occupational Therapists Act;
“General Regulations” means the Regulated Health Professions General
Regulations made under the Act;
“occupational participation” means the ability to access, initiate and sustain
activities and occupations, including self-care and the activities of daily living,
productivity and leisure, that are desired and necessary to a person’s well-being
within their socio-cultural context;
“registration and licensing decision maker” means the registrar, the registration and
licensing committee or the registration and licensing review committee, as
applicable;
“Regulator” means the Nova Scotia Occupational Therapy Regulator;
“title protection” means the restriction on the use of a title associated with a
particular designation or category of licence to persons who are authorized to
practice within the scope of that designation or registered and licensed in that
category of licence.
Regulator
College of Occupational Therapists of Nova Scotia continued
3 The College of Occupational Therapists of Nova Scotia is continued as a regulatory body
under the name Nova Scotia Occupational Therapy Regulator with the purpose of
regulating the profession of occupational therapy in accordance with the objects set out
in Section 6 of the Act.
Bylaw authorization
4 The Regulator is authorized to make bylaws under clauses 12(2)(b), (c), (d), (e), (g), (i),
(j), (k), (l) and (m) of the Act, in accordance with the Act and these regulations.
Public representatives on Board
5 In addition to the requirement of subsection 7(2) of the Act, the number of public
representatives on the Board must be no fewer than 3 and no more than 4.
Scope of Practice
Scope of practice of occupational therapy
6 (1) The scope of practice of occupational therapy is the application of specialized and
evidence-based occupational therapy knowledge, skills, and judgment that have
been taught in an approved education program or are set out in 1 or more of the
following approved by the Board:
(a) competency frameworks;
(b) standards of practice;
(c) practice guidelines.
(2) The scope of practice of occupational therapy as described in subsection (1)
includes the performance of any or all of the following activities:
(a) promoting, developing, restoring, improving, or maintaining optimal
occupational participation of clients;
(b) using cognitive, psychosocial and physical methods to assess and resolve
barriers to occupational participation;
(c) planning, administering and evaluating developmental, restorative,
maintenance, preventative and educational programs;
(d) performing any other services, roles, functions and activities included in the
scope of practice of the designations and licensing categories set out in the
bylaws.
(3) The scope of practice of occupational therapy also includes health promotion,
research, education, inter-professional collaboration, consultation, management,
administration, advocacy, regulation or system development that is related to the
activities and application of specialized and evidence-based occupational therapy
knowledge, skills and judgment described in subsections (1) and (2).
Scope of practice of designations and licensing categories
7 Under clauses 12(2)(k) and (l) of the Act, the Regulator may make bylaws setting out all
of the following:
(a) the scope of practice of each designation and licensing category established
(i) in the regulations, and
(ii) in the bylaws;
(b) the title protection authorized for each designation and licensing category
established in the bylaws.
Registration and Licensing
Practising licence categories
8 The following are the practising licence categories for occupational therapy:
(a) occupational therapist practising licence;
(b) any other category of practising licence established in the bylaws.
Conditional licence categories
9 The following are the conditional licence categories for occupational therapy:
(a) occupational therapist conditional licence;
(b) any other category of conditional licence established in the bylaws.
Application and criteria for registration in practising register
10 (1) An application required by Section 34 of the Act must be completed in the form
required by the registrar.
(2) In addition to the completed application, an applicant for registration in a practising
register must submit all of the following to the registrar:
(a) proof satisfactory to the registration and licensing decision maker that the
applicant meets all of the following criteria, except if any or all of the
criteria are waived under Section 59 of the Act:
(i) they are a graduate of 1 of the following:
(A) an education program approved for registration in the practising
register in which they seek to be registered,
(B) an education program that, in the opinion of the registration
and licensing decision maker, is equivalent to an education
program approved for registration in the practising register in
which they seek to be registered,
(C) an education program that, together with the applicant’s
additional education and experience and in the opinion of the
registration and licensing decision maker, provides the
applicant with the competencies to practise in the scope of
practice of registrants in the practising register in which they
seek to be registered,
(ii) they have successfully completed any examinations required by the
Board for registration in the practising register in which they seek to
be registered,
(iii) they have completed a competence assessment, if directed to do so
by the registration and licensing decision maker,
(iv) they have successfully completed any bridging education required for
registration that was determined to be necessary by a competence
assessment,
(v) they have demonstrated proficiency in the English language, in the
manner prescribed by the registrar,
(vi) they are a Canadian citizen or legally entitled to live and work in
Canada,
(vii) they have the capacity, competence and character to safely and
ethically engage in the practice of the profession in which they seek
to be registered without conditions or restrictions,
(viii) they have no outstanding complaints, prohibitions, conditions,
agreements or restrictions originating from the Regulator or any other
registration or licensing authority that would preclude registration in
a register other than a conditional register,
(ix) they are the person named in the documentation submitted in support
of the application,
(x) under the requirements of the Act, these regulations and the bylaws,
they are eligible for a practising licence that corresponds with the
practising register in which they seek to be registered,
(xi) they meet any additional criteria for registration in a practising
register set out in the bylaws;
(b) the applicable fee, within the time determined by the registrar and using a
method acceptable to the registrar.
(3) The processing under Section 36 of the Act of an application and its associated
information, documents and fee described in subsections (1) and (2) must be
completed by the registrar as soon as practicable.
(4) A review and decision under Sections 37 and 38 of the Act regarding an
application must be completed by the registration and licensing committee as soon
as practicable.
Criteria for practising licence
11 (1) In addition to the completed application in a form approved by the registrar
required by Section 35 of the Act, an applicant for a practising licence must submit
all of the following to the registrar:
(a) proof satisfactory to the registration and licensing decision maker that the
applicant meets all of the following criteria, except if any or all of the
criteria are waived under Section 59 of the Act:
(i) they meet the registration criteria in subclauses 10(2)(a)(iii), (iv), (v),
(vi), (vii) and (ix),
(ii) they are registered in the practising register that corresponds with the
licensing category for which they are seeking a practising licence,
(iii) they have professional liability insurance or another form of
malpractice coverage or liability protection in the form and amount
set by the Board,
(iv) they meet the requirements of the continuing competence program
for the licensing category for which they are seeking a practising
licence,
(v) they meet the currency of practice requirements for the licensing
category for which they are seeking a practising licence,
(vi) they have no outstanding complaints, prohibitions, conditions,
agreements or restrictions originating from the Regulator or any other
registration or licensing authority that limit their ability to practise,
(vii) they have completed any assessments or education required by the
Board for the licensing category for which they are seeking a
practising licence,
(viii) they meet any additional criteria for issuing a practising licence set
out in the bylaws;
(b) the applicable fee, within the time determined by the registrar and using a
method acceptable to the registrar.
(2) The processing under Section 36 of the Act of an application and associated
information, documents and fee described in subsection (1) must be completed by
the registrar as soon as practicable.
(3) A review and decision under Sections 37 and 38 of the Act regarding an
application must be completed by the registration and licensing committee as soon
as practicable.
Criteria for registration in conditional register
12 (1) The registrar must enter the name of a person who meets all of the following in a
conditional register:
(a) for an existing registrant in a practising register, they have
(i) agreed to conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise,
or
(ii) had conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise
imposed on them as a result of a regulatory process;
(b) for an applicant for registration in a register, they meet all of the following
requirements:
(i) all of the criteria for registration in a practising register, other than the
criteria in subclauses 10(2)(a)(vii), (viii), (x) and (xi), and except as
provided in subsection (4),
(ii) they have the capacity, competence and character to safely and
ethically engage in the practice of the profession in which they seek
to be registered with conditions or restrictions,
(iii) they have either
(A) agreed to conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to
practise, or
(B) had conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise
imposed on them as a result of a regulatory process,
(iv) under the requirements of the Act, these regulations and the bylaws,
they are eligible for a conditional licence that corresponds with the
conditional register in which they seek to be registered,
(v) any other requirements for registration in a conditional register set
out in the bylaws,
(vi) they have paid the applicable fee, within the time determined by the
registrar and using a method acceptable to the registrar.
(2) The processing of an application under Section 36 of the Act for an applicant
described in clause (1)(b) must be completed by the registrar as soon as
practicable.
(3) A review and decision under Sections 37 and 38 of the Act regarding an
application made by an applicant described in clause (1)(b) must be completed by
the registration and licensing committee as soon as practicable.
(4) An applicant who has not passed the examinations required for registration but
otherwise meets the requirements of subsection 13(1) may be granted conditional
registration by the registration and licensing decision maker pending the passing of
the registration examinations.
Criteria for conditional licence
13 (1) The requirements to be met for issuing a conditional licence under Section 43 of
the Act are as follows:
(a) for a person who is an existing registrant holding a practising licence, they
have
(i) agreed to conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise,
or
(ii) had conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise
imposed on them as a result of a regulatory process;
(b) for an applicant for a licence, they meet all of the following requirements:
(i) all of the criteria for registration in a practising register, other than the
criteria in subclauses 10(2)(a)(vii), (viii), (x) and (xi), and except as
provided in subsection (4),
(ii) they are registered in a conditional register that corresponds with the
licensing category for which they are seeking a conditional licence,
(iii) the requirements for a practising licence in subclauses 11(1)(a)(iii)
and (vii),
(iv) they have the capacity, competence and character to safely and
ethically engage in the practice of the profession in which they seek
to be registered with conditions or restrictions,
(v) any additional criteria for issuing a conditional licence set out in the
bylaws,
(vi) they have either
(A) agreed to the registration and licensing decision maker’s
imposition of conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to
practise, or
(B) had conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise
imposed by the registration and licensing decision maker or a
statutory committee;
(c) for all applicants, they have paid the applicable fee, within the time
determined by the registrar and using a method acceptable to the registrar.
(2) The processing of an application under Section 36 of the Act for an applicant
described in clause (1)(b) must be completed by the registrar as soon as
practicable.
(3) A review and decision under Sections 37 and 38 of the Act regarding an
application made by an applicant described in clause (1)(b) must be completed by
the registration and licensing committee as soon as practicable.
(4) An applicant who has not passed the examinations required for registration, but
who otherwise meets the requirements of subsection (1) may be issued a
conditional licence by the registration and licensing decision maker pending the
passing of the registration examinations.
Practice and Title Use Restrictions, Services Not Prohibited and Publication Restrictions
Restriction on practice of occupational therapy
14 (1) No person may engage or offer to engage in the practice of occupational therapy,
or describe their activities as “occupational therapy,” unless they are 1 of the
following:
(a) a registrant holding an occupational therapist practising licence or an
occupational therapist conditional licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise occupational therapy, in accordance with
the Act, these regulations, the General Regulations or the bylaws;
(c) exempt from the application of the Act, these regulations, the General
Regulations or the bylaws.
Restriction on use of “occupational therapist” title, description or designation
15 (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), no person may take or use the title,
description or designation of “occupational therapist”, the abbreviation “OT”, or
any derivation or abbreviation of them either alone or in combination with other
words, letters or descriptions unless the person is 1 of the following:
(a) a registrant holding 1 of the following under these regulations or the bylaws:
(i) an occupational therapist practising licence, as permitted by clause
40(a) of the Act,
(ii) an occupational therapist conditional licence;
(b) a person otherwise authorized to practise as an occupational therapist or to
use the relevant title, description or designation in accordance with the Act,
these regulations or the bylaws.
(2) A person who meets all of the requirements for registration in the practising
register except for passing the registration examinations approved by the Board,
and who has been issued a conditional licence pending the passing of the
examinations may use the following titles only:
(a) “Provisional Occupational Therapist”;
(b) “Provisional OT”.
Restriction on use of bylaw licensing category title, description or designation
16 No person may take or use the title, description or designation of a licensing category
established in the bylaws under clause 12(2)(l) of the Act, unless the person is 1 of the
following:
(a) a registrant holding a licence in the category that authorizes the use of that
title or designation;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise within the scope of the designation or to
use the title, description or designation of that licensing category, in
accordance with this Act, these regulations or the bylaws.
Services not prohibited by the Act, regulations or bylaws
17 In addition to the services set out in Section 164 of the Act, nothing in the Act, the
regulations or the bylaws prohibits the practice of occupational therapy by a
non-registrant through delegation or assignment of tasks by a registrant, if both the
practising and the delegation are done in accordance with the requirements approved by
the Board.
Restriction on use of designation in advertisement or publication
18 In any advertisement or publication, including business cards, websites and signage that
refers to activities that fall within the scope of practice of occupational therapy, the
following restrictions apply:
(a) only a person who is authorized to do so by the regulations may use the
following alone or in combination with other words, letters or descriptions:
(i) the title of “occupational therapist” or any other designation protected
by these regulations or the bylaws,
(ii) any derivation or abbreviation of the title or designations described in
subclause (i);
(b) only a person who is authorized to do so under Section 14 may describe
their activities as “occupational therapy”.
Fines
Professional conduct fine maximum
19 A fine imposed by the professional conduct committee under clause 110(1)(m) of the
Act must not exceed a maximum amount of $50 000.
The following regulations are not
yet in force and are not included in the current consolidation: