Registration services
Registration with COTO means you can work with patients safely and ethically. Your license means you can legally use the title of occupational therapist in Ontario. Every registered occupational therapist in Ontario can be found in our public register of occupational therapists.
We provide essential information to help registrants maintain or manage their registration, such as annual renewal; changing registrant profile information; understanding insurance requirements and vulnerable sector checks; taking leaves of absence and resignation; moving and accessing important documents.
Update your information
In order to keep a proper record, we need to make sure your information is up-to-date at all times. You have to update the College within 30 days of a change to any of the following information:
Name and address
Employment information – address, phone number, employment status and employment profile information
Email address
Change in professional liability insurance (insurer name, start date, expiry date and policy number)
Registration details, licensure or membership with any regulatory body in Canada or elsewhere
Maintaining currency
In order to meet the currency requirement needed to renew your registration, occupational therapists must have 600 practice hours in the past three years. Learn more about this requirement and what qualifies as practice hours.
Special circumstances for OTs
Sometimes your occupational therapy journey takes a different path. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Whether you’re taking a break, moving out of province or starting a corporation, we’ve got answers for you.
If you want to work as an occupational therapist outside of Ontario, there may be some requirements needed to start.
Provisional occupational therapists may practice the full scope of occupational therapy under the supervision of a general occupational therapist who has been approved by the College.
There are options when it comes to stopping your practice in Ontario. Whether it’s temporary or permanent, we’re here to help you understand what you need to do.
Health professionals, including occupational therapists, are allowed to incorporate for the purpose of practicing. You will need to obtain a Certificate of Authorization from your College.
College fees & registration policies
The College is a not-for-profit organization. Our operations are funded entirely by registrant fees.
For a breakdown of application, registration and renewal fees, view our fees table.
COTO’s Registration Committee oversees the registration process for occupational therapists in Ontario. They ensure transparency, fairness, and consistency in the evaluation of applicants’ qualifications and experience.
Professional liability insurance
Regardless of area of practice or practice status, all occupational therapists must have professional liability insurance that meets COTO’s requirements. Learn more about the policies and obligations for your insurance.
COTO Portal FAQ
Explore our most asked questions about the COTO portal.
The COTO Portal is the new location for:
- resigning certificates
- managing your profile
- self-reporting
- obtaining tax receipts when available
- accessing QA activities when available
- renewing registration during the renewal period
To access the COTO Portal, you must register your account first and create a new username and password. An email was sent with instructions on how to register.
To access the COTO Portal after registering, you can log in here: otportal.coto.org/SignIn. You can also access the COTO Portal by using the “Login” button on the COTO website.If you need assistance, contact registration@coto.org or 416-214-1177 ext. 230.
No, the new COTO Portal is a different system than the 2023 Quality Assurance Portal. The QA Portal is now located within the new COTO Portal. Therefore, your old login information for the QA Portal will not work for the new COTO Portal.
You must set up your account in the new COTO Portal using the instructions sent from registration@coto.org.
You can reset your password by going to the COTO Portal Login, selecting “Forgot Password” and following the instructions sent to your email.
If you need assistance, contact registration@coto.org or 416-214-1177 ext. 230.
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