# Standard for Use of Title, 2023

Occupational therapists use a protected title that tells the public they are qualified to provide services that meet the profession’s Standards. At times, it may be critical that clients have the assurance that a service provider is accountable to a regulator for ongoing competence and complaints.

Occupational therapists are expected to communicate their title clearly, so that the public can easily identify them as registrants of the College. They are also expected to ensure that those under their supervision communicate their own approved titles properly.

Occupational therapists are expected to:

Accurately present themselves using the protected title “occupational therapist” or “OT Reg. (Ont.).” The French title is “ergothérapeute” or “Erg. Aut. (Ont.).” Alternatively, use the acceptable psychotherapist title per the Standard for Psychotherapy

Place the protected title in a position of prominence in all communications.

Stop using any protected title or designation once they have resigned from the profession (see Appendix 1). Occupational therapists who misuse title can be found to be engaging in professional misconduct (Ontario Regulation 95/07, Professional Misconduct).

Use other titles or designations only when the occupational therapist is actively practising. For example, the occupational therapist cannot use “Assistive Devices Program Authorizer” when they are no longer a registered authorizer.

Practise using only their name as entered in the College’s public register (List of Registered Occupational Therapists). Occupational therapists who wish to use a different name must ensure that their preferred name is recorded with the College and that it appears on the public register.

When choosing to communicate any educational degrees to clients and the public, display the protected title “occupational therapist” or the designation “OT Reg. (Ont.)” in addition to their degrees. Even if holding a degree in occupational therapy, the individual must register with the College to use any version of the title “occupational therapist.”

When employment requires the qualification of “occupational therapist” but the designation is not part of the job title (for example, Case Manager or Practice Lead), ensure that proper use of title is maintained. One example is “First Name Last Name, OT Reg. (Ont.), Case Manager.”

Ensure that occupational therapy students use only the title “student occupational therapist” or “student OT.” The French equivalents are “étudiant(e) en ergothérapie” or “étudiant(e) en erg.”

Ensure that students who are from another profession and under the occupational therapist’s supervision present their student title clearly to clients, other professionals, partners, and interested parties.

Ensure that College applicants completing a refresher program under the occupational therapist’s supervision use the title “candidate occupational therapist” or “candidate OT.” For an explanation of the different types of applicants, including those not permitted to use these titles, see Appendix 2.

Never use a title or designation that indicates or implies that the occupational therapist is a specialist. The College does not have specialist designations. It is considered professional misconduct to use a term, title, or designation indicating or implying specialization in the profession.

When communicating an area of practice within the profession of occupational therapy to the public, use a term such as “practising in” or “with a focus in.” One example is “First Name Last Name, OT Reg. (Ont.), Practising in Driver Rehabilitation.”

Include only credentials that represent a training program that is current, evidence-informed, and theoretically sound.

Before communicating the credential to the public, ensure that it:

Is valid and accurate

Applies to the scope of occupational therapy practice

Relates to the occupational therapist’s current area of practice

Depicts the level of credential earned

Is verifiable, with evidence to be provided by the occupational therapist upon request

When communicating with clients and the public, use the protected title “occupational therapist” or the designation “OT Reg. (Ont.)” and the full name of the additional credentials. One example is “First Name Last Name, MSc (OT), OT Reg. (Ont.), Certified Hand Therapist.”

When communicating with an audience who recognizes the credential, use an abbreviation, if desired. For example, an occupational therapist publishing research in a journal on hand therapy may use the abbreviation “CHT” to represent “Certified Hand Therapist.”

Maintain competence associated with additional credentials communicated to the public, and upon request, provide evidence of ongoing competence.

Use the title “doctor” only as permitted by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. The Act permits the use of this title by chiropractors, dentists, naturopaths, optometrists, physicians, and psychologists.

When holding a doctorate degree such as a PhD or a clinical doctorate of occupational therapy (OTD), use the title “doctor” for only non-clinical purposes. Never use the title “doctor” when providing or offering to provide healthcare services.

The College does not have an “inactive” status that permits occupational therapists to maintain a certificate of registration when they are no longer actively registered with the College. Occupational therapists who have resigned from the College cannot use the protected title.

Former registrants may be called upon to share knowledge with service groups, the public, students, and other occupational therapists or professionals through formats such as presentations, articles, and book chapters. Former registrants should clearly communicate that they were educated as an occupational therapist or used to be an occupational therapist, but do not currently provide occupational therapy services.

Individuals who have applied for registration with the College but are not yet registered are called “applicants.” Applicants are not legally entitled to work as occupational therapists in Ontario. Applicants awaiting confirmation of registration status from the College, for either a provisional, general, or temporary certificate of registration, are not permitted to use the protected title or designation.

Nor can applicants use the title “candidate occupational therapist.” The “candidate” title is reserved for individuals completing a College-approved clinical refresher placement under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist.

Applicants are also not permitted to start work, training, or orientation for a job as an occupational therapist. This may be considered presenting oneself as a registrant before being registered and licenced to practise.

Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations. (2016). Backgrounder on use of title in retirement. http://www.acotro-acore.org/sites/default/files/uploads/otc_backgrounder_on_use_of_title_in_retirement.pdf

Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations. (2017). Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on use of title in retirement. http://www.acotro-acore.org/sites/default/files/uploads/acotro_faq_on_use_of_title_in_retirement_with_logo.pdf

Ontario Regulation 95/07, Professional Misconduct. (2007). Retrieved from the Government of Ontario website: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/070095

Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, Statutes of Ontario (1991, c. 18). Retrieved from the Government of Ontario website: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/91r18