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Q&As

Client is Driving With a Suspended License

Question: My client, whose driver’s license was medically suspended, revealed that he has been driving. Do I need to report this to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO)? Answer:…

Q&As

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Surveillance and Occupational Therapy Practice

Increasingly, third parties are asking occupational therapists to review surveillance material and render a professional opinion as part of their assessment, independent medical examination or paper review. Surveillance…

Q&As

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Discretionary Reporting

Question: In some settings, an organization may decide who should report a client to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). If the organization decides that a physician…

Webinars & Podcasts

Privacy Legislation and Occupational Therapy Practice Presentation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63zHr5bMSBs&t=37s Watch the College's presentation on the Privacy Legislation and Occupational Therapy Practice guidance document, hosted by the College's Manager of Practice, Sandra Carter and Practice Consultant Diane…

Case Studies

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Working with OTAs in a Private Community-Based Practice

Quinn is an occupational therapist and owner of a private practice. She receives referrals mainly from insurers and lawyers for clients after motor vehicle accident or personal injury….

Case Studies

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Recording Occupational Therapy Sessions

Please note: This content contains references to an older version of the Code of Ethics and may not reflect recent updates. As of September 21, 2026, the new…

Case Studies

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Requests from Clients to Sign Forms and Documents

Occupational therapists (OTs) are often asked by clients and other stakeholders to complete forms and documents as part of the occupational therapy service. Examples: Melissa is an occupational…

Case Studies

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Lessons from an In-Home Assessment Complaint

Amanda is an occupational therapist and acts as an independent assessor for an insurance company. She receives a referral to assess for attendant care services in the home…

Case Studies

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What should I do when a client discloses domestic abuse?

Joleen is an occupational therapist in a professional practice leadership role for a home and community agency. Since the staff have resumed more in-person sessions, Joleen has noticed…

Q&As

Disclosing Personal Health Information

Question: When can personal health information be disclosed without consent? Answer: Maintaining the confidentiality of all clients’ personal health information (PHI) is extremely important. Clients have the right…

Q&As

Client Under the Influence of Cannabis

Q: What should I do if a client shows up for an occupational therapy appointment and they are under the influence of cannabis? A: If a client is…

Case Studies

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Client suicidal ideation and privacy

Trixie, an occupational therapist (OT), received a referral for a home safety assessment for an 85-year-old client, Mr. Porter. The referral came through the rehabilitation company she works…

Practice Guidance

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Guide to Ethical Practice

Q&As

Including Forms and Other Documents in the Record

Question: Should forms or other documents (for example, standardized assessment forms, funding applications or vendor quotes) be included in the clinical record? Answer: As outlined in the College’s…

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Considerations when hiring an occupational therapist

Any occupational therapist should ask you a series of questions to understand your needs and goals. It’s just as important to have your questions answered, so that you…

News

January 29, 2026 Board Meeting Highlights

Quarterly Performance Report The Board received the FY2025-2026 Quarterly Performance Report. The report reflects the work of College programs and Committees to meet their regulatory obligations and advance…

Practice Guidance

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Guidance: Medical Assistance in Dying, 2025

Insights from Investigations

Insights to Support Your Practice

The College analyzes data about cases and uses it to highlight trends and provide insights to registrants that may be helpful in their practice. We looked at the…

Resource

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Practice Tips

Practice Tip of the Week Archive Look for a new tip shared every week on our social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. You can also watch our…

Practice Guidance

Culture, Equity, and Justice in Occupational Therapy Practice

Case Studies

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Maintaining Professional Boundaries

At some point in every occupational therapist’s career, the issue of a professional boundary crossing with a client will come up. A boundary crossing occurs when an occupational…

Q&As

Documentation after leaving employment

Question: Do I need to respond to questions or requests about past clinical records if I have already left my place of employment? Answer: Yes, as regulated health…

News

Updating your Contact Information with the College

All regulated health professionals are required to keep their contact and employment information up-to-date with their regulator. Changes to the information must be made within 30 days. The…

Insights from Investigations

Data from June 2024-November 2024

From June 1 to November 30, 2024, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) made decisions on a total of 11 investigations—five complaint investigations and six Registrar’s Investigations….

News

Insights from Investigations: Data from June 2024-November 2024

From June 1 to November 30, 2024, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) made decisions on a total of 11 investigations—five complaint investigations and six Registrar’s Investigations.

Practice Tools

Professional Obligations

Occupational therapists are accountable to the people they care for and serve, their peers, other regulated professions and their regulator – the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario….

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Newsletters

The College regularly communicates with occupational therapists by email regarding changes to standards, mandatory registration requirements, public consultations and more. If you would like to access archived issues…

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Health Inquiries

Sometimes, an occupational therapist may suffer from a mental or physical condition that affects their ability to practise. “Incapacity” is the term used when an occupational therapist cannot…

Legislation & Bylaws

Legislation & Bylaws

What are the roles and powers of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario? Every health regulatory college has its own legal framework for governing its profession. Learn…

Standards

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Standard for the Supervision of Students and Occupational Therapy Assistants, 2023