What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy improves life participation through rehabilitation, adaptation, equipment acquisition, and health promotion. Occupational Therapists are health professionals who work with their clients, of all ages and abilities, to assume or resume the skills they need to complete the occupations involved with the job of living. These occupations involve tasks or activities that occupy your time and energy, such as bathing or mowing the lawn. Occupations vary with age, abilities, interests, and responsibilities, and can be affected by illness, disease, or circumstance. Occupational Therapists work with people to achieve their occupational goals of everyday life.
Professional Associations
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)
CAOT is the national professional association; their purpose is to advance the profession of occupational therapy in order to improve the health of Canadians. Membership with CAOT is optional. New graduate occupational therapists are eligible for reduced membership rates.
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, Saskatchewan Chapter (CAOT-SK)
The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists - Saskatchewan (CAOT-SK) is a chapter of CAOT that provides regional representation, advocacy, support, resources, services, products, and networking events to assist occupational therapists and affiliated members in Saskatchewan in achieving excellence in their professional practice. Membership with CAOT and CAOT-SK is combined. The strategic priorities of CAOT-SK include representing the professional interests of Saskatchewan OTs to external stakeholders; promoting OT in Saskatchewan via government, public, and media relations; and engaging OTs in the community.
Regulatory Board
ACOTRO is the national organization of occupational therapy regulators in Canada. ACOTRO’s ten provincial members protect the public by regulating the practice of occupational therapy in their respective provinces. Through ACOTRO, regulators collaborate to promote consistency and excellence in regulating occupational therapy across Canada.
Saskatchewan College of Occupational Therapists (SCOT)
The Saskatchewan College of Occupational Therapists (SCOT) is the governing body responsible for regulating the practice of occupational therapy in Saskatchewan. SCOT's role is to protect the public through quality regulation of occupational therapy practice in Saskatchewan. Registration and licensure with the SCOT is mandatory to work as an occupational therapist in Saskatchewan.
Occupational Therapy Competency Examination
The successful completion of the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam (NOTCE) is required in order to establish eligibility for a full practicing occupational therapy license in Saskatchewan and many jurisdictions in Canada. For more information, please refer to the NOTCE website.