Practice Standards and Guidelines
These are published by the College of Occupational Therapists of BC to help occupational therapists apply the Essential Competencies to BC practice by:
- Defining their responsibilities,
- Describing minimal expectations for occupational therapy practice, and
- Defining safe, ethical, competent practice.
See sidebar for why the College is moving from practice guidelines to standards. Eventually all current practice guidelines will be revised to practice standards.
Current Practice Standards
Consent Standards (April 2019)
HTML Version
Practice Standards for Consent – All
Includes overview, definitions, three standards, and the risk assessment and management tool.
Consent Practice Standard 1: Obtaining and Maintaining Consent
Consent Practice Standard 2: Determining Capability to Give Consent
Consent Practice Standard 3: Documenting Consent
Consent Risk Assessment and Management
Please note that the following standards are currently being adjusted to reflect the October 2, 2017 changes to our bylaws. Your patience is appreciated.
Professional Boundaries Standards (May 2017)
HTML Version
Professional Boundaries Practice Standards – All
Includes overview, definitions, four standards, expectations in practice, and the risk assessment and management tool.
PB Practice Standard 1: Fostering Therapeutic Relationships
PB Practice Standard 2: Recognizing Professional Boundary Issues
PB Practice Standard 3: Preventing Professional Boundary Issues
PB Practice Standard 4: Managing Professional Boundary Issues
PB Risk Assessment and Management
Preventing Sexual Misconduct Standards (May 2017)
HTML Version
Preventing Sexual Misconduct Practice Standards – All
PSM Practice Standard 1: Recognizing Sexual Misconduct
PSM Practice Standard 2: Avoiding Sexual Misconduct
PSM Practice Standard 3: Addressing Concerns related to Potential Sexual Misconduct
PSM Risk Assessment and Management
Conflict of Interest Standards (May 2016)
HTML Version
Conflict of Interest (COI) Practice Standards – All (PDF)
Includes overview, definitions, three standards, expectations in practice, and the risk assessment and management tool.
COI Practice Standard 1: Recognizing Conflict of Interest (PDF)
COI Practice Standard 2: Preventing Conflict of Interest (PDF)
COI Practice Standard 3: Managing Conflict of Interest (PDF)
COI Risk Assessment and Management (PDF)
Professional Boundaries Practice Standards – All
Managing Client Information Standards (November 2014)
HTML Version
Managing Client Information (MCI) Practice Standards – All (PDF)
Includes overview, definitions, six standards, and the risk assessment and management tool.
MCI Practice Standard 1: Collecting and Recording Client Information (PDF) (includes information regarding electronic records)
MCI Practice Standard 2: Protecting Client Information (PDF) (Privacy and Security)
MCI Practice Standard 3: Client Access to the Occupational Therapy Record (PDF)
MCI Practice Standard 4: Disclosing the Occupational Therapy Record (PDF)
MCI Practice Standard 5: Records Respecting Financial Matters (PDF)
MCI Practice Standard 6: Retention and Destruction of the Occupational Therapy Record (PDF)
MCI Risk Assessment and Management Tool (PDF)
Current Practice Guidelines
Please note that this guideline is currently being adjusted to reflect the October 2, 2017 changes to our bylaws. Your patience is appreciated.