Virtual Care
Before delivering services through virtual health care across jurisdictions, occupational therapists must ensure that decisions regarding service provisions are in the client’s best interest. For COTBC’s purposes, virtual care is defined as any interaction between clients and registrants that occurs remotely, using any communication or information technologies, to facilitate access to occupational therapy services.
It is the occupational therapist’s responsibility to consider whether the quality of service offered in a virtual format will meet the client’s needs or whether in-person services would be the most suitable option for service delivery. The occupational therapist’s responsibility is to inform clients about the risks, benefits, and limitations of virtual occupational therapy services.
It is expected that occupational therapists providing virtual services to clients residing in British Columbia adhere to the following:
- Disclose the province where they are registered / licensed to the client.
- Notify the client of the location from which they are providing the service.
- Ensure their liability insurance provides coverage for virtual activities.
- Ensure they have adequate information about resources where the client is located.
- Have a contingency plan should virtual services no longer be appropriate.
Occupational Therapy Services Provided When the Client is WITHIN British Columbia
The College requires occupational therapists to register if they provide occupational therapy services for clients with primary residence in British Columbia (BC).
If the client is not a resident of BC but is visiting or vacationing in BC for 45 days or less, the occupational therapist is not required to register with the College; however, if the client’s stay in BC exceeds 45 days, temporary registration would be required. If their stay exceeds 90 days, full registration would be required.
For more information review the Registration section of our website or email registration@cotbc.org for details on fees.
Occupational Therapy Services Provided When the Client is OUTSIDE British Columbia
Providing Services for Clients in Other Canadian Provinces & Territories
Registration requirements, legislation, and restricted activities vary across provinces. Occupational therapists registered with the College who are considering providing services for clients residing either temporarily or permanently in other provinces are advised to check with the province’s regulatory body where the occupational therapy services will occur. Links to each of the provincial regulators can be found on the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO) website.
Registrants are responsible for ensuring that their insurance coverage is applicable when providing services for clients residing outside BC.
Providing Services for Clients Outside of Canada
When clients are located outside of Canada (e.g., vacation or job posting), it is important to recognize that regulatory legislation of occupational therapy varies from state to state and country to country. As not all countries have regulatory legislation or regulatory bodies, registrants need to confirm whether registration is required in the jurisdiction where the client is located (refer to the WFOT International Practice Guide). If registration is not required, this must be documented in the client’s occupational therapy record. Registrants must ensure the client knows that occupational therapy services are provided within BC.
Providing Services When an Occupational Therapist is OUTSIDE of British Columbia
If a College registrant is outside the province and wishes to continue to provide virtual services to their clients who reside in BC, they need to ensure that their insurance coverage continues to be applicable. Registrants must notify the client that they are located outside the province during service delivery.
For further assistance, contact our registration team at registration@cotbc.org.
Email questions about occupational therapy to practice@cotbc.org.
Occupational therapists must register with COTBC if they wish to provide occupational therapy services to clients located in BC for longer than 90 days. If the client will be in BC for less than 45 days, registration with the College is not mandatory. Please see the Registration page for more information.
You should contact the College of Occupational Therapists of Nova Scotia to determine their requirements for providing occupational therapy services when a client is in Nova Scotia (either temporarily or permanently). It is also your responsibility to ensure that your liability insurance covers you when providing virtual services outside the province of BC.
It is recommended that you follow up with the regulatory body, if applicable, in that jurisdiction (refer to the WFOT International Practice Guide). If registration is not required, this must be documented in the client’s occupational therapy record. Registrants must ensure the client knows that occupational therapy services are provided within BC.
Yes, you may continue to see appropriate clients for virtual services. You would need to ensure that your insurance coverage continues to be applicable. Registrants must notify the client that the therapist is outside the province during service delivery.
You can provide testimony in BC without needing to purchase registration, as your testimony is related to your assessment conducted in Ontario. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that your liability insurance coverage is applicable when you leave the province of Ontario to perform your business activities outside that province.
No, you would not need to register with the College to teach a course. However, the presenting therapist(s) must introduce themselves as an occupational therapist registered or licensed to practice in their respective jurisdictions.
Yes, temporary registration would be required since you would be supervising a student occupational therapist in BC and working with clients who reside in BC. The College has two options for temporary registration (i.e. practicing 1-45 consecutive days twice a year or 1-90 consecutive days in 12 months). Please email registration@cotbc.org for more information on fees and registration requirements.
