Registration Renewal FAQs

THIS VERSION: 06-Jul-2021

Below are frequently asked questions around registration renewal. If you don’t find the answer to your question below, please email us at registration@cotbc.org and we will be happy to help you.

System Requirements & Log In

Laptops, desktops, tablets, notebooks, and smartphones are compatible, but a larger device or screen is best. All browsers will work except Internet Explorer.

Your user ID is the email address you provided to COTBC. If you are unsure of what email address you provided, please contact the College by email at registration@cotbc.org or by phone at 1-866-386-6822 (toll-free in BC) or 1-250-386-6822.

Your password remains unchanged from last year. If you cannot remember your password, or if this is your first time renewing, please click “Forgot Your Password” and enter the email the College has on file. The system will email a password reset. You should receive the password within a few minutes. If you do not receive your password link, please check your junk/spam folder. If it’s not in your junk/spam folder, please contact the College to confirm your email.

No, the ACCR and Renewal are on separate platforms. They do not communicate passwords or password resets. You may choose to set your renewal password as the same as your ACCR password, but it will not automatically update the other platform. Please use the reset “Forgot Your Password” to reset your renewal password if needed. For information regarding the ACCR, please see the Quality Assurance Program FAQs.

Please allow a few minutes for it to update or use a different browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari). Try clearing your browser history and reviewing your privacy settings.

Alternatively, you may use a Private Window (also known as Incognito) in the different browsers by pressing:

  • CTRL+SHIFT+N (Chrome on Windows)
  • COMMAND+SHIFT+N (Chrome on Mac)
  • CTRL+SHIFT+N (Microsoft Edge)
  • CTRL+SHIFT+P (Firefox)
  • COMMAND+SHIFT+N (Apple Safari)

Once in a Private / Incognito Window, enter the Alinity URL link (https://cotbcv6.alinityapp.com/Account/Login) into the address bar.

Check your spam, promotion, and junk folders. Do you have multiple email addresses (work, personal)? Check your alternate email address.

The security of your personal information is important to the College. The College now uses two-factor authentication as an added layer of security. You may be asked to enter a code that has been sent to your email address, in addition to your password, to access your registration profile.

The code usually arrives quickly, but if it does not, check your junk/spam folder and ensure you are checking the correct email address.

Please note that clicking ‘Send New Code’ will generate a different code and render the previous one invalid.

Not necessarily. If you sign in using a different device than the first time you logged in (e.g., cell phone, iPad, or laptop), you will be asked to re-verify your identity using the two-step verification. If you change browsers (e.g., from Chrome to Firefox), you will be asked again to verify your identify using the two-step verification.

Check which Internet browser you are using. Internet Explorer is not supported. Please use Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. If you still see a cogwheel, clear the browser history or use another browser. Links to other browsers are provided below.

Registration Renewal Deadline

The renewal deadline is June 30, 2023.

  • If you do not complete/finalize your registration on or before June 30, your registration will be cancelled, and you cannot provide occupational therapy services or use the title occupational therapist.
  • Should you decide to complete/finalize your renewal after June 30, you must apply for, and be reinstated, prior to returning to work. Apart from your annual fee of $525.00, you will be charged a late penalty fee of $183.75 (35% of your registration renewal fee).
  • Potential referral to COTBC’s Inquiry Committee.

Registration Renewal Fees

Professional Liability Insurance

No. When you complete your registration renewal you will enter your insurance details. There is a separate declaration stating you understand it is your responsibility to maintain professional liability insurance coverage throughout your registration and that you are insured for practice in all public and private places of employment.

Please contact your insurance provider with questions regarding your professional liability insurance coverage. While the College does not require you to maintain insurance while registered as a non-practising or a former registrant, it may be recommended to maintain professional liability insurance while on leave or while retired to protect yourself in the event that a complaint is made to the College, or lawsuits are brought forth over situations that may have occurred in the past, when you were practising.

Currency Hours

No. The currency requirements remain the same. To renew, College Bylaws require registrants to meet one the following currency hour requirements:

  • Successful completion of at least 600 hours within the scope of the profession in the preceding 3 years.
  • Successful completion of a re-entry program within the preceding 18 months.
  • Graduation from a recognized Canadian occupational therapy program or being deemed substantially equivalent, having obtained an academic qualification from a program or institution outside Canada, within the past 18 months.

Use our currency calculator to see if you have enough hours. You can also request a currency review by filling out the College’s online form.

No, please contact the College office for further information regarding the options available to you.

Changing Registration Status – Leaves of Absence or Moving Provinces

If you will not be working or using title as an occupational therapist after June 30, 2023 then you have the following options:

  • Renew in the Full Practising category. This allows you to return to practice at any time throughout the 2023-2024 registration year. You are still required to meet currency hour requirements.
  • Renew in the Non-Practising category for the 2023-2024 year. You will remain on the mailing list of the College and continue to receive all College mailings.
  • Cancel your registration to Former Registrant. You would then be a former registrant in good standing with the College.

Your registration with the College will expire on June 30, 2023. Should you wish to work as an occupational therapist in BC after that point, you must renew your registration with the College. If you do not finalize your renewal, including payment of fees on or before June 30, 2023, your registration will be cancelled for non-payment of dues. You will not be registered and will be unable to provide occupational therapy services (work) or use the title occupational therapist unless you apply and are successfully be reinstated. Along with the annual fee of $525.00, you will be charged a late penalty fee of $183.75 (35% of your registration renewal fee).

Note if you seek registration with another provincial occupational therapy regulatory body, the College would provide information indicating your registration expired as of June 30, 2023 because you did not renew your registration for the 2023-2024 year.

The employment information you provide ensures we have the most recent information for the registration year currently finishing. In the event you return to practice, having your most recent employment information ensures your currency data is up to date. Please provide your employment information for the period of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

Annual Continuing Competence Review (ACCR) Related Questions

Yes. Completing the ACCR is the continuing competence requirement for renewing your registration by June 30. Until your ACCR is done and submitted, your registration cannot be finalized.

If you are currently non-practising, moving to non-practising or cancelling your registration as of July 1, 2023, you do not need to complete the ACCR, but you are welcome to do so. If you don’t plan to do the ACCR, email qaprogram@cotbc.org with your intended registration status as of July 1, 2023, and your name will be removed from the reminder list.