Internationally Educated Occupational Therapist (IEOT) Credential Assessment and Education Bursary Program
On July 19, 2022, the Province of British Columbia announced $4.5M in bursary funding to support high priority internationally educated allied health professionals (IEAHPs) that want to work in British Columbia’s (BCs) healthcare system. This program will be administered by Health Match BC (HMBC) and will be designed to retain allied health professionals in the public sector. HMBC acts in an advisory capacity to support IEAHPs throughout their journey to practice in BC, Canada.
A bursary of up to $12,138 CAD, plus applicable taxes, is available to assist IEOTs with the costs associated with becoming licensed to work in BC. HMBC, in partnership with the BC Ministry of Health (MoH) will support eligible IEOTs who want to work in BC by offering financial support to help pay for costs associated with the credential assessment, English language proficiency testing, and eligible supplemental education. This bursary will become available as of January 15, 2024.
IEOT Bursary Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this bursary, IEOTs will need to meet all of the following criteria:
- The applicant provides supporting identification document. This document must contain legal first and last names.
- The applicant can provide proof of completion of a university-level degree in occupational therapy from a country other than Canada.
- The applicant has initiated or will be initiating the Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS) Program with the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapist Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO).
- The applicant declares and signs a Return of Service (ROS) Agreement indicating that they intend to complete the full SEAS program, obtain full licensure with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC) and be willing to work with a Qualifying Employer for one year (if employment is over 0.5 FTE), or two years (if employment is 0.5 FTE or less).
- The applicant has a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Please note a SIN is not required to register for the bursary. If you are not currently residing in Canada and are eligible for the bursary, you will be reimbursed once you obtain your SIN, a Canadian address and phone number, and Canadian bank account information for direct deposit as it is necessary for any reimbursements.
- The applicant must not currently hold (or have previously held) full licensure as an occupational therapist in any province or territory in Canada.
Note: To ensure fair distribution of resources, if an applicant possesses qualifications in more than one profession that is eligible under the Internationally Educated Nurse Bursary Program and/or Internationally Educated Allied Health Bursary Program, the applicant must proceed with an application for only one profession (i.e., eligible for one funding stream only). Please contact your recruitment consultant for additional information, as multiple applications may result in funding being denied or returned to the Province.
Return of Service
IEOTs must commit to a Return of Service (ROS) agreement with the BC Ministry of Health to receive financial support through this program. The ROS agreement states that you intend to complete the full credentialling and licensure process and will work in BC with a public sector employer for a specified length of time.
The ROS is an agreement to work in the public health system for one year, if the participant’s employment is over a 0.5 FTE; or two years, if the participant’s employment is 0.5 FTE or less.
A publicly funded health sector employer includes a regional health board designated under section 4(1) of the Health Authorities Act, Provincial Health Services Authority, First Nations Health Authority or Providence Health Care; or (b) an employer at a publicly funded long-term care or assisted living facility. Qualifying employers EXCLUDE contract agencies supplying temporary and/or short-term staffing solutions to eligible facilities.
Note: Once eligibility has been confirmed, HMBC will send a ROS agreement to the applicant which must be signed and returned.
Financial Support (Bursaries)
Licensure Process Steps Eligible for Bursary Program
Bursary Amount
Requirements for Reimbursement
*Documents must be submitted to Health Match BC
Assessment of credentials by World Educational Services (WES).
Up to a maximum amount of $278 CAD plus applicable taxes
Upon proof of payment and evaluation completion.
Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS)
Phase 1 – With submission of initial application
Phase 2 – After receipt of the Academic Credential Assessment (ACA), and prior to the Jurisprudence Test (JKAT) and Profession Specific Credential Assessment (PSCA)
Phase 3 – After completion of the JKAT, PSCA, and the Language Readiness Assessment, and prior to the Competency Assessment (CA)
$4,120 plus applicable taxes
Upon proof of payment and submission of a positive Determination Report from the Determination Committee.
JKAT Remote Proctoring Fee.
Up to a maximum amount of $45 CAD
Upon proof of payment.
Completion of course required by SEAS: “Critical Thinking, Clinical Reasoning and Application in Canadian Occupational Therapy”.
Up to a maximum amount of $3,000 plus applicable taxes
Upon proof of payment, course completion and certificate of equivalency from ACOTRO. Up to two (2) attempts will be reimbursed.
English Language Proficiency (ELP) Testing.
Up to a maximum amount of $800 CAD
After proof of payment for SEAS Program. The ELP test bursary is available for up to two (2) attempts of a SEAS-accepted test, whether an applicant is successful or not. Funding is up to $400 CAD per test and is based on official receipts and completion of testing from a recognized English Language Proficiency Test.
$3,500 CAD inclusive of taxes
Upon proof of payment, course completion, and a positive Determination Report.
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapist Exam Prep course – Optional step.
$395 CAD plus applicable taxes
Upon proof of payment, course completion, and a positive Determination Report.
Maximum Possible Bursary Amount:
$12,138 CAD plus applicable taxes
Documents Required
To be eligible for the Internationally Educated Occupational Therapists (IEOT) Bursary through HMBC, applicants must:
- Register for an account with HMBC and complete the IEOT Bursary Application provided to you by your HMBC recruitment team.
Please note: If you already have an HMBC account and are interested in applying to the bursary program, please contact us at: OTBursary@healthmatchbc.org. - Provide proof of completion of a university-level degree in occupational therapy from a country other than Canada.
- Apply to the SEAS program through ACOTRO:
- If applicants have already completed the SEAS Program, they may be eligible for reimbursement:
- Provide HMBC with a copy of the receipt showing the application fee for the assessment has been paid and a positive SEAS Determination Report. Note: Reimbursement for the SEAS fees requires receipts showing the fees have been incurred on or after July 19, 2022.
- If applicants have already completed the SEAS Program, they may be eligible for reimbursement:
- Submit receipts of payment for:
- Credential evaluations from World Education Services-Canada (WES).
-
- Completion of the course if required by the SEAS Determination Committee: “Critical Thinking, Clinical Reasoning and Application in Canadian OT.”
- English Language Proficiency (ELP) Testing. Note: HMBC will only accept language proficiency tests accepted by SEAS for the purpose of the assessment process:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP G)
- International English Language Testing System General Training (IELTS GT)
- International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS AC)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet-based test (TOEFL iBT)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE Core)
- Jurisprudence Knowledge Assessment Test Remote Proctoring Fee
- UBC Program for Internationally Educated Occupational Therapists (PIE-OT) – Optional
- Once an applicant receives a positive Determination Report from the SEAS Determination Committee, they may be eligible for the following:
Note: Payment can be expected within 4-6 weeks of submitting all required documentation.
