Menu

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 $8,475 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 Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC) 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 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.

What is the process for Internationally Educated Occupational Therapists?

In BC, occupational therapists (OTs) must be licensed with the COTBC in order to practice as an occupational therapist. For IEOTs, the process begins through ACOTRO, the national credentialing body. To become licensed in BC, IEOTs must first apply for ACOTRO’s SEAS Program. ACOTRO will use the SEAS Program to evaluate whether an IEOT’s educational qualifications and competencies are substantially equivalent to those of a Canadian-educated occupational therapist. 

The SEAS assessment consists of three phases:

  • Phase 1 is the Academic Credential Assessment (ACA), including a review of proof of identity documents.
  • Phase 2 assesses the applicant’s language readiness and conducts a Profession-Specific Credential Assessment
    (PSCA), and requires applicants to complete a Jurisprudence Knowledge Assessment Test (JKAT).
  • Phase 3 is a Competency Assessment (CA) and is the final step in the SEAS program.

Once an IEOT has completed all three phases of the SEAS program, the file is reviewed by the SEAS Determination Committee and a decision is made on whether the applicant has met substantial equivalency and if any supplemental education is required. Determination results will be communicated to applicants in a SEAS Determination Report. Possible determination outcomes include:

  1. Applicant is deemed substantially equivalent:
    1. Applicant received an overall score of 90% or greater on the Competency Assessment (CA)
    2. Applicant met the minimum threshold for all units on the CA
    3. Applicant met the minimum requirements for the following SEAS assessments:
      1. Academic Credential Assessment (ACA)
      2. Profession-Specific Credential Assessment (PSCA) fieldwork hours
      3. PSCA curriculum
      4. Jurisprudence Test (JKAT)
  2. Applicant is deemed substantially equivalent:
    1. Applicant has NOT met the minimum requirement of 73% on one of two attempts at the JKAT but is issued a
      certificate of substantial equivalency for eligibility to apply for licensure with COTBC if all the
      following criteria are met: 
      1. Applicant received an overall score of 90% or greater on the CA
      2. Applicant met the minimum threshold for all units on the CA
      3. Applicant met the minimum requirements for the following SEAS assessments:
        1. ACA
        2. PSCA fieldwork hours
        3. PSCA curriculum
      4. The failed result of the JKAT will be reported to COTBC at the time the applicant applies for the licensure.
        COTBC will determine whether any gap-filling is required to address applicant’s gaps in jurisprudence
        knowledge.
  3. Applicant is deemed substantially equivalent:
    1. Applicant has NOT met the minimum requirement of 1,000 fieldwork hours, but is issued a certificate of substantial equivalency for eligibility to apply for licensure with COTBC if all the following criteria are met: 
      1. Applicant received an overall score of 90% or greater on the CA
      2. Applicant met the minimum threshold for all units on the CA
      3. Applicant met the minimum requirements for the following SEAS assessments:
        1. ACA
        2. JKAT
        3. PSCA curriculum
    2. COTBC will be advised that applicant has not met the minimum requirement for fieldwork hours at the time of application for licensure. COTBC will determine whether any gap-filling or supervised practice is required.
  4. Gap-filling may be required:
    1. Applicant received an overall score of 90% or greater on the CA, but the minimum threshold for one or more unit(s) was not met.
    2. Applicant received an overall score of 90% or greater on the CA, but the minimum requirement for the ACA, and/or PSCA fieldwork hours, and/or PSCA curriculum review were not met (see C above if fieldwork hours is the only assessment component not met)
  5. Gap-filling is required:
    1. Gap-filling is required if applicant’s overall score on the CA is between 80-89%. The Committee will consider the results of all SEAS assessments to determine the gap-filling requirements.
  6. Applicant is deemed NOT substantially equivalent
    1. Applicant is deemed not substantially equivalent if their score on the CA is 79% or less.

Once the applicant receives a positive determination outcome from the Determination Committee, and has completed any required supplemental education (i.e. outcomes 1-5 above), the applicant is eligible to submit for licensure to the COTBC. Once licensed with the college, the COTBC will sent notification to the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam (NOTCE), offered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), that the applicant is eligible to write the NOTCE.

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 credentialing 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

Assessment of credentials by World Educational Services (WES).

$260 CAD + applicable taxes

Reimbursement can occur upon completion and with proof of payment provided to HMBC.

Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS) Phase 1.

$400 CAD + applicable taxes 

For Participants who have not yet started the SEAS Program: Upon proof of payment to Health Match BC.

For Participants who have started Phases 1 and/or 2 of the SEAS Program: Upon proof of payment to Health Match BC.

For Participants who have completed Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the SEAS program: Upon proof of payment to Health Match BC. These Participants will also be required to provide proof of a positive Determination Report from the Determination Committee.

Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS) assessment Phase 2.
After receipt of the Academic Credential Assessment (ACA), and prior to the Jurisprudence Test (JKAT) and Profession Specific Credential Assessment (PSCA). 

$1,500 CAD + applicable taxes

For Participants who have not yet started the SEAS Program: Upon proof of payment to Health Match BC.

For Participants who have started Phases 1 and/or 2 of the SEAS Program: Upon proof of payment to Health Match BC.

For Participants who have completed Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the SEAS program: Upon proof of payment to Health Match BC. These Participants will also be required to provide proof of a positive Determination Report from the Determination Committee.

JKAT Remote Proctoring Fee.

The exact amount, to a maximum of $40 CAD

Reimbursement can occur with proof of payment provided to Health Match BC.

Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS) assessment Phase 3.
After completion of the JKAT, PSCA, and the Language Readiness Assessment, and prior to the Competency Assessment (CA).

$2,100 CAD + applicable taxes

For Participants who have not yet started the SEAS Program: Upon proof of payment to Health Match BC.

For Participants who have started Phases 1 and/or 2 of the SEAS Program: Upon proof of payment to Health Match BC.

For Participants who have completed Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the SEAS program: Upon proof of payment to Health Match BC. These Participants will also be required to provide proof of a positive Determination Report from the Determination Committee.

Completion of course required by SEAS: “Critical Thinking, Clinical Reasoning and Application in Canadian Occupational Therapy”.

Up to a maximum of $3,000 CAD + applicable taxes 

Reimbursement can occur with proof of payment and after course completion provided to Health Match BC and after proof of SEAS assessment. Up to 2 attempts will be reimbursed.  

English Language Proficiency (ELP) Testing.

Up to a maximum amount of $800 CAD, inclusive of any applicable taxes.

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.

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapist Exam Prep course – Optional step.

$390 CAD + applicable taxes

Reimbursement can occur with proof of payment and course completion provided to Health Match BC.

Maximum Possible Bursary Amount:

$8,475 CAD + applicable tax

Documents Required

To be eligible for the Internationally Educated Occupational Therapists (IEOT) Bursary through HMBC, applicants must:

  • Apply for the IEOT Bursary by registering for an account with HMBC.
  • 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 not yet initiated the SEAS program, they may be eligible for reimbursements at each Phase of the Program.

Note: Payment can be expected within 4-6 weeks of submitting all required documentation.

Apply Now

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Step 1 of 5

Personal Information

* Denotes required field
Name
Address
If ZIP/postal code is not applicable, please enter '000000'.

If you have any questions about the application form or the use of this information, please contact us at otbursary@healthmatchbc.org

Frequently Asked Questions


GENERAL ALLIED HEALTH BURSARY PROGRAM QUESTIONS

  • What is the new Internationally Educated Allied Bursary Program?

    On July 19, 2022, the Province of British Columbia announced $4.5M in funding to provide bursaries to high priority internationally educated allied health professionals (IEAHPs) that want to work in BC’s health system. 

    Health Match BC, in partnership with the BC Ministry of Health, will support eligible IEAHPs who want to work in BC by offering financial support to help pay for many of the costs associated with credential assessment, English Language proficiency testing, and supplementary education, such as exam preparation and bridging or gap-filling education.

    To be eligible, IEAHPs must commit to a Return of Service (ROS) agreement with the BC Ministry of Health to receive financial support through the bursary program.

    By reducing barriers to the assessment and licensing or certification process, qualified IEAHPs will be able to enter the workforce sooner, so that people in British Columbia will have access to even more allied health professionals to support their healthcare needs.

INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS (IEOTs)

RETURN OF SERVICE (ROS) AGREEMENT

IMMIGRATION

Allied Health Jobs BC

This site is maintained by Health Match BC, a free health professional recruitment service that is becoming part of
BCHealthCareers.ca. While we complete this transition, Health Match BC programs and services will remain unchanged. We respectfully acknowledge that our head office is located on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.