Resigning or Taking a Leave

Are you retiring, unemployed, taking parental or sick leave, or moving to another province? 

If you will not be practicing occupational therapy or using the title “occupational therapist” in Nova Scotia for any reason, you have two options.

Option 1: Maintain Your Licence 

NSOTR does not have a “non-practicing” or part-time licensure option. You can continue to hold a licence even if you are not actively practicing or using title, but you must still meet all NSOTR requirements, including:

• professional liability insurance
• Continuing Competence Program requirements
• currency hours (have practiced for at least 600 hours in the past 3 years)
• renewing your licence by the May 31 deadline

Maintaining your licence allows you to return to practise in Nova Scotia at any time throughout the year. However, you must continue to pay the licensing fee and all other costs associated with licensure.

Option 2: Surrender Your Licence

Surrendering means you will no longer be licensed with NSOTR. You will not be able to work as an occupational therapist, use the title of occupational therapist, nor any abbreviation, in Nova Scotia until you re-license.

Generally, re-licensure with the Regulator involves the following:

• Completing an online re-activation form
• Submitting evidence of professional liability insurance
• Submitting a regulatory history form if you have practised in another jurisdiction
• Demonstrating currency hours
• Submitting a Vulnerable Sector Check
• Paying applicable fees

You are not required to resubmit documentation that the Regulator already has on file, for example, transcripts or NOTCE results.  For more information on Re-licensure, see the Re-Licensure page. 

To surrender your licence, please send an e-mail to registration@nsotr.ca clearly stating:

• That you wish to surrender your licence
• The date you wish your surrender to take effect

Is it Cheaper to Maintain or Surrender my Licence?

When determining whether to renew or surrender your licence, consider:

• the benefits and costs of maintaining professional liability insurance
• the cost of re-licensure, including the application fee ($50) and the cost of supporting documents such as a vulnerable sector check
• the duration of the period you intend to be on leave
• the cost of licensing fees

When calculating the cost of licensing fees, please note that discounts are provided in the following situations:

• Re-license after February 28th: Pay one-half of the licensing fee plus applicable application fee. You will be required to pay the full registration fee at renewal.
• Re-license after April 1st: Pay full registration fee plus applicable application fee. This will cover April and May for the current registration year, as well as the next registration year. 
• Surrender before August 31st: Pay approximately one-half of the registration fee at renewal OR receive a refund of approximately one-half of the registration fee when you surrender.

Before returning to practice, you will required to complete the Re-licensure process and pay applicable fees.

Currency Requirement

Please note that to be eligible for Re-licensure, you will need to meet the Regulator’s Currency requirement of 600 hours in the past 3 years. The hours must:

• be paid
• be within the scope of occupational therapy
• have involved the use of occupational therapy title

If you do not meet the Currency requirement when you apply for Re-licensure, you will need to complete the Re-Entry Program.