FINAL DETERMINATION

The last step in the SEAS process is the Final Determination. This is the determination as to whether or not you have met the substantial equivalency requirement. This section provides a summary of the final determination process.

Determination Committee

After you have completed all SEAS assessments, your SEAS file will be referred to a panel of the Determination Committee (Committee). The Committee examines the results of all assessments that comprise SEAS and determines whether or not your educational qualifications and competence are substantially equivalent to those of Canadian-educated occupational therapists. Determination committee meetings are held monthly.

Each panel of the Committee is comprised of three occupational therapists (OTs):

  • Two practicing OTs representing a variety of practice areas, contexts, and roles
  • One member of the Canadian occupational therapy academic community

Determination Outcomes

The following is an overview of all possible determination outcomes:

a) Substantially Equivalent

You will be deemed substantially equivalent if all the following criteria are met:

  • You received an overall score of 90% or greater on the Competency Assessment (CA)
  • You met the minimum threshold for all units on CA
  • You met the minimum requirements for the following SEAS assessments:
    – ACA
    – PSCA fieldwork hours
    – PSCA curriculum
    – JKAT

b) Substantially Equivalent

If you have not met the minimum requirement of 73% on one of two attempts at the JKAT, you will be issued a certificate of substantial equivalency for eligibility to apply for registration with a provincial regulatory college if all the following criteria are met:

  • You received an overall score of 90% or greater on the CA
  • You met the minimum threshold for all units on the CA
  • You met the minimum requirements for the following SEAS assessments:
    – ACA
    – PSCA fieldwork hours
    – PSCA curriculum

The failed result of the JKAT will be reported to the provincial regulatory college, at the time you apply for registration. The regulatory college will determine whether any gap-filling is required to address your gaps in jurisprudence knowledge.

c) Substantially Equivalent

If you have not met the minimum requirement of 1000 fieldwork hours, you will be issued a certificate of substantial equivalency for eligibility to apply for registration with a provincial regulatory college if all the following criteria are met:

  • You received an overall score of 90% or greater on the CA of 90% or greater
  • You met the minimum threshold for all units on the CA
  • You met the minimum requirements for the following SEAS assessments:
    – ACA
    – JKAT
    – PSCA curriculum

The provincial regulatory college will be advised that you have not met the minimum requirement for fieldwork hours at the time you apply for registration. The regulatory college will determine whether any gap-filling or supervised practice is required.

d) Gap-filling May Be Required

Gap-filling may be required if:

  • You received an overall score of 90% or greater on the CA, but the minimum threshold for one or more units was not met.
  • You 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)

Note: If you did not meet the minimum requirement of 73% on one of two attempts at the JKAT, the failed result of the JKAT will be reported to the provincial regulatory college at the time you apply for registration. The regulatory college will determine if any gap-filling is required to address your gaps in jurisprudence knowledge.

e) Gap-filling Is Required

Gap-filling will be required if your overall score on the CA is between 80% – 89%. The Committee will consider the results of all your SEAS assessments to determine the gap-filling requirements.

Note: If you did not meet the minimum requirement of 73% on one of two attempts at the JKAT, the failed result of the JKAT will be reported to the provincial regulatory college at the time you apply for registration. The regulatory college will determine if any gap-filling is required to address your gaps in jurisprudence knowledge.

f) Not Substantially Equivalent

You will not meet the substantial equivalency requirement if your score on the CA is 79% or less.

Next Steps

Your determination results will be communicated to you in a SEAS Determination Report. You will receive this report, by email, within 30 days of the date of the Committee’s decision. You will also receive a cover letter, which will detail any next steps, if applicable. Refer to the ACOTRO/SEAS POLICIES page for information on requesting a reconsideration of your final determination.