Since 2015 the Substantial Equivalency Assessment System (SEAS) has provided a centralized process for the assessment of educational qualifications and competencies of internationally educated occupational therapists (IEOTs) who wish to work in Canada.

Once IEOT’s successfully complete the SEAS processes, they are found to be substantially equivalent to a Canadian educated occupational therapist. They can then apply for registration with any Canadian occupational therapy provincial regulator with the exception of Quebec, which has its own similar processes.

In recent years over 175 IEOTs have applied to SEAS annually, and this is increasing each year.

IEOTs are one important part of meeting the growing demand for occupational therapy services across Canada.

SEAS is embarking on a three-year project to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness in the foreign recognition process for IEOTs.

From 2025 through 2028, ACOTRO will:

• Strengthen all SEAS components
• Reflect the new Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Canada into both the education qualification recognition and competency verification components
• Automate processes for greater efficiency and effectiveness
• Develop and implement simplified program navigation and case study tools for IEOTs

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program, and in part by the Government of British Columbia’s Ministry of Health.

While this project is underway, IEOTs will continue to be assessed by SEAS, which will implement its enhanced processes as they become available.

Watch this page for further updates as the project progresses.