Virtual Care Registration

Information updated January 2026

Providing Remote (Virtual) Services Across Jurisdictions

Prior to providing remote (virtual) services to clients outside of Newfoundland and Labrador, occupational therapists are encouraged to contact the regulatory authority in the other region, because other jurisdictions may have different requirements for providing remote services.

Similarly, occupational therapists who want to provide remote services while they themselves are located outside of Newfoundland and Labrador also need to contact the regulator in that region and comply with any local requirements.

In Canada

NLOTB signed and adopted the Memorandum of Understanding on Cross-Jurisdiction Remote Practice. Under this agreement, occupational therapists registered in Newfoundland and Labrador who want to provide remote services to clients located in:

British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are permitted to do so under their NLOTB registration. Occupational therapists are encouraged to confirm any local requirements with the provincial regulator.

Alberta, Quebec and Saskatchewan: occupational therapists must contact the regulators in these provinces to obtain special authorization to provide remote services and/or learn about restricted activities that differ from NLOTB’s requirements. Please refer to the Appendix A Memorandum of Understanding on Cross-Jurisdiction Remote Practice.

These rules apply whether clients are temporarily or permanently located outside of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Please note: Effective May 22, 2025: NLOTB occupational therapists no longer need to be registered in British Columbia to provide remote services to British Columbia residents.

Occupational Therapists Registered in Other Provinces

Occupational therapists who are registered with any province listed above may provide remote services from their province to clients located in Newfoundland and Labrador without having to be registered with NLOTB.

Outside of Canada

To provide remote services to clients outside of Canada, occupational therapists should contact the regulatory authority in that region and determine if registration is required to provide remote occupational therapy services.

If the occupational therapist is located outside of Canada and wants to provide remote services to their Newfoundland and Labrador client, the clinician should contact the regulator in that region and comply with any local requirements.

When an occupational therapist does not need to be registered in the secondary jurisdiction

If an occupational therapist is providing education remotely in the form of an online workshop/webinar, etc. to an audience in another jurisdiction, the occupational therapist does not need to be registered in the secondary jurisdiction.

The presenting therapist(s) must introduce themselves as an occupational therapist currently registered/licensed to practice in their own jurisdiction.

Rules for In-person Services

The rules for in-person services are unchanged. To provide in-person services to a client in Newfoundland and Labrador, occupational therapists must obtain temporary or general registration with NLOTB.

What if a client has concerns about the occupational therapy services they received?

Occupational therapists must abide by regulatory Code of Ethics and applicable professional standards and guidance in the province where they are regulated.

If a client has concerns about the services they received, they can file a complaint with any regulatory organization where the occupational therapist is registered.

List of Provincial Occupational Therapy Regulators

For questions, please contact NLOTB.

What is a Virtual Service?

Virtual services refer to using information and communication technologies to provide occupational therapy services when clients and occupational therapists (OTs) are not together in-person. Virtual services (also known as telepractice, remote service, online or virtual care) can include phone calls, video conferencing, or other technology-assisted formats.

Considerations When Providing Remote (Virtual) Services

The occupational therapist must:

Disclose the province where they are registered/licensed, to their clients.
Notify the client of the location from which they are providing the service.
Only practice within the limits of their registration/license and competencies in the province where they are registered.
Follow the regulatory Code of Ethics and applicable professional standards and/or guidelines in the jurisdiction where they are registered/licensed.
Document the occupational therapy assessment and/or treatment as per provincial standards and guidelines.
Ensure their liability insurance provides coverage for virtual activities.
Ensure they have adequate information about resources in the location where the client resides.
Have a contingency plan should virtual services be no longer appropriate.
Determine if remote practice is the appropriate format for delivering the occupational therapy service.
Ensure that the technology at both ends (client’s location and therapist’s location) is in good working order and utilizes safeguards for confidentiality.
Carry out informed consent for the use of remote practice, including risks and limitations of remote practice; and the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information.
Take necessary measures to maintain the client’s privacy and confidentiality of their personal health information.
Develop a process to deal with any adverse or unexpected events during a remote practice session. For example: fall, medical emergency, etc.
Establish and maintain professional boundaries during remote practice sessions.
Discuss any additional risks and benefits of receiving virtual services.