NOC 31203: Occupational therapists

Occupational therapists develop individual and group programs with people affected by illness, injury, developmental disorders, emotional or psychological problems and aging to maintain, restore or increase their ability to care for themselves and to engage in work, school or leisure. They also develop and implement health promotion programs with individuals, community groups and employers. They are employed in health care facilities, in schools, and by private and social services agencies, or they may be self-employed.

Express Entry eligibility

• Skilled work (TEER 0 to 3): yes, TEER 1.
• Canadian Experience Class: counts as skilled Canadian work (1 year in the last 3 years).
• Federal Skilled Worker Program: counts as skilled work (1 year of continuous work in the last 10 years).
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: not one of the eligible trades.
• High-wage occupation (from November 3, 2026): yes, 1.5× tier.

TEER 1: Occupations that usually need a university degree. Every program has other requirements too, such as language test results and, for FSW, a points test.

Category-based draws

• Healthcare and social services

  At least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in this occupation within the last 3 years, in Canada or abroad.

Category lists checked on canada.ca on 2026-10-17. IRCC category-based selection

CRS points for work in NOC 31203

With 12+ months of Canadian work here, from November 3, 2026, by years of skilled Canadian work:

See Canadian work points and the median-wage rule.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

• Analyse clients' capabilities and expectations related to life activities through observation, interviews and formal assessments
• Develop intervention programs to address clients' needs related to self-care, work and leisure activities
• Maintain clients' records
• Establish personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
• Consult and advise on health promotion programs to prevent disabilities and to maximize independent function in all activities of life
• May supervise support personnel and students and provide training.
• Occupational therapists may specialize in working with specific populations such as children or adults, or persons with distinct problems such as dementia, traumatic brain injury and chronic pain, or provide special interventions such as return-to-work programs.

For Express Entry your duties must match the lead statement and most of the main duties above.

Example job titles

• case manager occupational therapist
• clinical occupational therapist
• community occupational therapist
• occupational therapist (OT)
• occupational therapy rehabilitation consultant
• research and development occupational therapist

Employment requirements

• A university degree in occupational therapy including supervised fieldwork is required.
• Completion of a national or provincial certification examination is required.
• Licensure with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.
• Membership in the national association, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, is required in some provinces.
• Occupational therapists may obtain expertise in a particular area through additional training or experience.

Similar jobs with a different code

• 30010Director of occupational therapy
• 42203Orientation and mobility instructor