Ontario's minimum scores
From the College's Language Fluency Requirement policy 8-81, last revised January 2026, which says the College applies the language proficiency standards of the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO). Other provinces license OTs separately; check your province's regulator.
| Test | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General Training | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| CELPIP General | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| TOEFL iBT, tests before 21 January 2026 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| TOEFL iBT, tests after 21 January 2026 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 |
| TOEFL Essentials | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| PTE Core | 78 | 79 | 71 | 76 |
| PTE Academic, OET | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
One sitting and validity
All four components must be tested and every component must meet its minimum. Scores must come from a single sitting, except official partial retakes where the testing agency issues a combined report and has verified it. Scores from different testing agencies cannot be combined.
The test must be completed no more than two years before you apply; once accepted, results stay valid for the life of the application. Results go directly from the testing agency to the College, or can be included with your SEAS report from ACOTRO.
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When you do not need a test
Graduates of a Canadian OT degree can send proof of completion. If you studied OT outside Canada, an accredited credential assessment agency (or your SEAS report) can confirm your OT programme was taught in English or French. In exceptional cases the Registration Committee can accept other evidence, such as signed letters about your workplace communication. Regulators change these rules, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current scores on the College page before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do occupational therapists need in Canada?+
In Ontario, IELTS Academic or General Training with 7.0 in reading and listening and 6.5 in writing and speaking, in one sitting.
Is there an overall IELTS band requirement?+
No overall band is listed; each of the four components must meet its own minimum.
Is IELTS General Training accepted for OT registration in Ontario?+
Yes. The policy lists IELTS Academic and General Module at the same scores.
Can I combine two IELTS tests?+
No. Scores must come from one sitting, except an official partial retake reported by the testing agency as a combined result.
Does the College accept PTE?+
It accepts PTE Core (reading 78, writing 79, listening 71, speaking 76). PTE Academic is not listed.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for occupational therapists in Australia
- IELTS for occupational therapists in the UK
- IELTS for occupational therapists in New Zealand
- Free IELTS Academic mock test
- All 1393 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 14 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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