Protecting the public is central to ACOT’s mandate. To support this, all registered occupational therapists must personally maintain a minimum of $5 million in professional liability insurance (PLI) while holding a practice permit, regardless of employment status. This requirement is separate from any coverage provided by an employer.
PLI is required under the Health Professions Act (HPA) and is a condition of both initial registration and annual practice permit renewal. Registrants must declare that they meet the PLI requirement before a permit can be issued or renewed.
PLI helps protect clients by ensuring compensation may be available if harm or financial loss results from professional services. It also protects registrants by helping cover legal defence costs, court costs, settlements, and damages arising from professional liability claims.
Did You Know?
Practicing without the required PLI is a breach of professional and ethical obligations.
Since 2022, ACOT has conducted annual audits of registrants’ PLI coverage, with audit samples increasing each year. These audits have identified a growing number of registrants who allowed their coverage to lapse while registered with ACOT.
Failure to Maintain PLI
Self-regulation depends on registrants meeting the legislative, regulatory, and ethical requirements of the profession. Registrants cannot hold a practice permit unless they personally maintain the required $5 million in PLI.
If a lapse in coverage is identified, a Letter of Offense from ACOT’s CEO & Registrar will be placed on the registrant’s file. A lapse in coverage, or a false declaration regarding PLI, may also result in a formal complaint and investigation that may result in a determination of unprofessional conduct and/or suspension of their practice permit.
Maintaining continuous PLI coverage is both a legal and professional responsibility and an important component of public protection.
Check your policy and renew it annually to ensure your coverage remains uninterrupted.