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OT Interview PreparationThe Comprehensive OT Topics Guide for Occupational Therapy Programs
The ethics, professional knowledge and current issues OT interviewers expect, with arguments on each side.
4
Main Parts
17
Key Topics
4
Quick Checks
How to Use This Guide
OT interviews test whether you understand occupation and can reason through the situations OTs face: risk, families, equity and resources.
Key Insight
If you can explain OT clearly to a 10-year-old, you understand it well enough for the interview.
Part I
Ethical Foundations
The frameworks behind OT ethics.
AOTA Code of Ethics (2025)
The AOTA Code of Ethics, adopted in April 2025, has six principles:
Beneficence
Act for clients' wellbeing.
Nonmaleficence
Avoid harm.
Autonomy
Respect clients' decisions.
Justice
Fair, inclusive access.
Veracity
Be truthful.
Fidelity
Keep commitments.
Its core values are altruism, equity, freedom, justice, dignity, truth, prudence and advocacy.
Quick Check
Test your understanding
Which is one of the six principles in the AOTA Code of Ethics?
Ethics in Canada
Ontario's College of Occupational Therapists adopted a new Code of Ethics in 2026, built on three principles (learning, knowing and doing better; minimizing harm; respecting autonomy) and six values: accountability, collaboration, humility, integrity, respect and transparency. CAOT's national code was revised in 2018.
Canada's OT Competencies (2021)
A. OT Expertise
Enabling occupation
B. Communication & Collaboration
Clients and teams
C. Culture, Equity & Justice
Inclusive practice
D. Excellence in Practice
Evidence and learning
E. Professional Responsibility
Ethics and accountability
F. Engagement with the Profession
Contributing to OT
Part II
Understanding the Profession
What OTs do and how they think.
What Is Occupation?
In OT, "occupation" means the everyday activities people need and want to do: self-care, work, school, play, leisure. OTs help people participate in these despite illness, injury, disability or environmental barriers.
OT vs PT
Physiotherapy
Focuses on movement, function and physical rehabilitation.
Occupational Therapy
Focuses on participation in meaningful daily activities, adapting the task, the environment or the person's approach.
Example
After a hip replacement, the PT works on walking; the OT works on getting dressed and into the bath safely.
Models of Practice
The Canadian Model of Occupational Participation (CanMOP), published in 2022, places participation in its social, historical and environmental context. Many programs also teach the earlier CMOP-E.
The Admissions Landscape
- McMaster: asynchronous video interview weighted 75%
- Manitoba: blind interview weighted 50%
- Toronto, Western, Alberta and Dalhousie don't interview
- US: OTCAS, often with observation hours (around 40)
Quick Check
Test your understanding
How much does McMaster's interview count in its OT ranking?
Part III
Current Issues
The debates most likely to come up.
Accessibility
The Accessible Canada Act (2019) aims for a barrier-free Canada by 2040.
Employers should fund accommodations
Equity and inclusion
Keeps skilled workers employed
Keeps skilled workers employed
Concerns
Cost to small businesses
Who decides what's reasonable
Who decides what's reasonable
Quick Check
Test your understanding
By what year does the Accessible Canada Act aim for a barrier-free Canada?
Indigenous Health
TRC Calls to Action 23 and 24 call for more Indigenous health professionals and for health-profession schools to teach Indigenous health issues, including the history of residential schools.
AI in Documentation
The 2025 AOTA Code asks practitioners to acknowledge AI use in documentation.
Benefits
Saves time for client care
Consistent notes
Consistent notes
Risks
Errors
Privacy
Over-reliance
Privacy
Over-reliance
Therapy Funding
Medicare uses a KX modifier threshold ($2,480) above which therapists must confirm continued medical necessity.
Workforce and Licensing
- CIHI counts 21,963 OTs in Canada
- BLS projects 15% US growth; median pay $100,330
- Canada's NOTCE has a new blueprint from September 2026; the 2024 pass rate was 93.41%
Part IV
Professional Conduct
The scenarios behind most OT ethics stations.
Dignity of Risk
Capable people have the right to take reasonable risks. OTs assess risk, reduce it where possible (equipment, home modifications, supports) and respect informed choices.
Quick Check
Test your understanding
A capable client insists on going home alone despite some fall risk. The best approach is to:
Family Disagreement
If the client is capable, the decision is theirs. Listen to the family's concerns, share them (with consent) and look for a plan that addresses both.
Honest Billing
Billing must reflect services actually provided. If you notice a colleague misbilling, speak to them and escalate if needed.
Gifts and Boundaries
Small tokens may be fine; significant gifts can blur the therapeutic relationship. Check policy and consider intent and culture.
Caseload Pressure
When asked to see more clients in less time, raise concerns about quality and safety, propose solutions, and document.
Final Section
Preparing for Interview Success
Bring it together.
Keys to OT Interview Success
Occupation
Explain it clearly.
Client-Centred
Goals that matter to them.
Dignity of Risk
Respect choices, reduce risk.
Equity
Accessibility and culture.
Final Words
Show them the OT clients will trust.
You're ready.
You're ready.