WFOT approval for entry-level occupational therapy education programmes

To complement the content of the WFOT Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists (2016), WFOT provides information and advice for the establishment of new education programmes for occupational therapists. You can access the information here or download the relevant document.

Application

Entry-level occupational therapy education programmes can apply for WFOT approval through their national association/WFOT Member Organisation or directly to WFOT.

  • If there is a national association in the country/territory which is also a Member Organisation of WFOT, the education programme should contact this organisation to apply for WFOT approval. You can see the list of WFOT Member Organisations here.
  • If there is a national association in the country which is not a Member Organisation of WFOT or if there is no national association established in the country, the education programme should contact WFOT directly to apply for WFOT approval.

Review

The WFOT approval process involves the review of documents submitted by an education programme.

  • If there is another programme already WFOT approved in the country/territory, the review is conducted by the Member Organisation.
  • If it is the first programme applying for WFOT approval in that country/territory, the review is conducted by WFOT. The WFOT General Assembly must vote to approve such programmes following a review of recommendations from reviewers.

Relevant resources:

If you are planning on or in the process of developing an occupational therapy entry-level programme, please visit this page for more information.

WFOT approved education programmes are reviewed at regular intervals to ensure they continue to meet the WFOT Minimum Standards.

WFOT approved entry-level occupational therapy education programmes that are due for review in the current year should contact their national association/WFOT Member Organisation or WFOT directly:

  • If there is a national association in the country/territory which is also a Member Organisation of WFOT, the education programme should contact this organisation. You can see the list of WFOT Member Organisations here.
  • If there is a national association in the country which is not a Member Organisation of WFOT or if there is no national association established in the country, the education programme should contact WFOT directly.

WFOT recommends that new education programmes apply for WFOT approval prior to the first student cohort graduating from the programme. In the event that an education programme has graduates prior to obtaining its first WFOT approval, the programme may request retroactive approval for previous years not covered by the current or previous approval periods. Access the Retroactive Approval of Occupational Therapy Education Programmes document for detailed information on the requirements and process.

Please note that this process is not applicable to programmes in all countries/territories. You are advised to contact the relevant Member Organisation to find out if the process is applicable to education programmes in your country/territory.

The Retroactive approval process is being phased out. Please note that:

    • Applications for retroactive approval of already WFOT Approved programmes will be accepted until 31st December 2024.
    • Applications for first-time approval submitted until 31st December 2024 can include a written request for retroactive approval. If WFOT approval is subsequently granted, the programme would be eligible to apply for retroactive approval within 12 months.

Please contact your Member Organisation for further information and guidance.