Guidance on returning to practice
Welcome to our hub of resources for occupational therapists who want to return to professional practice and those who support them.
These resources are for:
- people with a diploma or degree in occupational therapy who want to return to professional practice
- potential/current supervisors of returners to practice
- potential/current placement providers of returners to practice.
As of 1 February 2025, the 12-month updating period for return to practice applications was reinstated by the HCPC.
This means you won't be able to include updating activities that took place more than 12 months before you apply.
A grace period is in place to cover applicants who started their supervised practice or formal study before 1 February 2025. They have 24 months to use these activities in their application. This does not apply to private study activities, which must take place less than 12 months before the application.
Applicants who started their supervised practice, formal study or private study on, or after, 1 February 2025 will have a 12-month updating period.
Please refer to the HCPC website for further information: Our requirements if you are returning to practice | The HCPC
All the RCOT resources on returning to practice will be updated to reflect this change, as they currently advise the updating period was temporarily extended to 24 months due to COVID-19.
Returners to practice - your profession needs you!
We've designed these resources to help you to return to the workforce with greater confidence after a career break and help you meet the requirements of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to return to their register. Please refer to the information booklet on returning to practice – HCPC ‘Returning to practice’ booklet.
Remember that members have access to a wealth of member-only resources, support and other benefits.
If you’re not already a member, please consider joining us.
Resources for returners to practice
These resources will give you information and guidance to support your return to OT practice.
RCOT blogs
Read our blogs to get support on your journey back into practice and hear from one occupational therapist who has experienced this.
HCPC blogs
Return to practice handbook for returners
Our handbook provides information and resources to help you return to practice as an occupational therapist.
Return to practice webinar: Returners to practice
Watch a recording of the webinar we held to guide those wishing to return to practice as an occupational therapist and re-register with HCPC.
Resources for potential/current supervisors of returners to practice
We’ve designed these resources to help you guide anyone returning to practice as an occupational therapist.
Return to practice handbook for supervisors
Our handbook details the key information you need to support returners to practice.
Resources for potential/current placement providers of returners to practice
Thank you for supporting our future workforce. We've designed these resources to help guide anyone returning to practice as an occupational therapist.
Return to practice handbook for placement providers
Our handbook details the key information you need to support returners to practice.
Resources for potential/current supervisors and placement providers of returners to practice
Return to practice webinar for potential supervisors/employers
Watch a recording of the webinar we held for occupational therapists and their employers to show how important it is to support anyone returning to practice.
Advice and support
If you have any questions regarding returning to practice, please do not hesitate to contact the RCOT Professional Advisory Service at professional.advisoryservice@rcot.co.uk or 020 3141 4630.