Links to Teachers' Licensing
Author: Dora Rabinovich
Updated by: Elga Nikolova, June 2009
As an applicant, you must reside anywhere in Canada when you request to have your qualifications recognized by the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). You must have authorization for employment in Canada. To be authorized to work in Canada, you must be a landed immigrant, Canadian citizen or have a work permit.
These websites have been chosen because you may find them helpful as you look into what is required if you wish to work as a teacher in Ontario.
The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship worked together to develop a document which outlines the steps and requirements for becoming a teacher, as well as associated fees. The document's name is Access to the teaching profession in Ontario and it can be found on the Ministry of Citizenship Web site.
The Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) is a regulatory body responsible for teachers' certification. To practise as a teacher and to use the title of Teacher in publicly funded schools in Ontario you must possess a Certificate of Registration and a Certificate of Qualification from the OCT.
Review the following resources to prepare for applying for your certificate:
- The brochure "Think About Becoming a Teacher" outlines the steps to getting a teaching certificate in Ontario
- The 2009 Registration Guide for Teaches Educated Outside Ontario explains how to register with the Ontario College of Teachers
- Contact the OCT
You can contact the College before or after you come to Ontario. If you have not been able to download the Registration Guide, you can request a print copy. The guide describes all the requirements and applicable fees. - Language Proficiency Requirement
Obtain proof of proficiency in English or French by completing a language proficiency test. Language skills are a key component of being a good teacher and the Ontario College of Teachers requires proof of your abilities. The Guide explains where to go about either English or French testing.
The e-career map to Teacher Certification, published by settlement.org outlines the steps of the licensing process, and the requirements to become a teacher in Ontario. Another good resource is the Teacher's Career Map, published on the Ontario Immigration Portal.
Teachers from abroad is a section of the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF) website. It describes general requirements common to all provinces in Canada.
The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) is a source for information on recognition of academic and professional qualifications in Canada. It informs foreign-trained secondary school teachers and foreign-trained elementary school teachers about the requirements to practise in Canada and links to relevant provincial authorities.
Click here if you want to clarify terminology used by this website either in English or French. This is a PDF document. to look up a term, use the PDF document's Find button from the toolbar.
If you want to attend an information session about the licensing process, check out these websites on a regular basis or contact the organizations directly. Scroll down the website or use the CTRL-F shortcut on your keyboard to search by teacher in order to find teacher-related information.
- Newcomer Information Centres (NIC)
Scroll down to the Information Sessions list. - Settlement.org - Upcoming events
- Skills for Change - Calendar
Networking
Reading teachers' journals, as well as networking with your colleagues, will broaden your awareness and understanding of educational standards in Ontario. Here are a few links:
- Education Network of Ontario
Provides online conferences and forums for educators and students in Ontario. - Independent Schools Network (ISnet)
An electronic international educational community of independent schools. It also has a Canadian section - Media Awareness Network for Teachers
Media education resources and ideas to share with others. Canadian focus.