What the College Does

The Ontario College of Teachers was established in 1997 to allow teachers to regulate and govern their own profession in the public interest. Teachers who want to work in publicly funded schools in Ontario must be certified to teach in the province and be members of the College.

The College:

ensures Ontario students are taught by skilled teachers who adhere to clear standards of practice and conduct
establishes standards of practice and conduct
issues teaching certificates and may suspend or revoke them
accredits teacher education programs and courses and
provides for ongoing professional learning opportunities for members.

The College is accountable to the public for how it carries out its responsibilities. You can find the qualifications, credentials and current status of every College member on our public register of members at Find a Teacher.

The College also:

investigates complaints of misconduct or incompetence made against members. Disciplinary hearings are open to the public and a summary of each hearing and the outcome is published in Professionally Speaking, the College magazine and Find a Teacher.
investigates complaints that members are unfit to practise due to medical or other reasons. This process is not public due to the nature of the complaints.

The College is governed by a 37-member Council — 23 members of the College elected by their peers and 14 members of the public appointed by the provincial government.