Become a Teacher

To teach in Ontario's publicly funded schools, a teacher must be certified by the Ontario College of Teachers. Certified teachers are members of the College and pay an annual membership fee to maintain their membership and certification.

For certification teachers must:

have completed a minimum three-year postsecondary degree from an acceptable postsecondary institution
have successfully completed a one-year acceptable teacher education program
apply to the College for certification and pay the annual membership and registration fees. Application process includes providing proof of identity and a Canadian Criminal Record Check Report.

Teachers of Technological Studies do not require a postsecondary degree for certification. They must, however, provide the following in addition to the rest of the items listed above:

a secondary school diploma
evidence of five years of wage-earning experience
proof of competence in their field of specialization (for example, a trade certificate).

Teachers who completed their teacher education outside of Ontario in a language other than English or French or who are not Canadian citizens must also provide:

proof of proficiency in either English or French
Canadian employment authorization
proof of certification/authorization to teach in a jurisdiction outside of Ontario even if they have never taught there
a Statement of Professional Standing, which is a letter from a licensing institution such as an education ministry, that says the teacher's right to teach has never been suspended, revoked or cancelled.