Teacher certification in Ontario is regulated by the Ontario College of Teachers.

Teachers who are certified by the College can use the Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) professional designation.

Teacher education programs

If you want to teach in Ontario's publicly funded elementary or secondary schools, you must first complete an initial teacher education program. You can apply for College certification if your initial teacher education program was completed in Ontario or in another jurisdiction.

Once you have completed an initial teacher education program, you can apply to the College for a Certificate of Qualification and Registration, which is your licence to teach in Ontario.

Teaching certificates

Certificate of Qualification and Registration

Your Certificate of Qualification and Registration (CQR) is your licence to teach in Ontario’s publicly funded schools. You must pay an annual membership fee to keep your certificate in good standing.

The certificate identifies your teaching qualifications in four sections:

  • Degree(s)
  • Program of Teacher Education
  • Basic Qualifications
  • Additional Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (BQ) identify the school system divisions for which you have successfully completed studies in teaching methodology: Primary (Grades K-3), Junior (Grades 4-6), Intermediate (Grades 7-10) and Senior (Grades 11-12) or Technological Education (Grades 9-10 and Grades 11-12).

You must be qualified in at least two consecutive divisions, such as Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate, or Intermediate/Senior plus:

  • Junior/Intermediate teachers must also be qualified in at least one teaching subject at the Intermediate level.
  • Intermediate/Senior division teachers must be qualified in two teaching subjects, one in Intermediate and one in Senior.

Additional Qualification (AQ) courses may be taken after you’ve completed your initial teacher education program.

Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration

The Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration (TCQR) is designed for teacher candidates who have completed at least 30 credits (or the equivalent) and 40 practicum days of their initial teacher education program.

You are only eligible to receive a TCQR after you have completed the application and submitted all required documents and fees, including a report from your faculty of education.

The TCQR is valid for 18 months, with the possibility of a one-time, six-month extension. If you hold a TCQR, you must also maintain your membership in good standing.

Up to 20 days of teaching with a TCQR can be counted towards meeting your teacher education program’s practicum requirements.

For more information, including how to request a TCQR or how to convert one to a general Certificate of Qualification and Registration, visit our FAQs.

Multi-Session Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration

You may qualify for a Multi-Session Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration (MTCQR) if you:

  • have completed the first session of a multi-session teacher education program, including at least 10 days of practice teaching
  • have 12 postsecondary credits (or the equivalent).

You are only eligible to receive a MTCQR after you have completed the application and submitted all required documents and fees, including a report from your faculty of education.

The MTCQR is valid for six years, with the possibility of a one-time, one-year extension.

For more information, including how to request an MTCQR or how to convert one to a general Certificate of Qualification and Registration, visit our FAQs.

Adding Additional Qualifications

Your faculty of education or AQ course provider automatically lets the College know when you’ve completed a course. You will receive an email from the College when the AQ is added to your certificate.

Your AQs appear on your public register profile and on your printable teaching certificate that is available in your member account. They will appear on your Certificate of Qualification and Registration the calendar year after they are completed.