Registration Guide

Requirements for Becoming a Teacher of

General Education in Ontario including multi-session programs
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Registration Guide for
Becoming a Teacher of
General Education

To teach in Ontario’s publicly funded elementary and

secondary schools, you must be a member in good
standing of the Ontario College of Teachers. The
College is the self-regulatory body for Ontario’s
teaching profession. It is our responsibility to ensure
that everyone who is licensed to teach in this province
is qualified to do so.

Under the provisions of the Ontario College of Teachers

Act and its regulations, applicants with certification in
another Canadian province or territory will be assessed
as labour mobility applicants.
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Summary of Documents

You must submit

10 Copy of proof of identity

11 Original Canadian criminal record check report

If applicable, you must also submit

10 Copy of proof of change of name

10 Withholding a name from the public register

11 Explanation for positive criminal record check

11 Copy of teaching certificate

You must ask institutions to send

12 Transcript of teacher education program

If applicable, you must also ask institutions to send

12 Verification letter for your teacher education program

13 Verification letter for your postsecondary degree

13 Proof of language proficiency

15 Statement of professional standing

For your reference

1 Requirements

9 Translation of any document not in English or French

16 Applying to the College

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 ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Requirements
This section outlines requirements for certification as a teacher of general
education. Information on the proof needed to satisfy these requirements follows on
pages 9 to 15.

Certification Requirements • 50 per cent in any other areas of education

To teach general education you need to satisfy to support methodology coursework,
the College’s academic, professional, language such as classroom management, how to
proficiency, math proficiency test and profes- use research data and new technology,
sional suitability requirements outlined below. supporting students with special learning
needs and those from diverse communities.
Academic requirement —
Postsecondary degree Your teacher education program must be
Your degree (for example, a BA or BSc) must academic, not employment-based and
include the equivalent of at least three years of completed at the postsecondary level. It
full-time study or 90 credits or the equivalent (in must also lead to certification or authoriz-
addition to the four semester teacher education ation to teach in the jurisdiction where you
program) beyond the Ontario secondary school completed the program. The College will also
diploma (Grade 12) or its equivalent. Your degree consider programs that include academic and
must come from an accredited postsecondary teacher education courses, provided it is a
institution acceptable to the College. combination of:

If you are certified in another Canadian juris- • three years of academic coursework
diction, you will meet this requirement. • four semesters of teacher education
coursework.
Professional Requirement — Teacher
education program Please be advised that the College determines
An acceptable program of teacher education the duration of teacher education coursework
must be at least four semesters of postsec- based on one academic year of study (the
ondary study. Please note that in the Canadian equivalent of two semesters)in a program.
postsecondary system, an academic year is
usually comprised of two semesters. If your program did not have the minimum
80 days (400 hours) of practice teaching, the
The four-semester teacher education program College will accept evidence of at least one year
generally consists of the following: of teaching experience as a certified teacher.

• 10 per cent focused on education founda- If you completed a teacher education program
tions (i.e. the history, philosophy and psych- outside Canada, and you did not complete
ology of education) at least 80 days of practice teaching as part
• 20 per cent focused on teaching methods of your teacher education program, but you
suitable for two teaching qualifications have completed at least one year of teaching
in Ontario (i.e. how to teach students in experience, arrange for an education authority,
particular grades or subjects) or a principal, to send a letter directly to the
• 20 per cent in practice teaching — College. This teaching experience must have
a minimum of 80 days of practice teaching occurred as a certified teacher and after the
supervised by the program provider completion of your teacher education program.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO 1

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

This official letter needs to verify that you taught for Note: the minimum practicum requirement
at least one year in a public elementary or second- applies to teacher education programs that
ary school. It must also list the dates of your employ- began on or after September 1, 2015.
ment and the grade levels and subjects you taught.
If you were enrolled in a College-accredited,
The program should prepare you to teach grades multi-session program prior to September 1, 2015,
in two consecutive divisions: please see page 7.

• Primary/Junior divisions When you have completed the rest of the

(kindergarten to Grade 6) program, and the College receives confirmation
• Junior/Intermediate divisions to this effect from your faculty of education, you
(Grades 4 to 10) are eligible for a Certificate of Qualification and
• Intermediate/Senior divisions Registration, which is your permanent licence to
(Grades 7 to 12). teach in Ontario.

Any coursework that prepares you to teach in If you do not complete your program within six
the Intermediate or Senior division must include years, your Transitional Certificate will expire
methodologies for one or more teaching subjects unless you received a one year extension. If
(listed on the inside back cover) at those levels. your certificate expires, you must complete
a teacher education program before you can
The College accepts distance education reapply to the College.
programs provided that they included a face-
to-face practicum. If you hold a teaching certificate from another
Canadian province or territory, you will be
If you are certified in another Canadian juris- assessed as a labour mobility applicant under
diction, your teacher education program will the provisions of the Ontario College of Teachers
meet the College requirements. Act and its regulations.

If you are in a multi-session program in

Ontario or another Canadian jurisdiction
At the end of the first session of your multi-
session teacher education program, you may
apply to the College for a Transitional Certificate
of Qualification and Registration, which allows
you to teach for up to six years with a possible
one-year extension. You must also maintain your
good standing with the College during this time
by paying your annual membership fee.

The first session of your program must have a

practicum of a minimum of 10 days and 12 post-
secondary credits or their equivalent. Of these,
nine credits must be in education methods and
three in education foundations, or six credits in
methodology and six in foundations. This leads
to a Transitional Certificate of Qualification and
Registration.

2 REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO

 ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Language Proficiency English

You must be able to communicate effectively in Anguilla Montserrat
English or French. Antigua and Barbuda New Zealand
Australia Nigeria
You meet the College’s requirements if:
Bahamas Republic of Ireland
• you completed your teacher education Barbados Saint Kitts-Nevis
program in a country on the list below and Belize St. Lucia
the program is acceptable to the College
Benin St. Vincent
• you completed your teacher education
program in a country not on the list provided Bermuda Seychelles
but you are certified in another Canadian Botswana Sierra Leone
jurisdiction and at the time of certification
British Virgin Islands Trinidad and Tobago
you were assessed for language proficiency
and met that jurisdiction’s requirements. Cameroon Turks & Caicos Islands
Canada Uganda
You will need to provide proof of language Cayman Islands United Kingdom
proficiency if:
Dominica United States of America
• you completed your teacher education Ghana US Virgin Islands
program in a country not on the list provided Grenada Zambia
• you completed your teacher education Guyana Zimbabwe
program in a country not on the list provided
and you are certified in another Canadian Jamaica
jurisdiction, which did not require proof of
language proficiency at the time of your French
certification. Benin Haiti
Canada Ivory Coast

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, to meet Cameroon Luxembourg

the language proficiency requirement, Congo – Dem Republic Mali
you must provide evidence of hearing loss Congo – Republic Monaco
of 70dB or greater. To obtain qualifications France Senegal
for teaching students who are deaf
French Guyana Seychelles
or hard of hearing, you will be required
to demonstrate proficiency in American Guadeloupe Togo
Sign Language (ASL) or Langue des Guinea
signes québécoise (LSQ).

Questions?
Contact the College: Client Services at
[email protected], 416.961.8800 or toll-free in Ontario
at 1.888.534.2222.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO 3

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Math Proficiency Test The Education Quality and Accountability Office

If you complete your application (including (EQAO) will only send us successful test results
receipt of all required documents and fees (70% or greater in both sections of the test).
by the College) on or after March 31, 2020, Applicants who were previously certified in
you must pass the Math Proficiency Test (see Ontario are not required to write the test.
oct-oeeo.ca/math_test). This also applies if
you started your application before that date. The following chart provides more information
about the math proficiency test requirement
that applies specifically to you.

Applicant: Ontario Applicant: Internationally Applicant: Canadian

Educated Teachers Educated Teachers Certified Teachers

You are - enrolled in, or have - individuals who completed - Ontario Labour Mobility
completed, a program of a program of professional applicants who hold a
professional education in education outside of Canada, teaching certificate from
Ontario. which led to certification or a Canadian province or
authorization to teach in that territory outside Ontario.
jurisdiction.

Who must - Applicants across all - Applicants across all - Ontario Labour Mobility
pass the subjects and grades must subjects and grades must pass Applicants are not required
test? pass the test. the test. to write the test.
- There are no - There are no equivalencies.
equivalencies.
- Applicants who
Who is completed an acceptable - There is no exemption. N/A
exempt from Native Language teacher
the test? education program.

When must - Before initial - Within two years of being N/A

I pass the certification. granted initial certification by
test? the College. This requirement
will be listed as a condition on
your certificate.
- You can also choose to
write the test before initial
certification.

What - Your application will - You can re-write it as many N/A

happens if remain incomplete and you times as needed.
I don’t pass will not be certified. - You must pass the math
the math - You can re-write it as proficiency test within two
proficiency many times as needed. years of initial certification.
test? Otherwise your certificate will
expire and you will be ineligible
to teach until you pass the test
and meet all other applicable
certification requirements.

4 REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO

 ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

A complete application includes the receipt If you are or were authorized or certified to
of all required documentation and fees by the teach in a jurisdiction outside Ontario, you must
College. provide a teaching certificate and statement of
professional standing from each applicable
Professional Suitability jurisdiction.
You must demonstrate that you are of good
character to be able to teach in Ontario. To Educated Outside Ontario?
assess your professional suitability, the College Licensed to teach in another jurisdiction? Check
requires that you provide: oct.ca → Becoming a Teacher → Internationally-
Educated Teachers → Country Specific
• a current Canadian criminal record check Information.
report
• complete responses to the Applicant
Declaration questions in the online appli-
cation about your suitability for registration.

The Applicant Declaration is part of the online

application and provides the College with
information necessary to assess your profes-
sional suitability. It includes questions about
your certification/ authorization to teach in
other jurisdictions, previous professional disci-
plinary proceedings or actions and criminal
background.

Questions include, but are not limited to:

• Has your authorization and/or certification

to teach ever been suspended or cancelled
in another jurisdiction, including outside of
Canada, other than for failure to pay fees?
• Have you ever been subject to an investi-
gation or proceeding relating to working
with children or students in capacities
other than teaching?
• Have you ever been disciplined by an
employing school district or independent
authority or other educational organization?

The complete Applicant Declaration is

contained in the online application. You must
answer all questions and provide details and
explanations where appropriate before the
College can process your application.

If you completed a teacher education program

in a jurisdiction outside Ontario, you must also
provide a teaching certificate and statement
of professional standing from that jurisdiction,
even if you never taught there, to demonstrate
professional suitability.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO 5

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Certification Outcomes
The following chart provides examples of certification outcomes provided that you meet the
academic, language proficiency, math proficiency test and professional suitability requirements
for certification.

Certification with conditions

Teacher Education
Certification without conditions (valid for five years with the
Program Criteria
possibility of a one-year extension)

• be academic, not • be academic, not

employment-based employment-based
• be completed at the postsec- • be completed at the postsec-
Your teacher ondary level ondary level
education program • lead to certification or authoriz- • lead to certification or author-
must: ation to teach in the jurisdiction ization to teach in the jurisdiction
where you completed the where you completed the
program program

Duration Four semesters A minimum of two semesters

Practice teaching 80 days (400 hours) 20 days (100 hours)

Methodology Two teaching qualifications One teaching qualification

Please note that, once certified, the balance of coursework required to satisfy the duration and
composition of the four-semester teacher education program will be listed as conditions on
your certificate.

You are allowed to teach in Ontario’s publicly funded schools while holding a certificate with
conditions that result from incomplete registration requirements related to your teacher
education program.

6 REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO

 ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Enrolled in an Ontario teacher education

program before September 1, 2015?

As of September 1, 2015, Ontario’s teacher The following chart will provide more infor-
education program changed. The four-se- mation about the requirements and how they
mester program with an increased practicum apply specifically to you.
of 80 days now includes an enhanced focus in
areas such as special education, how to teach This information is only intended to provide you
using technology, and diversity. As a result of with the guidance in the application process.
these changes, new teacher education program This chart does not provide a certification
requirements for certification took effect as of decision or a credential evaluation.
September 1, 2015.

Your academic or
Requirements needed
educational qualifications

I began an Ontario teacher 1.Concurrent or multi-session programs

education program before You will not need to be assessed according to the enhanced
September 1, 2015 and program requirements if you were enrolled in a concurrent or
completed the program after multi-session program on August 31, 2015, you finished the
September 1, 2015. program after that date, and you meet all the pre-enhanced
program certification requirements before September 1, 2022.

2. Consecutive programs
You will not need to be assessed according to the enhanced
program requirements if you meet all the following criteria:
• You were admitted in the program on or before
August 31, 2014
• You did not complete the program but were still in
it as of August 31, 2015
• You completed at least half of the program
requirements as of August 31, 2015.

In order to make use of this provision you must meet the

pre-enhanced program certification requirements
before September 1, 2022.

3. All programs
If you are enrolled in a program that you were unable to
complete before September 1, 2015 due to exceptional circum-
stances*, you will not need to be assessed according to the
enhanced program certification requirements if you meet the
pre-enhanced program certification requirements prior to
September 1, 2022.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO 7

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Your academic or
Requirements needed
educational qualifications

I began a multi-session You will not need to be assessed according to the enhanced
program before May 31, 2011 program requirements. You will be required to complete the
and have completed the first program before September 1, 2020.
session and I am applying for
a transitional certificate of In order to make use of this provision you must be certified
qualification and registration. before September 1, 2020.

I began a multi-session You will not need to be assessed according to the enhanced
program after May 31, 2011 program requirements provided you complete the first session of
and before September 1, 2015, the program before September 1, 2022.
and have not yet completed
the first session. In order to make use of this provision you must be certified
before September 1, 2022.

*Exceptional circumstances

If you are or were enrolled in an Ontario teacher education program that you were unable to
complete before September 1, 2015 due to exceptional circumstances, you will not need to meet
the new enhanced program certification requirements if you meet pre-enhanced program certifi-
cation requirements prior to September 1, 2022.

Examples of exceptional circumstances may involve the following:

• medical condition
• incomplete program requirements
• military service

If this applies to you, please contact Client Services for a form. You will need to provide a detailed
explanation and supporting documentation for our review. We will advise you if more information
is required.

8 REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO

 ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Documents
When you apply to the College for certification, you will need to provide supporting
documents.

Some documents you must submit to the Translation Requirements for Any
College yourself, such as proof of identity and Document Not in English or French
an original criminal record check. You must arrange for a translator acceptable
to the College to translate any document not in
Keep copies of what you submit as the College English or French.
does not return documents.
For documents you submit yourself, such as a
Other documents, such as transcripts or veri- birth certificate, include the original translation
fication letters, must come directly from the with a copy of the document.
institution to the College. However, if you have
had your transcripts or documents previ- If the College receives an acceptable document
ously sent to World Education Services (WES) from the granting institution that is not in
directly from the granting institution, you may English or French, we will send you a copy.
request that they forward a copy of these to
the College. Please contact WES for more You must arrange for the translation. When you
information. send us the original translation, include the
copy of the foreign-language document.
Note: the College will not accept any transla-
tions provided by WES, nor any assessment All translations must be accompanied
of your credentials made by WES or any by an original statement from the
other organization. translator indicating:

Any document, whether a birth certificate • the translation is accurate and authentic
or transcript, that is not in English or • the translator belongs to one of the acceptable
French must be translated according to the categories (see “Acceptable translators”)
College requirements. • the identification number and/or seal,
name, address and telephone number
The College cannot waive requirements for of translator
any documents. The College may ask for more • printed name and original signature of
information about a document or for more the translator.
documents.
Acceptable Translators
If you completed your teacher education To obtain the name of an accredited translator,
outside Ontario, you will find helpful infor- contact the Association of Translators and
mation about obtaining documents at oct.ca → Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) at 1-800-234-5030
Becoming a Teacher → Internationally- or 613-241-2846 (email: [email protected];
Educated Teachers → Country Specific website: atio.on.ca).
Information.
Please confirm with ATIO that the translator is
certified to translate from the language of the
document into English or French. Translations

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO 9

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

completed by ATIO candidates for certification Documents You Must Submit

are not acceptable. Proof of identity
The College requires proof of your identity;
We also accept translations from: a copy of an official document must show your:

• the consulate, high commission or embassy • first, middle and last names at birth
to Canada of the country that issued the • date and place of birth.
documents; this information is available at
travel.gc.ca/assistance/ Submit a copy of one of the following
embassies-consulates documents. Or submit copies of more than one
• a translator who has received accreditation if needed to show all the information above:
through a federal, provincial or municipal
government in Canada • birth certificate
• COSTI translation services, if no • passport (must list all names to be accepted)
other certified translator is available; • Certificate of Indian Status or Indian
COSTI-IIAS Immigrant Services at Status Card
416-658-1600,[email protected] or costi.org • certificate of baptism if born in Québec
• a translator certified by a professional or in Newfoundland or Labrador before
association of translators in Canada, a list January 1994
of which is available on the website of the • Permanent Resident Card (front and back)
Canadian Translators, Terminologists and • Canadian immigration record and visa
Interpreters Council at cttic.org (front and back)
• a translator certified by The Ordre des • Record of Landing (front and back).
traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes
agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ), a list of which is These are not acceptable as proof of identity:
available at ottiaq.org. driver’s licence, Ontario health card, Canadian
citizenship card.
Keep copies of what you submit as the College
does not return documents. All documents not in English or French must be
translated according to College requirements.
Questions?
Contact the College: Client Services at Proof of name change, if applicable
[email protected], 416-961-8800 or toll-free in If you married and changed your name, send a
Ontario at 1-888-534-2222. copy of your marriage certificate.

If you changed your name legally, send a copy of

the change of name certificate or the court order
that changed your name.

Withholding a name from the public register

By law, the College must maintain a public register
(Find a Teacher at oct.ca) listing members’ names
(former and current), their qualifications, academic
credentials and their status with the College.

However, there are circumstances where a name

can be withheld from the register, such as:

• if a member has never taught under a

former name: upon request by the member,
the Registrar has the authority to delete a

10 REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO

 ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

former name from the register. If you have Having a criminal record does not mean you
never taught under your former name, are automatically ineligible for certification. If
please complete and return the Request to there is something on your criminal record, your
Remove Former Name from Public Register application will not proceed until the College
form and include all supporting docu- receives an explanation from you that details
mentation with your request. This form is all the dates, circumstances and outcomes of
available at oct.ca → Members → Members → the events. The College assesses each report
E-Services. individually.
• exceptional circumstances: in some cases,
the Registrar can remove a former name Check the date on your criminal record check.
a member has taught under. The circum- The College must receive it within six months of
stances could include risk to personal the issue date.
safety, or reasons of personal dignity,
such as gender identification or gender Teaching certificates from other
expression. jurisdictions, if applicable
If you completed a teacher education program
If this applies to you, please provide a signed outside Ontario and/or were licensed in another
letter detailing the name(s) you would like jurisdiction, you must submit a copy of your
withheld, the reasons why and your College teaching certificate, principal’s certificate,
application number. Additional supporting or other document that confirms you were
documentation may be required. authorized to teach. This applies even if you did
not teach there.
Canadian criminal record check
You must submit an original, signed, Canadian If you were authorized to teach in more than
criminal record check report. one jurisdiction, you must provide copies of the
authorizations issued by each jurisdiction.
The report must not be older than six months
from the date the College receives it. The The College knows many countries do not issue
report must include your current and past full these certificates. Many applicants can meet
names. These will have to match your proof of this requirement by sending a copy of their
identity documents. teacher education degree or diploma scroll to
the College. For more information, see oct.ca →
The report must indicate that a search was Becoming a Teacher → Internationally-
done on all of your names (including first, Educated Teachers → Country Specific
middle, last and any former names) using the Information, or contact Client Services at the
Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) College (416-961- 8800 or toll-free in Ontario
database. A vulnerable sector check is not 1-888-534-2222) for more information.
required for registration with the College (but
will be accepted).

You can obtain a criminal record check report

from a local, regional or national police service.

If you are applying from outside of Canada,

you can obtain a criminal record check by
contacting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP) at rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Having a positive declaration and/or infor-

mation obtained from a criminal record check
will delay the processing of your application.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO 11

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Documents an Institution Must You may find it useful to review the information the
Submit for You College has gathered about academic documents
Some documents must be submitted by insti- from the country where you completed your
tutions directly to the College on your behalf, education. For more information, see oct.ca →
such as transcripts. Please visit oct.ca → Becoming a Teacher → Internationally-Educated
Becoming a Teacher → Internationally- Teachers → Country Specific Information.
Educated Teachers → Country Specific
Information for more detailed information about If some of your credits came from a different
your document requirements. institution, you may have to get a transcript
from that institution as well.
The College cannot accept these documents
from you even if they are in a sealed envelope. In addition to your transcript, the College may
ask you for a copy of the degree, diploma or
If you are certified in another Canadian juris- certificate you received.
diction and you are unable to provide official
documents, the College will accept a certified The College cannot waive the requirement for
true copy from your provincial or territorial any document.
ministry of education or college of teachers.
Teacher education program transcript —
Any certified copy submitted must be a copy consecutive or concurrent program
of an original document sent directly from a Please review the general transcript require-
granting institution to the provincial or territorial ments above, in addition to the following
ministry of education or college of teachers. information.

If the documents are not in English or French, The transcript must:

ask the institution to include an English or
French covering letter that includes your full • have the institution’s seal
name as it appears on your College application • show the name of the degree or credential
and your College application number. When • show the date it was granted
we receive the document, we will send a copy • be signed by the registrar or equivalent
to you so that you can arrange for translation. official
See “Translation requirements.” • show the length of practicum in hours, days
or weeks
If you have difficulty obtaining a document, you • show the hours or credits of study you
may be able to submit an alternative. Check the completed for each course according to
College website at oct-oeeo.ca/alt_docs. each term or year of study
• show the specific subjects for which you
Transcripts completed courses in teaching methods.
If you completed your education in Ontario,
you may be able to order transcripts from the The information listed on an academic transcript
Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) can vary, depending on the jurisdiction. If your
by clicking on the OUAC Transcripts link in your transcript does not contain all of the above infor-
online College application. mation, please arrange for the institution to send
a verification letter containing the additional
Or check with the registrar’s office at the insti- information.
tution where you completed your education to
find out how to order your transcript. This letter must have the institution’s seal and the
signature of the registrar or equivalent official.
Transcripts issued to students and submitted
to the College in a sealed, unopened envelope If your teacher education program was outside
are not acceptable and will not be returned. Canada or the US, sending a copy of your course

12 REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO

 ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

descriptions — regardless of jurisdiction — can • be signed by the registrar or equivalent

be helpful. official
• show the length of practicum in hours, days
All documents not in English or French must or weeks
be translated. See guidelines for translation • show the hours or credits of study you
require ments and accredited translators. completed for each course according to
each term or year of study
Transcripts and verification letters must come • show the specific subjects for which you
directly from the institution to the College. The completed courses in teaching methods.
College cannot accept them from you, even in
an unopened, sealed envelope. Postsecondary studies transcript
Please review the general transcript
Teacher education program requirements on page 12 in addition to the
transcript — multi-session program information below.
Please review the general transcript information
on page 12 in addition to the information below. Your transcript must:

If you have completed the first session of a • have the institution’s seal
multi-session program in Ontario or another • show the name of the degree or credential
Canadian jurisdiction, you must arrange to have • show the date it was granted
your partial teacher education transcript sent • be signed by the registrar or equivalent official
to the College. Contact the institution where • show the hours or credits of study you
you completed your first session of a multi- completed for each course according to
session program and ask them to send a tran- each term or year of study.
script to the College.
If this information is not included on your tran-
The transcript must show you have completed script, ask the institution to also send the
10 days of supervised practiced teaching and 12 College a letter with the institution’s seal and the
post- secondary credits — or their equivalent – signature of the registrar or equivalent official
and must: verifying the additional information.

• have the institution’s seal Transcripts and verification letters must come
• show the date the credits were completed directly from the institution to the College. The
and the hours or credits for each course College cannot accept them from you, even in
• be signed by the registrar or equivalent an unopened, sealed envelope.
official.
Proof of language proficiency, if applicable
Note: the minimum practicum requirement If you meet the College language proficiency
applies to teacher education programs that requirement as described on page 3 (first two
began on or after September 1, 2015. bullet points) you do not need to provide addi-
tional documents.
When you have completed the rest of your
program, contact the institution where you If you must provide proof of proficiency in
completed the program and ask them to send a English or French, you may do so in one of these
transcript to the College. three ways:

The transcript must: 1. if you completed your teacher education

program entirely in English or entirely in
• have the institution’s seal French, ask the head of the institution you
• show the name of the degree or credential attended to send a letter to the College.
• show the date it was granted

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO 13

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

The letter needs to confirm the language of Acceptable language tests

instruction for the entire program when you The College accepts results only from
attended. these tests.

If the College’s evaluation of your teacher International English Language Testing System
education program finds it unacceptable, (IELTS) (academic test only)
you will have to use option 2 or 3 to prove On a single test, you must have an overall
your proficiency in English or French. score of at least 7 on the IELTS (academic test
only), with scores of at least 6.5 in reading and
2. if you completed both your elementary listening and 7 in writing and speaking.
and postsecondary education or both your
secondary and postsecondary education Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-
entirely in English, ask each institution based Test (TOEFL iBT)
to send a letter to the College confirming On a single test, you must have an overall score
English as the language of instruction for of 103 with scores of at least 23 in listening, 24
the entire program when you attended. in reading, 28 in writing and 28 in speaking.

OR Test pour étudiants et stagiaires au Canada

(TESTCan)
if you completed both your elementary You must have a minimum score of 5 in each
and postsecondary education or both your of writing, reading and listening, and 4.5 in
secondary and postsecondary education speaking. Contact TESTCan for information on
entirely in French, ask each institution combining scores from separate tests.
to send a letter to the College confirming
French as the language of instruction for the For more information on specific tests, costs
entire program when you attended. and locations in Ontario and internationally,
contact:
3. complete one of the acceptable language profi-
ciency tests and ask the testing agency to send IELTS Test Centre Canada
your results to the College. The College cannot Conestoga College of Applied Arts and
accept test results older than two years. Technology
IELTS Administrator 299 Doon Valley Drive
If you have special needs because of a Kitchener ON N2G 4M4
disability, please contact the testing agency
directly to confirm appropriate arrange- 519-748-3516; Fax: 519-748-3505
ments can be made to accommodate you. [email protected];
conestogac.on.ca/ielts
Proof of language proficiency must come
directly from the institution to the College. The IELTS International
College cannot accept proof from you, even in an Includes information on testing done overseas.
unopened, sealed envelope. The College cannot The University of Cambridge’s local examination
waive the requirement for any document. is not acceptable.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, to meet the IELTS Subject Officer
language proficiency requirement, you must Cambridge International Examinations
provide evidence of hearing loss of 70dB or 1 Hills Road, Cambridge CB1 2EU
greater. To obtain qualifications for teaching United Kingdom 1223 553558;
students who are deaf or hard of hearing, you Fax: 1223 553554
will be required to demonstrate proficiency in [email protected]; ielts.org
American Sign Language (ASL) or Langue des
signes québécoise (LSQ).

14 REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO

 ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

TOEFL iBT The College requires a Statement of

Includes information on testing done overseas. Professional Standing from the jurisdiction
PO Box 6151 where you completed your teacher education
Princeton, NJ 08541 USA program even if you never taught in that
609-771-7100 Fax: 610-290-8972 jurisdiction.
TTY: 609-771-7714
[email protected]; toefl.org The Statement of Professional Standing
must come directly from the institution to the
The Ontario College of Teachers institution code College. The College cannot accept it from you,
for TOEFL is 9041. even in an unopened, sealed envelope.

TESTCan (French) All documents not in English or French must be

Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute translated. See page 9 for translation require-
University of Ottawa ments and accredited translators.
600 King Edward Avenue
Room 114 Educated Outside Ontario?
Ottawa ON K1N 6N5 Licensed to teach in another jurisdiction? Check
613-562-5800, ext. 3461; Fax: 613-562-5126 oct.ca → Becoming a Teacher → Internationally-
[email protected]; testcan.uottawa.ca Educated Teachers → Country Specific
Information.
Questions?
Contact the College: Client Services at
[email protected], 416-961-8800 or toll-free in
Ontario at 1-888-534-2222.

Mathematics Proficiency Test

Once you have passed the mathematics profi-
ciency test (70% or greater in both sections of the
test), the Education Quality and Accountability
Office will report your results to the College.
Unsuccessful results will not be reported to us.

Statement of Professional Standing

The College requires a Statement of
Professional Standing from each jurisdiction
outside Ontario where you have been authorized
to teach or to be a principal. This statement
provides the College with a reference for your
past profes- sional practice and confirms your
professional education program led to a licence
to teach in the jurisdiction.

The statement must not be older than one

year from the date the College receives it. The
licensing authority (most likely an education
ministry) must send it directly to the College. The
statement must verify whether your certificate
has ever been suspended, cancelled or revoked.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO 15

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Applying to the College

You may begin and complete the application process even if you reside outside of Canada.

You can begin your application at any time, Please allow 10 to 15 business days to update
even if you are about to begin or are currently your page after we receive a document. At
enrolled in a teacher education program. times it can take longer. When submitting
documents to the College, it is important to
You will be required to provide several follow the requirements set out on pages 9 to
documents. Some must be submitted on 16 of this guide to avoid delays. For example,
your behalf. To prevent delays, you should if a transcript is not received directly from the
request documents, particularly from inter- institution it will not be accepted.
national institutions, at the beginning of your
application process. Once the College has received all your required
documents — including the documents
The College is unable to assess your appli- submitted on your behalf — we will make best
cation and render a decision until all required efforts to advise you within 120 days whether
documents have been received and deemed you are eligible for certification. Generally this
acceptable. Any missing or incomplete process takes less time.
documents will delay the processing of your
application and rendering of a certification You may incur additional costs associated
decision. Once you submit your appli- cation, it with the College application process, including
will remain open for two years. expenses related to translation, language profi-
ciency tests, math proficiency test, criminal
How to Apply record checks or obtaining transcripts or other
To begin an online application, go to documents. You are responsible for payment of
oct.ca → Becoming a Teacher → Applying → these fees.
Apply now.
Methods of Payment
You must submit a registration fee and your You can pay your fees by:
annual membership fee with your application.
If you completed a teacher education program • going through the online application system
outside Ontario and are not certified to teach with your debit or credit card.
elsewhere in Canada, you must also pay an • using a web banking/telephone banking
evaluation fee. system, by adding the Ontario College of
Teachers as a payee to your bill payment
Approximately 10 to 15 business days after your listing with your financial institution with
payment has been processed, we will provide the seven digit online application number
you with a complete list of documents you need provided in step seven of the online
to submit or have sent on your behalf to the application.
College by posting on your online Document • cheque or money order, payable to the
Status page. This process may take longer Ontario College of Teachers. Please
at times. include your registration number with your
payment and mail it to:

16 REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO

 ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Ontario College of Teachers

101 Bloor Street West,
Attn: Finance Unit
Toronto ON M5S 0A1.

We do not accept post-dated cheques.

• visiting our service counter on the 14th floor

at 101 Bloor Street West in Toronto to pay in
person by cheque, credit card, cash or debit.
The College is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00
p.m., Monday to Friday.

Fees are non-refundable and include

applicable HST.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO 17

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Teaching General Education

General education includes the Primary (kindergarten to Grade 3) and Junior (Grades 4–6) divisions
and academic subject areas in the Intermediate (Grades 7–10) and Senior (Grades 11–12) divisions.

Intermediate / Senior Teaching Subjects:

Business Studies —
Anglais Business Studies — Accounting
Entrepreneurship
Business Studies — Information
Business Studies — General Classical Studies — Greek
& Communication Technology

Classical Studies — Latin Computer Studies Dance

Dramatic Arts Economics English

First Nations, Métis and

Environmental Science Family Studies
Inuit  Studies

Français French as a Second Language Geography

Health and Physical

History International Languages
Education

Law Mathematics Media Arts

Music — Instrumental Music — Vocal Native Languages

Religious Education in
Philosophy Politics
Catholic Schools

Science — Biology Science — Chemistry Science — General

Science — Physics Social Sciences — General Visual Arts

This guide contains the current requirements for certification. Requirements may change
without notice.

18 REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A TEACHER OF GENERAL EDUCATION IN ONTARIO

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 For additional information:
Ontario College of Teachers
101 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M5S 0A1
Telephone: 416.961.8800
Fax: 416.961.8822
Toll-free in Ontario: 1.888.534.2222
Email: [email protected]
oct.ca

oct-oeeo.ca/fb oct-oeeo.ca/pi

oct-oeeo.ca/tw oct-oeeo.ca/yt

Cette publication est également disponible en français sous le titre

Exigences à remplir pour enseigner les études générales en Ontario,
oct-oeeo.ca/ig oct-oeeo.ca/li
y compris les programmes en plusieurs parties.