Written by AI from public information on 2026-10-26. Fees and rules change and vary by province — confirm with the official body before relying on anything here.
Typical cost
about CA$10,000 to CA$30,000
an estimate in Canadian dollars
Time to earn it
about 2 years
Issued by Provincial and territorial teacher certification bodies (for example the Ontario College of Teachers)
Required to start: Teaching in a publicly funded school needs the certificate of the province or territory.
About
A provincial teaching certificate shows that you have the education and training to teach students safely and well. It is issued by a provincial or territorial teacher certification body. In Ontario, for example, this is the Ontario College of Teachers.
In most cases you need this certificate to work as a teacher in a publicly funded school. That includes kindergarten, elementary, middle school and high school roles. It also covers subject areas such as music, art, languages, health, physical education, STEM and special education. Schools and school boards will ask to see proof that your certificate is valid before they hire you.
How to get it
Earn a university degree
Complete an undergraduate degree at a recognized university. Many programs prefer or require a strong background in the subjects you want to teach.
Complete a teacher education program
Finish an approved teacher education program, usually offered as a degree after your first degree or alongside it. It includes classroom study and supervised teaching placements in real schools.
Apply to your provincial or territorial body
Send your application, transcripts and proof of identity to the certification body where you plan to teach. You will also need to show that you meet its character and background requirements, which often include a police record check.
Meet any extra requirements
Some provinces and territories ask for additional proof, such as language ability or a reference. Check the current list for the place where you want to work.
Receive your certificate and start teaching
Once your application is approved, you are certified and can apply for teaching jobs in publicly funded schools. Keep your certificate in good standing as long as you teach.
The exam
Most provinces and territories do not require you to pass a separate written exam to become certified. Your teacher education program, including your supervised classroom placements, is the main way you show you are ready. Requirements can change, so confirm the details with the certification body in the place where you want to teach.
Licensed by each province
Each province and territory issues this itself, under its own rules. For example — Ontario: Ontario College of Teachers. Each province and territory sets its own rules for who can teach and how a certificate is issued. The steps, paperwork and fees can differ from one place to another. If you earned your certificate in one province and want to teach in another, you will usually need to apply to the new body. Many places have ways to recognize teachers certified elsewhere in Canada, but you should always confirm the process before you move.
Keeping it
To keep your certificate active, you usually need to stay in good standing with your certification body. This often means paying an annual membership fee and following its professional standards. Some places also ask teachers to keep learning throughout their careers. Check with your regulator for the exact rules.