How Do I Get My Teaching Certificate in Ontario?

Ontario is Canada's largest K–12 school system, with more than 130,000 active teachers and the most job postings of any province. Getting your Ontario teaching certification — issued by the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) — is the gateway to all of that. Whether you're a new graduate, an internationally educated teacher, or a career changer, the process follows a clear sequence.

This guide walks through it step by step.

Step 1: Complete a Teacher Education Program

The foundation of Ontario teacher certification is a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree, or an equivalent teacher education program recognised by the OCT. Most programs in Ontario are two years in length, following an undergraduate degree in any discipline.

Major Ontario B.Ed. Programs

University	Program	Notes
University of Toronto (OISE)	Master of Teaching (MT)	Graduate-entry; 2 years; highly regarded
Queen's University	B.Ed.	Direct-entry and graduate-entry streams
Western University	B.Ed.	Range of teaching divisions
York University	B.Ed.	Strong urban education focus
Lakehead University	B.Ed.	Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses; high northern placement rate
Nipissing University	B.Ed.	North Bay; strong pipeline to northern Ontario boards
Université d'Ottawa	B.Ed. / B.Ed. bilingue	Bilingual programs; FSL stream available

Most B.Ed. programs admit on the basis of your undergraduate GPA, a personal statement, relevant experience working with youth, and reference letters. Competition is moderate — programs have expanded capacity somewhat over the past five years in response to the teacher shortage.

Primary vs. Junior vs. Intermediate/Senior

Ontario divides teaching into divisions:

• Primary (K–3)
• Junior (4–6)
• Intermediate (7–10)
• Senior (11–12)

Your B.Ed. will qualify you for specific divisions, and you will declare teachable subjects at the Intermediate and Senior levels. Common teachable subjects include English, Mathematics, History, Sciences, Physical Education, and the Arts. Shortage subjects — Mathematics, Sciences, French — give you a hiring advantage.

Step 2: Register with the Ontario College of Teachers

Once you have completed your teacher education program, you apply for membership with the Ontario College of Teachers. You cannot work as a certified teacher in Ontario without an OCT certificate of qualification.

What You Submit

• Completed online application
• Proof of completed teacher education program (transcript + official confirmation)
• Proof of undergraduate degree
• Application fee (~$140 as of 2026)
• Two photos (passport-style)

Processing Time

OCT typically processes new applications within 2–3 months of receiving all documents. Plan ahead — if you graduate in April, apply in March so your certificate is ready before the summer hiring season.

Your Certificate Type

New OCT members receive a Certificate of Qualification and Registration — this is your licence to teach in Ontario publicly funded schools. It is valid for five years and renewed through a straightforward process.

Step 3: Understand the Hiring Landscape

Ontario has over 70 school boards, split into four categories:

• English public (e.g., TDSB, OCDSB, Durham DSB)
• English Catholic (e.g., Toronto Catholic DSB, Waterloo Catholic DSB)
• French public (e.g., Conseil scolaire Viamonde)
• French Catholic (e.g., Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir)

French-language boards require French language instruction ability and will conduct interviews in French. English boards serve the majority of students and have the most openings.

The Occasional Teacher List

In most Ontario boards, the primary entry point into permanent employment is the occasional (supply) teacher list. This is a list of certified teachers the board calls when regular teachers are absent. Getting on the list is typically not competitive — boards in shortage need more occasional teachers than they have.

Once on the list, you build familiarity with the board's schools and administrators. Long-term occasional (LTO) assignments arise when regular teachers go on leave. Permanent positions are most commonly offered to teachers already in the board on supply or LTO.

Direct Hire

Some boards, particularly those in shortage regions (northern Ontario, smaller cities), hire directly to permanent positions — especially in high-demand subjects like Math, Sciences, FSL, and Special Education. If your teachable is in one of these areas, applying directly to permanent postings is worthwhile even as a first step.

Step 4: Prepare Your Application Materials

Resume and Cover Letter

Ontario teaching applications follow a fairly standardised format. Your cover letter should:

• Reference the specific school board and position type
• Name your OCT registration number (or indicate it's in process)
• Highlight teaching division, teachable subjects, and any additional qualifications
• Include relevant prior experience with youth (even informal)

Keep it to one page. Boards receive hundreds of applications; clarity and conciseness are valued.

Additional Qualifications (AQs)

Adding AQs to your OCT certificate strengthens your file significantly. The most valuable in the current market:

• Special Education Part 1 — dramatically expands your employability
• Guidance and Career Education Part 1 — useful for intermediate/senior teachers
• Additional teachable subject at Part 1 — adds flexibility
• French as a Second Language — the single highest-demand AQ in the province

AQ courses are offered by faculties of education and the Ontario Teachers' Federation; they cost approximately $750–$950 per course and can be completed evenings or summers while you work.

Step 5: For Internationally Educated Teachers

If you trained and were certified as a teacher outside Canada, the OCT internationally educated teacher (IET) pathway allows your credentials to be assessed. The process:

1. Submit your foreign credentials for an OCT assessment (may take 3–4 months)

2. If OCT identifies gaps, you may be directed to a bridging program — typically one additional semester of practice teaching at an Ontario faculty of education

3. If your credentials are deemed equivalent, you proceed directly to certificate issuance

Ontario currently has streamlined processing for teachers from: United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and several US states. If you trained in a French-speaking country, your FSL credentials are particularly valuable and boards will pursue your application actively.

Current Hiring Hotspots in Ontario

Based on live posting volume:

• Toronto District School Board — largest board in Canada; high FSL, special ed vacancies
• Ottawa-Carleton District School Board — capital region; bilingual demand
• Peel District School Board — rapidly growing suburb; consistent vacancies
• Algoma District School Board — northern Ontario; easier pathway to permanent
• Rainbow District School Board — Sudbury area; active recruiting

Start Your Search

Once certified, the best next step is to apply broadly and early. Ontario's hiring season peaks April–June for September starts.

• Search all Ontario K–12 jobs
• Explore teacher shortage areas across Canada
• Teacher salary guide — what you can expect to earn

Information sourced from the Ontario College of Teachers, Ontario Ministry of Education, and university faculty of education program guides. Updated April 2026.