By Agboola Aluko | GLiDE NEWS | April 7, 2025
C anada has introduced updated certification procedures for internationally trained teachers seeking employment across its provinces and territories, offering new pathways designed to attract global talent to the country’s growing education sector.
Effective from 2025, foreign-educated teachers must comply with certification standards unique to each province or territory, as teaching remains a regulated profession throughout Canada. The updated rules emphasize the importance of regional accreditation while also opening doors to qualified professionals through revised immigration channels.
To qualify for teaching certification, candidates must typically hold a post-secondary degree and complete a recognized teacher education program. Once eligibility is confirmed, applicants are expected to submit key documents, including proof of identity, police background checks, and language proficiency test results. Application fees vary by jurisdiction.
The growing demand for educators has prompted the Canadian government to include teaching occupations in its Express Entry immigration program. This policy change makes it easier for qualified teachers—particularly in high-need areas like early childhood education and secondary schools—to apply for permanent residency.
Certain provinces, such as British Columbia, may also require foreign-trained educators to complete familiarisation courses to help them adapt to local curricula and teaching practices.
In Alberta and a few other regions, interim certifications have been introduced. This allows teachers to start working while they accumulate the experience needed for full accreditation, enabling a smoother transition into Canada’s workforce.
Teaching opportunities in Canada range from full-time roles to long-term occasional (LTO) and supply teaching positions. Full-time educators are often unionized and work on a ten-month school calendar, while LTO and supply teachers fill temporary vacancies, such as parental leaves or short-term absences.
Teachers who are already certified in one Canadian province can transfer their credentials to another under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. This mobility allows educators to move between regions with relative ease, provided they meet the administrative requirements of the new province.
In a move that further supports the influx of global educators, teaching roles have been prioritized under the category-based draws of Canada’s Express Entry system. These include teacher assistants, secondary school instructors, and early years educators, creating a faster pathway to permanent residency.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to directly consult their intended province’s education authority for tailored certification guidance.
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