Becoming a Teacher in Canada: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Choosing to become a teacher in Canada is more than picking a job—it’s choosing a career in education that can shape lives, strengthen communities, and open doors for future generations. Whether you’re drawn to early childhood, elementary classrooms, secondary schools, or adult education, teaching offers a meaningful path with long-term growth potential.

That said, becoming a certified teacher in Canada takes planning. Education is provincially and territorially regulated, so the exact process depends on where you want to teach. Still, the overall journey is similar across the country: you’ll complete the right education, gain hands-on classroom experience, meet certification requirements, and then navigate the job market to find the best fit.

If you’re already thinking ahead to the job search—because you’re Googling education jobs, jobs in education Canada, or education jobs near me—you can explore current openings anytime here: Search jobs in education

This guide outlines the full pathway, from your first educational steps to practical experience and career-building opportunities, so you can move forward with confidence.

Summary:

• To become a teacher in Canada, you typically complete an undergraduate degree, a teacher education program, and a background check, then apply for certification in the province or territory where you plan to teach.

• Requirements vary by province/territory, but it commonly takes 5–6 years to become a certified teacher (especially if you follow a traditional undergraduate + teacher education route, or a concurrent program).

• Teacher salaries in Canada vary by location, role, and experience, but many educators can expect to earn roughly $50,000 to $100,000 annually across the span of their careers.

As you prepare for this journey, it’s also smart to understand what employers are hiring for. A lot of candidates start by monitoring postings for roles like teacher, occasional/supply teacher, teaching assistant, and educational assistant to see what qualifications are commonly requested. You can do that by searching education jobs

Educational Requirements

To build a successful education career in Canada, you’ll need to complete specific educational prerequisites designed to prepare you for teaching in real classrooms. These steps help ensure teachers can plan lessons, support diverse learners, assess student progress, manage classrooms, and work effectively with families and school teams.

Because education is regulated by each province and territory, your exact requirements may differ slightly depending on where you want to work. However, the core pathway usually includes:

1. Completing a Bachelor’s degree

2. Completing a Teacher Education Program (often leading to a Bachelor of Education)

3. Applying for provincial/territorial certification

If you’re unsure where to start, it can help to browse job postings and see which requirements are frequently listed in your target area (for example: education jobs Ontario, education jobs Canada, or “jobs in education near me”).

Bachelor's Degree

In most cases, the first major step is earning a bachelor’s degree, typically three to four years in length. Ideally, your degree aligns with what you want to teach, especially if you plan to teach at the intermediate or senior level, because many teacher education programs value subject knowledge. That said, your undergraduate degree does not always need to be a perfect match. Many future educators study a wide range of fields and later specialize through teacher education.

There are two common routes after (or during) your undergraduate studies:

• Consecutive education: finish your bachelor’s degree first, then complete a teacher education program afterward

• Concurrent education: complete your undergraduate degree and teacher education requirements together within one program

Both paths can lead to certification, and both include opportunities for practical teaching experiences that build your confidence and classroom readiness.

Concurrent Education Programs

If you already know you want to become a teacher, a concurrent education program can be one of the most direct pathways. Offered by many Canadian universities, concurrent programs allow you to work toward two credentials at the same time, a degree in your subject area plus a Bachelor of Education (BEd).

Concurrent programs typically allow you to choose the teaching division(s) you want to focus on, such as:

• Primary

• Junior

• Intermediate

• Senior

Along the way, you’ll learn fundamentals that matter in every classroom: pedagogy, lesson planning, assessment strategies, inclusive teaching practices, classroom management, and how to support student success across different learning needs. Another major advantage is that concurrent programs usually include practicum placements and classroom teaching experiences built into the program, so you graduate with hands-on experience, not just theory.

Concurrent education programs commonly take 5–6 years in total, but they streamline your pathway because the teacher education component is integrated from the start.

As you progress through your program, it’s also a great idea to begin watching the job market early, especially for roles that build relevant experience like tutoring, classroom support, camp counselling, or school-based roles.

Teacher Education Program

If you choose the consecutive route, your teacher education program comes after you complete your first post-secondary degree. These programs focus on developing the practical and professional skills you need to teach effectively, such as:

• Instructional strategies and teaching methods

• Curriculum planning and lesson design

• Student assessment and evaluation

• Supporting diverse learners and inclusive education

• Classroom leadership and communication

• Professional responsibilities and ethics

Teacher education programs also include practicum placements, real classroom teaching experiences supervised by experienced educators. This is where many teacher candidates truly discover what teaching feels like day-to-day, from managing routines to building relationships with students and adapting lessons in real time.

Each province and territory has its own recognized teacher education options. If you’re exploring programs, a helpful step is to review approved teacher education providers in the province where you plan to become certified.

Education Programs in Canada 

Provincial Certification

Teacher certification is the step that turns your education and training into the ability to legally teach in a province or territory. Certification requirements can vary and may change over time, so it’s important to always verify the most current information for your location.

In general, becoming a certified teacher in Canada often includes:

• An undergraduate degree (typically 3–4 years)

• A completed teacher education program

• A criminal record check/background check (and other suitability requirements)

• Additional training requirements in some regions (for example, Ontario may require specific modules such as sexual abuse prevention training before finalizing certification)

• A completed certification application to the relevant regulatory body

Certification is more than paperwork—it’s the proof that you meet professional standards and are ready to teach within that province or territory.

For more detailed information on the specific requirements in each province, visit the links below.

Alberta Education

British Columbia Ministry of Education Teacher Regulation Branch 

Manitoba Education

New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 

Newfoundland and Labrador Teacher Certification Office 

Northwest Territories Department of Education, Culture, and Employment 

Nova Scotia Office of Teacher Certification 

Nunavut Department of Education 

Ontario College of Teachers

Prince Edward Island Department of Education and Lifelong Learning 

Quebec: Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement 

Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board 

Yukon Department of Education 

Don’t miss our blogs about Becoming a Teacher in other provinces and territories for location specific information.

Gaining Practical Experience

Beyond completing educational requirements, practical experience is one of the most valuable parts of becoming a teacher in Canada. Hands-on learning helps you develop classroom confidence, refine your teaching style, and understand real school environments, things you can’t fully learn through coursework alone.

Both concurrent and consecutive pathways include practical components, but you can also strengthen your experience through additional opportunities that show your commitment to education. Practical experience often becomes a major advantage when you begin applying for teaching jobs, occasional/supply positions, and long-term assignments.

Student Teaching Placements

Student teaching placements (often called practicums) are built into teacher education programs across Canada. These placements allow aspiring teachers to apply theory in real classrooms while learning from experienced educators. During placements, teacher candidates commonly gain experience with:

• Planning and delivering lessons

• Differentiating instruction for diverse learners

• Supporting student well-being and engagement

• Classroom management strategies

• Assessment and feedback practices

• Communication with staff, students, and families

Placements are also a major networking opportunity. Many teachers make valuable connections during practicums that later help when applying for education jobs, supply/occasional roles, and long-term assignments.

Volunteering Opportunities

Outside of official placements, volunteering is a powerful way to gain experience, build confidence, and strengthen your resume. Many future educators volunteer in settings like:

• Local schools or school events

• After-school programs and tutoring organizations

• Community centres and youth programs

• Recreation programs and education outreach

• Summer programs (including roles aligned with summer camp jobs or youth leadership programs)

Volunteering demonstrates dedication, community involvement, and genuine interest in supporting learners, qualities that employers often value when hiring for jobs in education or related roles. It can also help you confirm what age group, learning environment, or community setting feels right for you.

Additional Certifications

In today’s competitive job market, additional certifications can help you stand out, especially when applying for sought-after boards, specialized programs, or student support roles. Depending on your interests, additional certifications might focus on:

• Special education and inclusive learning supports

• Educational technology and digital learning

• English/French language learning support

• Classroom management strategies

• Mental health and student well-being supports

• Subject-specific qualifications or specialist training

These certifications show a commitment to professional growth and readiness to meet diverse student needs. They can also open doors to more specialized education roles and career pathways over time.

Educational Careers and Leadership

Teaching is one of the most impactful roles in education, but it’s not the only path. Many education professionals eventually explore broader careers that influence learning beyond a single classroom. Educational leadership opportunities can include roles such as:

• School administration and leadership (e.g., vice-principal, principal)

• Educational consulting and instructional coaching

• Student success and well-being leadership roles

• Curriculum development and program design

• Policy and systems-level education work

These careers help shape education at a larger scale by improving school systems, strengthening student supports, and driving innovation across communities.

Conclusion

Becoming a teacher in Canada is a rewarding journey that blends education, practical experience, and lifelong learning. It takes commitment, but it also offers the chance to build a meaningful career where your work truly matters.

As you move forward, whether you’re just starting university, applying to teacher education, completing placements, or preparing for certification, Jobs in Education is here to support your journey from planning to job searching to career growth.

Start here to find current roles: Search jobs in education

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