Teacher Certification

Teaching is a regulated profession in Canada. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Office of Teacher Certification and Records serves the public interest by ensuring registered teachers meet professional standards for certification, conduct and competence.

Every teacher employed in the primary/elementary/secondary schools of this province, is required by law to hold a valid Newfoundland and Labrador teaching certificate. There are four levels of teaching certificates which, in general terms, represent increasingly higher levels of approved degree programs and additional years of university study. Teaching certificates are endorsed according to the type of professional study completed: primary/elementary; secondary; or primary/elementary/secondary. There are no endorsements for subject areas. Certificate holders may teach any subject area within the grade level endorsement which they hold.

 

Minimum Requirements for Initial Certification

  1. An applicant requesting certification must hold an approved degree in primary, elementary, or secondary education from a recognized university.
  2. Generally, the minimum academic/professional requirements for a teacher certificate include a four-year academic degree (beyond Newfoundland and Labrador Grade 12) with a major in a teachable subject area, plus a one-year or two-year education degree.

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Must I be a Resident of Newfoundland and Labrador?

Canadian citizens holding teacher certification in another jurisdiction may apply to receive teacher certification in Newfoundland and Labrador. Residency is not required. Applicants who are not Canadian citizens must submit proof of a valid work permit for Canada and a valid Social Insurance Number.

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Can I Apply for Teacher Certification as an Internationally Educated Teacher?

Absolutely! Internationally Educated Teachers can apply for certification in Newfoundland and Labrador.

NEW!

Newfoundland and Labrador is excited to announce the launch of Pathways To Teach Canada

This new service is the single entry point and the first step for internationally educated teachers interested in obtaining a teaching certificate in participating provinces and territories, including Newfoundland and Labrador.

Pathways to Teach Canada offers a streamlined process, enabling internationally educated teachers to have their credentials and language competency evaluated and sent to one or more participating provinces or territories where they want to apply for certification.

Here is the new simplified process for internationally educated teachers:

  1. Visit the Pathways to Teach Canada website to prepare your application and determine your eligibility.
  2. Submit your request to have your credentials assessed.
  3. If you did not complete your teacher education program entirely in English or French, please complete the Language Competency Assessment for the Teaching Profession (LCATP).
  4. Once your credentials and/or language competency assessment reports are available, Pathways will send them to our office.
  5. On your end, once your report(s) are available to you on the Pathways portal, you will need to start your Newfoundland and Labrador Teacher certification application Teacher Certification – Education and Early Childhood Development
  6. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they address the application requirements for Newfoundland and Labrador.

The certification decision will be made by the Office of Teacher Certification, who will inform you (i.e., the applicant) directly of their decision.

Pathways to Teach Canada is an independent organization and as such, inquiries about their services should be referred to Pathways. 

Candidates already holding a course-by-course report from WES

Candidates who submitted a request for an ICAP report to WES before November 18, 2024, are not required to request a credential assessment from Pathways to Teach Canada at this time, however

Effective October 31, 2025, WES ICAP reports will no longer be accepted. Applicants will be required to obtain a Credential Assessment Report through Pathways to Teach Canada.

Until October 31, 2025 candidates must:

  • Request that WES forward their course-by-course report to the Teacher Certification Office
  • Request that government authorities for each country in which the candidate has taught, provide the NL Office of Teacher Certification with a statement of professional standing. The statement must confirm that the candidate is authorized to teach and has not been subject to disciplinary sanctions.
  • Provide the Office of Teacher Certification with a letter from the university confirming that the language of instruction of the teacher education program was English or French. If the program was not entirely in French or English, the candidate must take the Language Competency Assessment for the Teaching Profession (LCATP). To do this, the candidate must go to the Pathways to Teach Canada website. No other language evaluation will be accepted.

Pathways to Teach Canada is not a certification process. Instead, it offers  a descriptive assessment of internationally educated teacher’s credentials and provides a report on their language proficiency for the teaching profession. Certification decisions remain under the authority of Newfoundland and Labrador and other participating jurisdictions. For more information, please refer to the section below on How to Apply for Initial Teaching Certification.

Visit the Pathways website to start your application today.

Pathways to Teach Canada is funded in part by the Government of Canada. 

 

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How to Apply for Initial Teaching Certification

To evaluate your request for a teaching certificate, the following documents must be mailed to the Office of Teacher Certification unless otherwise advised by the Registrar.

Teachers trained in Newfoundland and Labrador

If you obtained your Bachelor of Education degree at Memorial University, please submit the following documents

  1. A completed application form (65 KB).
  2. Proof of authorization to work in Canada, either a photocopy of your Canadian birth certificate or for applicants born outside of Canada, provide evidence of Canadian citizenship, a permanent resident card, or a work permit.
  3. Official proof of name change for applicants that have changed their name, . E.g., a marriage certificate.
  4. The original copy of your completed Confidential Disclosure and Criminal Record Check form, with a Canadian Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Checks, dated within 6 months of application. You must provide the original document. Copies are not accepted. (188 KB)
  5. Official transcripts, sent directly from the academic institution(s) to this office either by email or mail. Transcripts should be sent from all institutions where you completed studies.
  6.  A completed payment schedule and payment of the appropriate fee. (195 KB)

Teachers with a Teacher’s Certification from another Canadian province or territory

If you hold a teaching certificate from another Canadian province or territory, please submit the following documents after you have applied:

  1. A completed application form (65 KB).
  2. Proof of authorization to work in Canada, either a photocopy of your Canadian birth certificate or for applicants born outside of Canada, provide evidence of Canadian citizenship, a permanent resident card, or a work permit.
  3. Official proof of name change for applicants that have changed their name, . E.g., a marriage certificate.
  4. The original copy of your completed Confidential Disclosure and Criminal Record Check form, with a Canadian Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check dated within 6 months of application. You must provide the original document. Copies are not accepted.(188 KB)
  5. Official Statement of Professional Standing from all provinces, territories, states or countries where you hold/held a teaching certificate, stating that you are in good standing and free to accept employment as a teacher. These statements  must be sent directly from the licensing body to this office either by email or by mail..
  6. Official transcripts, sent directly from the academic institution(s) to this office either by email or mail. Transcripts should be sent from all institutions where you completed studies.
  7.  A completed payment schedule and payment of the appropriate fee. (195 KB)

Teachers with a Teacher’s Certificate from another Country

If you hold a teaching certificate from a country other than Canada please submit the following documents after you have applied to Pathways to Teach Canada :

  1. A completed application form (65 KB).
  2. Proof of identity, either birth certificate or passport
  3. Proof of authorization to work in Canada, such as a work permit
  4. Official proof of name change for applicants that have changed their name, . E.g., a marriage certificate.
  5. The original copy of your completed Confidential Disclosure and Criminal Record Check form, with a Canadian Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check dated within 6 months of application. You must provide the original document. Copies are not accepted.(188 KB)
  6.  A completed payment schedule and payment of the appropriate fee. (195 KB)

If you are applying from outside Canada a Statement of Eligibility (SOE) may be issued after your application has been received and an assessment of your teaching credentials is conducted. An SOE is not a teaching certificate, but it is proof an individual meets the necessary qualifications for a Newfoundland and Labrador Teaching Certificate. A police record check sent directly from your local police authority is required before an SOE can be issued. To finalize your certification application, you must provide proof of authorization to work in Canada.

Classification for Salaries

Salary classification is determined on a salary grid according to the certificate level awarded, level 4, 5, 6, or 7 and the years of teaching experience recognized under provisions of the teachers’ collective agreements.

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Outside Teaching Service

Service completed outside of NL Schools or CSFP may allow for eligibility to move ahead in the salary scale as per s. 21 of the NLTA Collective Agreement.

Please have your employer complete the applicable Statement of Teaching Service form. The form must be returned directly to Teacher Certification from the employer by email or postal mail.

Statement of K-12 Teaching Service

Statement of Teaching Post Secondary

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Teacher Certification Upgrading

All studies beyond those completed for your initial certification must have PRIOR written approval from the Registrar of Teacher Certification. Direct your inquiries to the registrar of teacher certification well in advance of your plans to begin an additional program of study. Since the options and requirements may change over time it is essential that you consult with the registrar of teacher certification to have your plans for certification up-grading approved in advance of any course/program registration.

Please send email to Teacher Certification to request approval to use studies for upgrading purposes. Provide the following details:

  • Your Date of birth
  • Name Program of Studies
  • Weblink to Program of Studies
  • Expected Start Date of program

Upon completion of the approved studies you must submit an application to upgrade your teaching certificate. The following documents must be sent to the Office of Teacher Certification

  • A completed application form (56 KB)
  • A completed Payment Schedule and receipt of payment of the appropriate fee. (195 KB)
  • Official transcripts, sent directly from the institution to the office. Transcripts should be from all institutions where you completed studies since your last application.
  • If you have completed all requirements of a program but have not yet received your degree a letter from the institution will be required stating that you have met the requirements for the degree. Include the date of which you have met the requirements and the date of conferral of degree.

Applications and payment schedules for upgrading requests can be accepted via email to teachercertification@gov.nl.ca

Please Note: Upon obtaining such higher qualifications, teachers are responsible for making application and providing all required documentation to the Registrar of Teacher Certification within ninety (90) calendar days of having obtained the higher qualifications. If the teacher fails to do so within this time limit the retroactive application of certificate change shall be to the first day of the month in which the teacher made application and provided all required documentation.

Special Instructions for School Psychologists (SPs) and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) Applying for Certificate Upgrade

As part of recent changes to teacher certification, eligible School Psychologists (SPs) and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) may request a reassessment of their credentials currently on file  at the Office of Teacher Certification for a certificate upgrade.

Reassessment of Existing Documents

If you are an SP or SLP and wish to request a reassessment of documents already on file with Teacher Certification:

  • Complete the Upgrade Application Form.
  • You are NOT required to pay the $200 upgrade fee.
  • You are NOT required to resubmit your transcripts.

This reassessment is intended to reflect recent changes in certification criteria and may result in an upgrade based on existing documentation.

IMPORTANT DEADLINE: SP’s and SLP’s seeking a reassessment of credentials must submit their upgrade application by December 31, 2025 for the upgrade to be applied retroactively to the new certification regulations effective September 1, 2025. Failure to do so within this time limit, the retroactive application of certificate change shall be to the first day of the month in which the SP or SLP made application

Applying Based on New Coursework

If you have completed additional coursework since your initial certification and wish to apply for an upgrade:

  • Complete the Upgrade Application Form.
  • Request university to forward official transcripts for the new coursework to Teacher Certification.
  • Include the $200 upgrade fee using the Payment Form.

Please note: Only coursework completed at a recognized university with assigned credit hours will be considered eligible for upgrade.

Please Note: Upon obtaining such higher qualifications, teachers are responsible for making application and providing all required documentation to the Registrar of Teacher Certification within ninety (90) calendar days of having obtained the higher qualifications. If the teacher fails to do so within this time limit the retroactive application of certificate change shall be to the first day of the month in which the teacher made application and provided all required documentation.

Need Help?

If you have questions about your eligibility or the application process, please contact the Teacher Certification Office at teachercertification@gov.nl.ca or 709-729-3020

 

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Options for Teacher Certification Upgrading

*Under Review*

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Service Standards – Application Processing

Teacher Certification – Initial Certification (NL MUN Graduate or Other Canadian Province or Territory)*

Does not include applications with credentials completed outside of Canada

Upon receipt of a completed application for Initial Certification (Graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland or Certified in another Canadian Province or Territory), the department will reply to the applicant within 40 business days during December/January, April/May or August/September and within 25 business days during the remainder of the year.

Teacher Certification – Upgrade (NL Teacher)

Upon receipt of a completed application for a Certificate Upgrade (NL Teachers who have a program pre-approval on file), the department will reply to the applicant within 16 weeks (80 business days) during December/January, April/May or August/September and within six weeks (30 business days) at other times during the year.

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How to Request a Statement of Professional Standing, a Statement of Teaching Experience or a Copy of my Teaching Certificate

A Statement of Professional Standing confirms proof of your authorization to teach in this province and confirms whether your certificate is currently in good standing and whether it has ever been cancelled, suspended or revoked. It will also list your university programs if they were accepted for certification purposes in this province. If you are applying for certification in another jurisdiction, they will most likely require this if you are or were ever certified in this province. Please ensure that you provide a complete mailing address if the Statement must be sent directly from our office to their office.

A Statement of Teaching Experience confirms the number of days you taught, per school year, in the public K-12 system in this province. This Statement also includes any other service which you submitted to our office from other employers and which was credited for salary step purposes. In some jurisdictions they require this for your certification application while in other jurisdictions, it is the employer (usually a school district) that requires this form. Please ensure that you provide a complete mailing address if the Statement must be sent directly from our office to another office.

A Copy of Teaching Certificate can be obtained if you have misplaced your copy and require a duplicate. If you have been asked to provide a copy of your certificate to another organization, a photocopy is often sufficient and you may want to confirm their requirements before making your request to our office. Please ensure that you provide a complete mailing address if the Certificate must be sent directly from our office to another office.

Once completed, you can send your request back to our office by email to teachercertification@gov.nl.ca , by fax to 709-729-5026 or by mail to Teacher Certification Department of Education and Early Childhood Development P.O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6

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Employment

There is no central employment agency for teachers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Please refer to the contact information below:

 

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Questions

You can view the Teacher Certification FAQ here – *Under Review*.

If you have any further questions regarding teacher certification in Newfoundland and Labrador, please contact:

Registrar of Teacher Certification

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
P.O. Box 8700
3rd Floor, West Block
Confederation Building
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6
Telephone: 1-709-729-3020
Fax: 1-709-729-5026

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