New Program Helps Foreign-Trained Teachers Start Their Career  In Canada

Many teachers who trained outside Canada want to teach here. But Canada requires all teachers to be certified. Each province and territory has its own rules for certification. Foreign qualifications need to be checked to match Canadian standards. This process can be slow and confusing for many teachers.

A new solution: Pathways to Teach Canada

In November 2024, a new program called Pathways to Teach Canada started. It aims to help internationally educated teachers get certified faster in many provinces and territories. The program works with World Education Services (WES) to make the process simpler.

Pathways to Teach Canada covers these areas:

• British Columbia
  
• Manitoba
  
• New Brunswick
  
• Newfoundland and Labrador
  
• Northwest Territories
  
• Nova Scotia
  
• Nunavut
  
• Prince Edward Island
  
• Saskatchewan
  

In Ontario, the Ontario College of Teachers manages certification separately. But Pathways to Teach Canada still helps with language testing accepted by Ontario’s regulators. Teachers wanting to work in Alberta, Quebec, or Yukon must follow their local rules directly.

How the program helps teachers

Pathways to Teach Canada and WES join forces to offer teachers a one-stop portal. Through this portal, teachers can apply for both their credentials and language tests. This saves time and effort.

Who can apply?

The program only helps teachers who already finished a teacher education program. Those without this qualification cannot use it. Also, applicants should:

• Be qualified to teach subjects like math, English, or biology
  
• Not have been certified before in Canada
  

Steps to get started

Eligible teachers can ask for two main assessments:

1. Credential assessment — checks education against Canadian standards
   
2. Language Competency Assessment for the Teaching Profession (LCATP) — tests language skills
   

Teachers apply and pay fees depending on the services they want. The language test is booked online through the program. Credential evaluation is done with WES. Teachers create an account, send documents, and wait for their Credential Assessment Report. Some documents must come directly from schools or licensing bodies abroad.

What happens after assessments?

After finishing assessments, teachers upload results on Pathways to Teach Canada. Then, they apply for certification with the province or territory where they want to work. Teachers can apply to multiple regions but must pay separate fees. Note that Pathways to Teach Canada does not issue certifications itself.

More than just tests

Besides education and language, provinces may ask for proof of good moral character. This includes police checks or references. Some places require extra courses. For example, British Columbia asks foreign-trained teachers to take a special local course.

If teachers want to work in Catholic schools, they usually need a letter from a priest and must meet faith-related rules.

Canada needs more teachers

In 2025, Canada named education a top in-demand job sector. It added a new category in its immigration system to help teachers get permanent residence. This means teachers now have a better chance to live and work in Canada.

To qualify, candidates must have at least six months of recent full-time work in teaching. They cannot mix different teaching jobs to meet this time.

On May 1, 2025, Canada invited 1,000 teachers to apply for permanent residence through this new category. The points needed were lower than usual, making it easier for teachers to qualify.

Pathways to Teach Canada offers a simple way for foreign-trained teachers to get certified in many parts of Canada. It combines credential and language assessments in one place. This program supports teachers who want to bring their skills to Canadian classrooms. New immigration rules also favor teachers, helping them settle in Canada faster.