Becoming a teacher

Several career and academic paths lead to the teaching profession, and job prospects for teachers in Québec are excellent.

You can become a teacher in Québec if you are currently:

Choosing a career

Teaching is a rewarding career that will allow you to build meaningful relationships with students of all ages and spark their curiosity.

In Québec, to become a teacher in general education (preschool, elementary, secondary or adult education) or in vocational training (teaching a trade), you must hold a teaching licence issued under the Regulation respecting teaching licences This hyperlink will open in a new window..

For more information, see the documents on the different pathways to teaching for:

You must complete this form to obtain or renew a teaching licence, whether you are benefiting from a work-study program or have received teacher education outside Québec or Canada. 

Apply for or renew a teaching licence

Teacher education leading to a teaching licence

The standard method for obtaining a teaching diploma is to take the four-year certified Bachelor of Education program leading to a teaching diploma for preschool, elementary school, secondary school and vocational training. A career change in teaching is also possible as there are master’s degree programs in education that lead to a teaching diploma (see the section Changing direction in your studies or career).

Teacher education, whether it is theoretical or practical, allows you to develop your knowledge, skills and professional abilities. Additionally, field experiences are a good way to make a name for yourself in an educational institution.

You will obtain your teaching diploma once you complete your training. 

List of teacher education programs leading to a teaching licence This hyperlink will open in a new window. (in French only)

Changing direction in your studies or career

Whether you are currently in school or on the job market, you may want to consider a career in teaching.

Throughout your training, you have the possibility of working while you study. You can become a substitute teacher (teachers paid by the lesson or by the hour and casual supply teachers) even before taking steps to qualify as a teacher. You do not need a teaching licence to substitute teach in a subject related to your education. However, to obtain a teaching contract while you are pursuing your studies, you must obtain a provisional teaching licence.

You will be issued a teaching diploma after you have successfully completed your teacher education program, subject to certain conditions.

For more information, see the documents on the different pathways to teaching for:

If you have training in a school subject 

If you have completed a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification in a subject taught in Québec’s elementary and secondary schools, you can become a teacher in Québec by completing a qualifying master’s degree.

You must first contact the university of your choice to find the qualifying master’s degree that corresponds to your career aspirations and your university training. The university will also be able to tell you about any required gap training or credits that can be recognized.

List of teacher education programs leading to a teaching licence This hyperlink will open in a new window. (in French only)

  • Special education
  • English language arts
  • English as a second language
  • Arts education (drama, visual arts, dance, music)
  • Physical education and health
  • Ethics and religious culture
  • Français, langue d’enseignement
  • Français, langue seconde
  • Español, tercera lengua
  • Mathematics
  • Science and technology (chemistry, physics, biology)
  • Social sciences (history, geography, history and citizenship education, contemporary world)

If you have completed a training program and have experience related to preschool education services

Do you have a diploma in early childhood education or preschool education? Are you working in your field? You can pivot to a teaching career in preschool or elementary school if you have training and experience related to preschool education.

You must first contact the university of your choice This hyperlink will open in a new window.. The university can provide you with full details on the teacher education programs in preschool education and elementary school education that are available. It can also inform you about any required gap training or credits that can be recognized based on your studies and professional experience.

Throughout your training, you have the possibility of working while you study. You can become a substitute teacher (teachers paid by the lesson or by the hour and casual supply teachers) even before taking steps to qualify as a teacher. You do not need a teaching licence to substitute teach in a subject related to your education. However, to obtain a teaching contract while you are pursuing your studies, you must obtain a provisional teaching licence. 

You may obtain this provisional teaching licence if you meet the following conditions, among others:

  • You have earned nine credits in an accredited preschool and elementary school teacher education program.
  • You have accumulated 3000 hours of experience as a preschool services educator or teacher.
  • You have a promise of employment from an employer confirming their intention to hire you as a preschool teacher during the current school year.

To request a provisional teaching licence to provide preschool education services, you must complete the Application for the issue of a provisional teaching licence This hyperlink will open in a new window..

Students who hold a Diploma of College Studies (DCS) in Early Childhood Education or an equivalent qualification and who are working toward a bachelor’s degree in preschool and elementary school education can also obtain a provisional teaching licence to teach in elementary education, subject to certain conditions. The teaching licence application must be submitted before June 30, 2025, under section 63.6 of the Regulation respecting teaching licences.

If you have completed vocational training

If you work in your field, you can become a vocational training teacher.

  • Administration, Commerce and Computer Technology
  • Agriculture and Fisheries
  • Arts
  • Beauty Care
  • Buildings and Public Works
  • Chemistry and Biology
  • Communications and Documentation
  • Electrotechnology
  • Fashion, Leather and Textiles
  • Food Services and Tourism
  • Forestry and Pulp and Paper
  • Health Services
  • Land Use Planning and the Environment
  • Maintenance Mechanics
  • Mechanical Manufacturing
  • Metallurgical Technology
  • Mining and Site Operations
  • Motorized Equipment Maintenance
  • Social, Educational and Legal Services
  • Transportation
  • Woodworking and Furniture Making

To become a vocational training teacher, you must meet the following additional conditions:

  • You hold a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS), a Diploma of College Studies (DCS) in a technical program, a university certificate of at least 30 credits or a university degree related to a vocational training program.
  • You have 3000 hours of practical or teaching experience directly related to the trade or occupation to be taught.
  • You complete a bachelor’s degree in vocational training, which you can do while continuing to work.

Certain university programs will recognize your training and workplace experience. As a result, you may be granted some university credits.

You must first contact the university of your choice to find the bachelor’s degree that best meets your needs. The university will also be able to confirm the number of credits that can be awarded based on your training and workplace experience.

Throughout your training, you have the possibility of working while you study. You can become a substitute teacher (teachers paid by the lesson or by the hour and casual supply teachers) even before taking steps to qualify as a teacher. You do not need a teaching licence to substitute teach in a subject related to your education. However, to obtain a teaching contract while you are pursuing your studies, you must obtain a provisional teaching licence. 

Once you have completed your training, you will be issued a teaching diploma.

List of universities offering a bachelor’s degree in vocational training education This hyperlink will open in a new window. (in French only)

Teachers from another Canadian province or territory

If you have completed training in teaching or another field in another Canadian province or territory, you can teach in Québec.

For more information, see the document on the different pathways to teaching for holders of a teaching licence issued by another Canadian province or territory (PDF 106 Kb) (in French only).

If you have completed teacher education

It is easy to become a teacher in Québec if you have a teaching licence issued by another Canadian province or territory. Thanks to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, you can obtain a teaching licence in Québec.

You must first fill out an application for a teaching licence and submit all of the documents indicated on the form. If you have a teaching licence without conditions issued in another Canadian province or territory, you will be issued a teaching diploma.

If you have a teaching licence with conditions issued in another Canadian province or territory, you will be issued a probationary teaching permit with the equivalent training conditions. You will be issued a teaching diploma once you have demonstrated that you have met those conditions.

Apply for or renew a teaching licence

If you have training in a school subject

Whether you are currently in school or on the job market, you can opt for a teaching career. If you have completed a university program in a subject taught in Québec’s elementary and secondary schools, you can become a teacher in Québec by completing a qualifying master’s degree.

You must first contact the university of your choice to find the qualifying master’s degree that corresponds to your career aspirations and your university training. The university will also be able to tell you about any required gap training or credits that can be recognized.

Throughout your training, you have the possibility of working while you study. You can become a substitute teacher (teachers paid by the lesson or by the hour and casual supply teachers) even before taking steps to qualify as a teacher. You do not need a teaching licence to substitute teach in a subject related to your education. However, to obtain a teaching contract while you are in school, you must obtain a provisional teaching licence. 

Once you have completed your master’s degree, you will be issued a teaching diploma.

List of universities offering a teacher training program This hyperlink will open in a new window. (in French only)

  • Special education
  • English language arts
  • English as a second language
  • Arts education (drama, visual arts, dance, music)
  • Physical education and health
  • Ethics and religious culture
  • Français, langue d’enseignement
  • Français, langue seconde
  • Español, tercera lengua
  • Mathematics
  • Science and technology (chemistry, physics, biology)
  • Social sciences (history, geography, history and citizenship education, contemporary world)

If you have completed a training program and have experience related to preschool education services

You can pivot to a teaching career in preschool and elementary school education and if you have training and experience related to preschool education.  

To teach in preschool, you must meet the following conditions:

  • You have a diploma in the field of early childhood education or preschool education services.
  • You have accumulated 3000 hours of experience as a preschool services educator or teacher.
  • You complete an accredited preschool and elementary school teacher education program that enables you to work and study at the same time.

Certain university programs will recognize your training and workplace experience. As a result, you may be granted some university credits.

You must first contact the university of your choice This hyperlink will open in a new window.. It will then be able to confirm the number of credits that can be awarded based on your education and professional experience.

Throughout your training, you have the possibility of working while you study. You can become a substitute teacher (teachers paid by the lesson or by the hour and casual supply teachers) even before taking steps to qualify as a teacher. You do not need a teaching licence to substitute teach in a subject related to your education. However, to obtain a teaching contract while you are pursuing your studies, you must apply for a provisional teaching licence. Once you have completed your training, you will be issued a teaching diploma in preschool and elementary school education.

You could also pivot to preschool and elementary school education if you hold a diploma equivalent to a Diploma of College Studies in Early Childhood Education or one of the following equivalencies:

  • An Attestation of College Studies in Early Childhood Education of at least 1200 hours
  • An Attestation of College Studies for Indigenous early childhood educators
  • A Diploma of College Studies in Specialized Education Techniques or in Social Work Techniques
  • A university certificate with a specialty in early childhood education
  • A bachelor’s degree including at least 30 credits in early childhood education, preschool education, special education and social adaptation (remedial education), psychoeducation or psychology

If you have a diploma related to preschool education services that is mentioned in the above non-exhaustive list, you could be issued a teaching licence to provide preschool education, after an analysis of your file. For more information, please refer to Schedule VII of the Regulation respecting teaching licences This hyperlink will open in a new window..

Students who hold a Diploma of College Studies (DCS) in Early Childhood Education or an equivalent qualification and who are working toward a bachelor’s degree in preschool and elementary school education can also obtain a provisional teaching licence to teach in elementary education, subject to certain conditions. The teaching licence application must be submitted before June 30, 2025.

If you have completed vocational training

If you have a Diploma of Vocational Studies and work in your field, you can become a vocational training teacher.

  • Administration, Commerce and Computer Technology
  • Agriculture and Fisheries
  • Arts
  • Beauty Care
  • Buildings and Public Works
  • Chemistry and Biology
  • Communications and Documentation
  • Electrotechnology
  • Fashion, Leather and Textiles
  • Food Services and Tourism
  • Forestry and Pulp and Paper
  • Health Services
  • Land Use Planning and the Environment
  • Maintenance Mechanics
  • Mechanical Manufacturing
  • Metallurgical Technology
  • Mining and Site Operations
  • Motorized Equipment Maintenance
  • Social, Educational and Legal Services
  • Transportation
  • Woodworking and Furniture Making

You must complete a bachelor’s degree in vocational training, which you can do while working if you apply for a provisional teaching licence.

You must first contact the university of your choice This hyperlink will open in a new window. to find the bachelor’s degree that best meets your needs.

Certain university programs will recognize your training and workplace experience. As a result, you may be granted some university credits. The university will also be able to confirm the number of credits that can be awarded based on your training and workplace experience.

Once you complete your training, you will be issued a teaching diploma.

You can also become a vocational training teacher if you hold a diploma or degree equivalent to:

  • a technical Diploma of College Studies (DCS)
  • a university certificate of at least 30 credits
  • a university degree related to a vocational training program or sector of activity

List of universities offering a bachelor’s degree in vocational training education This hyperlink will open in a new window. (in French only)

Any questions?

Last update: June 26, 2023

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