Immigrating to Québec to teach

Education is at the heart of Québec society and is one of its basic values. Québec also has very low unemployment rates and excellent job prospects, especially in education.

Québec’s school system is divided into two sectors, English and French, depending on the language of instruction at each school. Québec and its institutions are secular, which means that their decisions and actions are independent of religious authorities. Thus, some public employees, including new teachers, are not permitted to wear any religious symbols while working.

Whether or not you are a teacher in your country, you can become one in Québec. Additional training may be required.

For more information about immigration, please go to the website of the Government of Canada and that of the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration .

There are several internationally recognized programs that will allow you to teach in Québec. You can consult the list of countries to find out whether your training is recognized. We recommend that you start by applying for a teaching licence, whether or not your program is on the list, since each case is different (programs, specific pathways, optional courses).

List of countries

• Algeria
• Belgium
• Cameroon
• Colombia
• Ivory Coast
• Egypt
• France
• Moldavia
• Morocco
• Romania
• Tunisia
• United States

If you have training in teaching a school subject or vocational training, and if you are authorized to teach in your country, follow the procedure below to become a teacher in Québec.

Procedure

1. First, fill out an application for a teaching licence, making sure to submit all the supporting documents indicated on the form.
2. If your application is accepted, you will receive a conditional approval notice. Conditional approval does not allow you to teach; it simply allows you to take the compulsory language examination.
3. You will have two years to take the language examination.
4. If you pass the language examination, you will be issued a probationary teaching permit. The probationary teaching permit is a five-year temporary teaching licence. You will therefore be able to teach for five years.
5. To obtain a teaching diploma (permanent teaching licence), you must:
   • earn 15 university credits:
     • 6 in didactics
     • 3 in Québec’s school system
     • 3 in the evaluation of learning
     • 3 in working with students with handicaps or learning difficulties
   • serve a probationary period of 600 to 900 hours

In vocational training, only the 3 credits in Québec’s school system and the probationary period are required.

Apply for or renew a teaching licence

Note: If your application for a teaching licence is refused, you will receive a letter indicating what you need to do to obtain a teaching licence.

If you have training in a school subject

You can become a teacher in Québec if you have a bachelor’s degree in a school subject such as mathematics, chemistry, English or music.

You must first contact the university of your choice (In French only) to choose the teacher training that best matches your career aspirations and university training. Some university programs recognize your training and professional experience. You may therefore be given credit for university courses. In most cases, you will have to do a qualifying master’s degree.

Throughout your training, you have the possibility of blending work and study. You could 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 a school 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.

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

List of universities offering a teacher training program (in French only)

If you have training related to preschool education services

If you are currently on the job market, after having earned the equivalent of a diploma in early childhood education or preschool education services (e.g. DCS in early childhood education), you can pivot to a career in preschool and elementary school education. You must:

• have accumulated 3000 hours of experience as a preschool education services educator or teacher
• complete a B. Ed. in preschool and elementary school education that enables you to work and study at the same time, at the university of your choice by applying for a provisional teaching licence

You must first contact the university of your choice. The university can inform you about the courses you are lacking or the credits you can be granted based on your studies and professional experience, if applicable.

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

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 are currently on the job market, after having earned the equivalent of a Diploma of Vocational Studies (in Automobile Mechanics, for example), you can make a career change and become a vocational training teacher, providing you meet the following two conditions:

• have 3000 hours of practical or teaching experience directly related to the trade or occupation to be taught.
• complete a bachelor’s degree in vocational training that enables you to work and study at the same time, at the university of your choice, by applying for a provisional teaching licence

You must first contact the university of your choice (in French only) to find the bachelor’s degree in vocational training that suits you best. The university can also inform you regarding the credits you can be granted based on your studies and professional experience.

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

Universities

Regardless of your career and academic history, you must contact the university of your choice to find the teacher training that corresponds to your career aspirations and your university training. Some university programs will recognize your vocational training and workplace experience. As a result, you may be granted some university credits.

List of universities offering a teacher training program (in French only)

Throughout your training, you have the possibility of blending work and study. You can become a casual supply teacher even before taking steps to qualify as a teacher. You do not need a teaching licence to substitute teach a school subject in Québec. 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.

Regulation respecting teaching licences