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, based 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 teachers, are not permitted to wear any religious symbols while working.

Whether or not you are a teacher in your country, you could 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 .

For more information, see the document on the different pathways to teaching for holders of a teaching licence issued outside Canada (PDF 126 Kb) (in French only).

There are several internationally recognized programs that will allow you to teach in Québec. We recommend that you start by verifying your eligibility using the Teaching licence application service .

You can also refer to the list of countries below. You will find some examples of training that could be recognized as relevant to teaching. It is important to apply for a teaching licence, whether or not your program is on the list, since each case is different (programs, specific pathways, optional courses) and the list is not exhaustive.

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.

1. First, fill out an application for a Québec teaching licence online, 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.
   • 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 disabilities or learning difficulties
   • serve a probationary period of 600 to 900 hours

In vocational training, only the three 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.

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, even if you are not currently a teacher.

You must first contact the university of your choice to choose the teacher education program that best matches your career aspirations and university training. Some university programs will recognize your training and workplace experience. As a result, you may be granted some university credits. In most cases, you will have to do a qualifying master’s degree.

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

List of teacher education programs leading to a teaching licence (in French only)

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 meet the following two conditions:

• You have accumulated 3000 hours of experience as a preschool services educator or teacher.
• You complete a B. Ed. in preschool and elementary school education, which you can do while still continuing to work, 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 any required gap training or credits that can be recognized based on your studies and professional experience.

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 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:

• 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 still continuing to work, at the university of your choice , by applying for a provisional teaching licence.

You must first contact the university of your choice 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 background, 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 training and workplace experience. As a result, you may be granted some university credits. Throughout your training, you have the possibility of working while you study.

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

Throughout your training, you have the possibility of working while you study. You could become a substitute teacher 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 successfully completed your training, you will be issued a teaching diploma.

Pathways – Holders of a teaching authorization issued outside Canada (PDF 126 Kb) (in French only)

Terms and conditions for obtaining a probationary Québec teaching licence (PDF 684 Kb) (in French only)

Tool regarding teacher education programs for vocational training (PDF 1.58 Mb) (in French only)

Support for employers

• Guide to recruiting teachers trained outside Canada (PDF 374 Kb) (in French only)
• Explanatory video – Guide pour le recrutement du personnel enseignant formé à l’étranger  (in French only)

Regulation respecting teaching licences