Becoming a teacher

Several career and academic paths lead to the teaching profession, and job prospects for teachers in Québec are excellent. Visit the Teaching General Education in the Youth Sector, Vocational Training and Adult Education page to find out more about working conditions.

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

• contemplating your career choice
• on the job market and thinking about a career change
• a teacher from another Canadian province or territory
• a teacher who wishes to immigrate to Québec

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.

For more information, see the documents on various paths that lead to a teaching diploma.

To determine whether you are eligible to obtain or renew a teaching licence, you must complete the following form, regardless of whether you are currently enrolled in a teacher education program, have completed such a 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 Bachelor of Education program leading to a teaching diploma for preschool, elementary school, secondary school or 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.

In addition, accelerated paths leading to a teaching diploma are available for teaching staff who are not legally qualified but are employed in the school system. See the Brevet d’enseignement pour le personnel enseignant non légalement qualifié web page (in French only) for more information.

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

You will obtain a teaching licence once you have completed your studies.

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

Whether you are currently in school or on the job market, you can change your career path and become a teacher.

Throughout your teacher education, you have the possibility of working while you study. You can become a substitute teacher (teacher paid by the lesson or by the hour or casual supply 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 pursuing your studies, you must obtain a provisional teaching licence.

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

For more information, see the documents on the various paths that lead to a teaching diploma.

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 obtaining a qualifying master’s degree or a Specialized Graduate Studies Diploma (if you are a beneficiary of a letter of tolerance).

No matter your education background, you must first contact the university of your choice. It will provide you with information to help you identify the teacher education program that best suits your career aspirations and university training, as well as the registration requirements for each program. In some university programs, your education and professional experience may be recognized in the form of university course credits.

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

If you have completed vocational training

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

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. For more information, see the document Persons who have undertaken a teacher training program in vocational training (PDF 281 Kb) (in French only).

Consult the List of universities offering a bachelor’s degree in vocational training education (in French only) to see which universities offer a bachelor’s degree in vocational training.

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

For more information, see the document Holders of a teaching licence issued in another Canadien province or territory (PDF 259 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

If you have a bachelor’s degree in a subject taught in elementary and secondary schools in Québec, see the If you have training in a school subject section.

If you have completed vocational training

If you have a Diploma of Vocational Studies or if you work in a trade or occupation that is taught in vocational training, see the If you have completed vocational training section.

Tool regarding teacher education programs for vocational training (PDF 1.59 Mb) (in French only)

Regulation respecting teaching licences