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 the field of 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 Holders of a teaching licence issued outside Canada (PDF 261 Kb) (in French only)

There are several programs offered abroad that are recognized for teaching 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
• Côte d'Ivoire
• Egypt
• France
• Moldova
• Morocco
• Romania
• Tunisia
• United States

If you have completed a teacher education program in another country to teach a school subject, or trade or occupation, and if you are authorized to teach there, follow the procedure below to become a teacher in Québec.

1. Fill out an application for a Québec teaching licence online, making sure to submit all the supporting documents requested.
2. After your application has been reviewed, and if it is accepted, you will receive a conditional approval notice. Valid for five years, the conditional approval does not allow you to teach, but rather to take the compulsory language examination during that period.
3. If you pass the language examination, you will be issued a probationary teaching permit, subject to verification of your judicial record and status in Canada. The probationary teaching permit is a 10-year temporary teaching licence. You will therefore be able to teach for 10 years.
4. To obtain a teaching diploma (permanent teaching licence) in general education, you must:

• earn 15 university credits:
  • 6 credits in didactics
  • 3 credits in Québec’s school system
  • 3 credits in the evaluation of learning
  • 3 credits in working with students with disabilities, social maladjustments or learning difficulties
• successfully complete a probationary period

Complementary training (course or field experience) may be required, if necessary.

To obtain a teaching diploma in vocational training (teaching a trade or occupation), you must:

• earn 3 credits in Québec’s school system
• successfully complete a probationary period
• Complementary training or experience in the trade or occupation, or teaching may be required, depending on your prior learning.

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 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.

Holders of a teaching licence issued outside Canada (PDF 261 Kb) (in French only)

Terms and conditions for obtaining a probationary Québec teaching licence (PDF 699 Kb) (in French only)

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

Regulation respecting teaching licences

Brochure on immigrating to Québec to teach (PDF 1.04 Mb) (in French only)

Support for employers

• Guide to recruiting teachers trained outside Canada (PDF 380 Kb) (in French only)