Probationary period

The probationary period is a period of supervised teaching practice during which the knowledge and competencies specific to the teaching profession must be demonstrated by the candidate and evaluated.  It enables holders of a probationary teaching permit to obtain a teaching diploma.

The probationary period consists of a maximum of 900 hours, but may be reduced to 600 hours if the candidate has met the objectives. Probationary periods must take place in a recognized educational institution. The holder of a probationary teaching permit must start their probationary period as soon as a contract consisting of at least 200 hours of teaching per year is signed.

A person designated by the employer evaluates the candidate. At the end of the period, the employer issues an attestation of success or a notice of failure.

Completion of the probationary period is a required condition for holders of a probationary teaching permit who :

• have successfully completed, in Québec, a recognized general teacher training program of at least 30 credits leading to a diploma of specialized graduate studies
• have successfully completed, in Québec, a general teacher training program recognized before 1994 or a vocational teacher training program recognized before 2002
• hold a teaching license that is issued by a Canadian province other than Québec or by a Canadian territory, and with conditions equivalent to the successful completion of a probationary period
• have completed a teacher training program outside Canada that is equivalent or substantially equivalent to a teacher training program in Québec

If you receive a notice of failure at the end of your probationary period, you may repeat it, but only once.  There are two ways to request permission to repeat the probationary period. You can:

• sign the section provided for this purpose on the notice of failure, or
• fill in and submit the Application to repeat the probationary period form (PDF 734 Kb) (in French only), within 60 days of receiving the notice of failure

If the request is not received by the required date, the probationary permit will cease to be valid upon expiry of the 60-day period.

In addition, if you are repeating the probationary period after failing the first time, you must inform your employer and your school principal.