Global2BC Roadmap

Your step-by-step route to becoming a certified teacher in British Columbia.

The British Columbia’s education system places a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. For internationally trained teachers, however, understanding how to become certified and employed in BC can feel complex and difficult to navigate. Many arrive with years of teaching experience, advanced degrees, and a strong commitment to education, yet encounter a system that involves multiple requirements, separate platforms, and detailed documentation.
Information about teacher certification is publicly available across several official websites, but it is not always presented in a single, connected place. As a result, applicants may find it challenging to understand which certification pathway applies to them, how the steps fit together, and what is required at each stage.
Global2BC was created to make this process more transparent — not by simplifying the rules, but by clearly laying them out.
This platform brings together official information, links, and step-by-step guidance so that internationally trained teachers can better understand BC’s teacher certification system before and during the application process.

Understanding the teaching pathway in British Columbia

Before beginning the application process, it is important for internationally educated teachers trained outside Canada to understand how teacher certification works in British Columbia and which pathway applies to their qualifications and experience.

For international applicants, certification requirements vary depending on:

• The type of teaching certificate you are eligible to apply for (Certificate of Qualification or Conditional Certificate)
• Whether you intend to teach in public schools or independent (private) schools
• The country in which your teacher education was completed, as credential recognition and documentation requirements differ by country
• Your intended teaching area, such as academic subjects, French programs, or trades and technology education

Official overview of certification pathways and requirements for internationally educated teachers:
👉 https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/teach/become-a-teacher/types/coq-requirementsts

You’ll find:

• A roadmap from start to finish
• Direct link to every official site you need

One Platform, Clear Steps

Step 1

Country-Specific Documents

Country-Specific Documents Required for International Credentials. This link takes you to the Government of British Columbia-“Documents Required for International Credentials”:

This link highlights country specific documents that are accepted when applying for teacher certification in BC. This site will assist you in avoiding delays by showing what to submit if your country does not issue teaching certificates or statements of professional standing. It also outlines translation rules and mailing instructions for official documents.

Country-Specific Documents Required for International Credentials. This link takes you to the Government of British Columbia- “Documents Required for International Credentials”.

Required Documents

Step 2

Gather and Prepare Your Documents

Before you apply, take time to collect and organize the documents TRB requires. These will be used to assess your eligibility for teacher certification. Some must be mailed directly from your university or ministry, and others may need certified translation. 

Suggested Document Checklist:

• Degree certificates
• Transcripts (in sealed envelopes or sent directly)
• Proof of teacher education program
• Criminal record check (BC or international equivalent)
• Name change documents (if applicable)
• Certified translations (if documents are not in English or French)

Note

For those who do not have teaching credentials certificates from their home country, but experience, can apply to the Teacher Regulation Branch TRB, and from there you will receive the necessary guidance to take you forward in getting your teacher certification in BC Canada. 

Unrecognized Programs

Programs like FLE, Cambridge CELTA/DELTA, TESOL, SCITT, TEACH-NOW, Teacher-Ready, or short/online/distance programs are not recognized for certification. 

Document Checklist

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Step 3

Pathways to Teach Canada

Pathways to Teach Canada: Credential Assessment for internationally trained teachers This platform is designed for: Any international teachers who wants to become a certified teacher in one of the participating provinces or territories and who: 

• Has completed a teacher education program; 
• Is a teacher of one or more academic disciplines (mathematics, language, physical education, computer science, visual arts, etc.); and 
• Has not previously been certified in a province or territory

Here is an important YouTube video to view before you start:  

Note – International Teachers

If you completed your teacher education program outside Canada and apply on or after November 1, 2024, you may need your credentials assessed by Pathways to Teach Canada.-  they only assesses your international teacher credentials letting you know if you can proceed with the certification process/ providing also that you have all the required documents. You will have to register

Pathways to Teach Canada

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Step 4

Apply for Certification with TRB (Teacher Regulation Branch)

This is where you formally begin your journey to become a certified teacher in British Columbia. Here you are formally applying to the Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB) for your Certificate of Qualification, which legally allows you to teach in BC schools.

At this stage you are:

• Creating your Teacher Regulation Branch online account – by registering for a Basic BCeID.
• Choosing the correct certificate type (Certificate of Qualification).
• All translation must be done for documents not written in english- by consulate, high commission or embassy (in Canada) of the country which issued the documents; or a Canadian embassy, consulate or high commission in the country from which the applicant emigrated; or an associated or certified member of the Society of Translators
• Uploading digital copies of your documents.

step 5

Language Proficiency Test

This process is only for those who are required to do the Language test.

Test		Notes
IELTS Academic	–	Must be taken within the last 2 years. Links to book test: IELTS Test Booking | IDP IELTS CanadaBook your IELTS test | Take IELTS with the British Council
CELPIP General Note – not CELPIP General LS- this is for Canadian citizenship		Must be taken within the last 2 years. Links to book test: Find a Test Date – CELPIPCELPIP – Paragon Testing Enterprises
TOEFL iBT Note – Choose TOEFL iBT, not TOEFL Essentials or paper-based formats.		Must be taken within the last 2 years. Links to book test: TOEFL iBT Test RegistrationSchedule Your TOEFL iBT Test – Book Today!

step 6

Criminal Records Check

You do not upload your criminal record check manually. After you apply, TRB will initiate the process through the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP). You’ll receive instructions via the TRB portal, and results will be sent directly to TRB. The criminal records check comes from CRRP, and not the RCMP. This check is renewed every 5 years, provided that you completed your teacher certification process and was successful.– TRB will remind you when it needs to be done. The cost is Canadian $28.

Different Purposes:

• The RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) does general criminal background checks — usually for immigration, travel, or employment that requires fingerprint verification.
• The CRRP (Criminal Records Review Program) is a specialized provincial program under the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, created specifically for people working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults — including teachers.

Who Needs It:

• All applicants for teacher certification in BC
• Must be completed even if you’ve done one for another employer
• Required every five years to maintain your certificate

What It Checks:

• Vulnerable sector screening
• Criminal history relevant to working with children and youth

Note: You do not need to complete the criminal record check before applying. TRB will initiate it once your application is submitted.

Situation	Who Applies	Access Code
You have a BC service card	You apply for yourself online through the eCRC portal	You’ll use the TRB’s access code. The link to enter the code – https://justice.gov.bc.ca/screening/crrpa/org-access.
You don’t have a BC Service card eg. international and new to BC	TRB applies on your behalf	No code is needed, you just have to submit a signed consent form to TRB

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step 7

Step 6 Title

For those who have been issued their BC Teacher Certificate from the Teacher Regulation Branch you can now apply to the Teacher Qualification Services (TQS). Here, they will assess your education for salary placement. This process is free; however, there is a $15 cost for mailing to TQS and the returning of your documents.

Apply for TQS

step 8

Step 7 Title

At this stage you can begin to apply because you have received your Teacher certificate. I have added the link for Make A Future Which will give you vacancies in all the BC school districts where you can apply for teaching positions.

Make A Future

Support Services/Communities for International teachers

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A Master of Education student in British Columbia, Canada. RoadMap for International Teachers began as a research project on teacher shortages, which led me to the overlooked experiences of international teachers in BC. Although I am not a teacher myself, I created RoadMap to address the fragmented credentialing process and offer clear guidance for those navigating it.

Ria

British Columbia, CA

Last Updated: November 2025