Alert:OCTs must pay their annual membership fee by April 15, 2026 to maintain good standing status. Pay your AMF.
The Ontario College of Teachers licenses, governs and regulates the province’s teaching profession in the public interest and to protect students. All publicly funded school teachers and administrators in Ontario must be licensed by us and be Ontario Certified Teachers (OCT).
The College regulates the teaching profession to protect students. Teachers in Ontario’s publicly funded elementary and secondary schools must be certified by the College, keep their membership in good standing, and follow the profession’s ethical and practice standards.
Explore everything related to your Ontario College of Teachers certification, including how to pay your annual fees, keep up to date with the College, and stay informed about ongoing professional learning.
You must apply to be certified by the Ontario College of Teachers and remain in good standing to teach in Ontario’s publicly funded elementary and secondary schools.
The College provides information and resources to support Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs), applicants and education system partners to strengthen the teaching profession and promote student safety.
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The College Council is the governing body of the Ontario College of Teachers. Council members are selected through a competency-based process.
A 12-member Council was established to govern the College. Council develops and approves policies that regulate the teaching profession in Ontario.
Council consists of six Ontario Certified Teachers and six members of the public who must not now be, nor ever have been, a member of the teaching profession. Members of the College with a status other than good standing (e.g., inactive – non-practising) must reinstate their membership in order to be eligible for a position on Council, a committee or a roster.
Council members are initially appointed for one- or two-year terms. Terms thereafter are for two years. Term limitations apply, for example, if they have previously served as a Council member. A person appointed to Council, a committee or a roster will be limited to no more than six consecutive years of service. Individuals who served on the previous councils or rosters for a total of six years cannot be appointed until three years have elapsed since the end of their last day of service.
On average, Council and committee members dedicate 10-30 days a year to College business. Meetings are taking place online for now. However, some meetings may involve travel to the College’s office in Toronto.
The College provides orientation and training to support new Council, committee and roster members before they assume their responsibilities.
With respect to Council, committee and roster members who are members of the teaching profession, the College reimburses the member’s employer for replacement costs when the member attends meetings during regular workdays. If summer meetings are required, the member is compensated directly at a rate of $150 per day. Members of the public are compensated at a rate of $150 per day. When applicable, travel, accommodation and meal expenses are reimbursed.
