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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Members: for any AQ-related questions, please visit our ‘Ask a Question’ page.
The Principal’s Development Course (PDC) offers professional growth for aspiring and practicing principals and vice-principals at both elementary and secondary levels. Members may now take the PDC at any time (previously, two years of successful experience as a vice principal or principal was required). All other eligibility criteria must be met for the qualification to appear on your Certification of Qualification Record (CQR).
The PDC allows candidates to explore educational leadership in greater depth and to reflect upon their range of experiences, knowledge, skills, and attitudes when dealing with complex issues in the school and school community.
For technological education, Indigenous ancestry, and Indigenous languages teachers who do not hold an undergraduate degree and are pursuing Principal’s Qualifications, Part 1 through the alternative leadership pathway: While two specialist qualifications are still accepted, these members can meet the two specialist requirement by taking the PDC and one specialist qualification in lieu of two specialist qualifications.
