Frequently Asked Questions

Here you can find answers to many Frequently Asked Questions, grouped by topic:

• Applying for a Certificate of Qualification and Registration

  1. Why does the College ask for my Social Insurance Number?
  2. Why does the College ask for a Criminal Record Check?
  3. Where do I go to obtain a Criminal Record Check Report?
  4. Where can I learn more about how to register with the College?
  5. What is the College's policy on the translation of documents needed for application?
  6. If I taught in another country and would like to teach in Ontario, what do I need to do?
  7. I would like to work as a teacher outside Ontario and understand I need a Statement of Professional Standing from the College. How do I get one?
  8. How do I become a teacher in Ontario?
  9. How do I apply to the College online and track the application process?
  10. Can I teach before the College certifies me?

• Additional Qualifications

  1. What is an AQ?
  2. Are all AQ courses offered in the same way and at the same time?
  3. Do I have to be a certified teacher to take courses leading to Additional Qualifications?
  4. Do I need to contact the College when I successfully complete an AQ course?
  5. How can I find out what AQ courses are available in Ontario?
  6. How can I get a copy of my certificate that shows I have completed an AQ?
  7. How do I find out about the status of an AQ course guideline?
  8. How do I find out who is offering a certain AQ?
  9. I just completed my teacher education program and I want to take an AQ. I’m not yet an Ontario Certified Teacher. Can I take an AQ course now?
  10. Some of the guidelines are indicated as drafts. Will they change?
  11. What is the difference between the Schedules of AQs?
  12. What new AQs are available?
  13. Which AQ courses lead to qualifications to teach in a new division?
  14. Why do some AQs listed on your website not have any guidelines?
  15. Can I take AQs to teach students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing?
  16. How is successful teaching experience calculated for admission to certain AQs?
  17. I completed an Additional Qualification course but was awarded a qualification with a different name. Why?
  18. I completed studies that I think are equivalent to an AQ.  How do I get these recognized on my record?
  19. I have taken the Schedule C course Kindergarten. The College now has a three part Schedule D Kindergarten course. Will my Schedule C qualification be the same as the new Schedule D course?
  20. I understand that there is a new Schedule F in regulation. What is this schedule?
  21. Is my Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma equivalent to the Schedule D Kindergarten Part 1 AQ course?
  22. Is teaching experience necessary as prerequisite for entry into Schedule D Part 2 and Specialist AQs?
  23. My qualifications are in Technological Education. Which AQs can I take?
  24. The list of AQs on your website says that the course I took a few years ago is being discontinued. Will it be removed from my certificate?
  25. The list of AQs on your website says that the name of the course I took a few years ago is being changed. Will I have to take that course again to keep that qualification?
  26. There are courses not currently identified in the Teachers’ Qualifications Regulation schedules that I would like to see offered for Ontario educators.  How do I recommend these courses be added to the schedules?
  27. What qualifications do I need to be a principal?
  28. Who decided what new Additional Qualifications should be created?

• General information on the Ontario College of Teachers

  1. Can the College help me find a teaching job?
  2. I would like to send a question by email to the College. Where do I send it?
  3. What is the mandate of the Ontario College of Teachers?

• Internationally Educated Teachers

  1. Because of the political unrest, I cannot get transcripts from my postsecondary institution. Is there an acceptable substitute?
  2. Can I use another document instead of a teaching certificate?
  3. Is a teaching certificate the same as my diploma?
  4. My academic records do not include specific course hours. I cannot get this information. What should I do?
  5. My postsecondary institution sent the official academic records to my home in error. I have not opened the envelope. Since it is still sealed, can I bring them in or mail them to you?
  6. What are Basic Qualifications?

• Initial teacher education program

  1. Does the College recognize teacher education programs taken online?
  2. What do I need to do to become a general studies teacher?
  3. What's required to teach technological subjects?
  4. Where do I go to apply for teacher training?
  5. Will the College accept my qualifications if I take a teacher education program outside of Ontario?

• Member information

  1. Can I ask to have my name removed from the College's public register?
  2. Can I have a former name removed from the College’s public register?
  3. How can I get a copy of my tax receipt?
  4. How can I have the College recognize me by my common name?
  5. How do I access the Members Section of the College's website?
  6. How do I change my status to retired on the College's public registry?
  7. How do I inform the College about a change in my address?
  8. How do I update personal information that appears on the public register?
  9. My significant other (husband/wife/son/daughter) recently died. How do I change his/her status on the College's public register to show him/her as deceased?
  10. What information appears on the College's public register?
  11. Why is my name on the College's public register different than the name I usually go by?

• Membership fees

  1. Can I pay a reduced membership fee if I only work occasionally?
  2. How do I renew my College membership if I've been suspended for not paying my fees?
  3. What happens if I let my membership lapse but wish to teach again later?
  4. When are College membership fees due and how do I pay?
  5. Can I pay by credit card?
  6. Can I pay by phone?
  7. Do I pay HST for my membership fee?
  8. How do I pay my membership fee via my financial institution?
  9. I do my financial business in French. In the list of payees, I can’t find the French name Ordre des enseignantes et des enseignants de l’Ontario. Is it possible to add it?
  10. I have some questions about my membership fee and my standing with the College. Is there a number I can call?
  11. I want to pay through my credit union/bank online but the College doesn’t appear in the list of vendors – what do I do?
  12. If I do not pay my fee now, will I receive another notice before April 15?
  13. If I retire, can I teach occasionally?
  14. In order to pay, I need an online banking number. Where can I find this number?
  15. Is my membership fee tax deductible?
  16. My school board told me it would be deducting my annual membership fee from my pay cheque. Should I just ignore this invoice?
  17. What about the $130 reinstatement fee if I miss the deadline – is that tax deductible too?
  18. What period does the $138 fee cover?
  19. What should I do if I am retiring or leaving the profession?
  20. What should I do if I want to print a receipt of my membership fee but don’t have access to a printer?
  21. What will happen if my membership fee is not paid by April 15?
  22. Where can I find my registration number?
  23. Why does the College not accept post-dated cheques?

• Miscellaneous

  1. Are there special discounts available to teachers as members of the College?
  2. Where do I find information about Ontario's curriculum and the assignment of teachers?

• My Certificate of Qualification and Registration

  1. How do I add a degree to my Certificate of Qualification and Registration?
  2. How do I get the Honours designation I received on my undergraduate degree to appear on my record on the College's public register?
  3. How do I know the College acknowledges my additional qualifications?
  4. I received a Certificate of Qualification and Registration with a condition. Why?

• Teacher qualifications

  1. Can I ask to remove an additional qualification from my record on the College's public register?
  2. How do I get a transcript from a teachers' college that is now closed?
  3. How do I qualify for equivalent standing?
  4. How will the addition of a degree affect my salary?
  5. What courses do I need to take to teach at the intermediate level or in high school?
  6. What prerequisites do I need to qualify for the Principal's Qualifications Part 1?
  7. What qualifications do I need to teach in English or French language schools?
  8. Where do I go to take an Additional Qualification course?