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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As the teaching profession evolves, so to do the methods by which teachers are educated. The College takes an active role in this evolution, by helping develop and guide teaching programs provided by education faculties in Ontario.
In 2015, the College was instrumental in the development of a series of changes to initial education programs. As the result, initial teaching programs in Ontario now include:
Learn more about the focus and core intent of initial teaching programs in our Accreditation Resource Guide.
