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 of the College refine their professional knowledge, skills, practices and values described in the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession and the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession through ongoing professional learning. The Professional Learning Framework for the Teaching Profession (PLF) describes some opportunities and processes that support ongoing professional learning for educators. These opportunities have been identified by members of the profession through provincial consultations, surveys, focus groups and written narratives of practice. The Professional Learning Framework for the Teaching Profession (Ontario College of Teachers, 2016) is one component of a collective vision of teacher professionalism in Ontario that was collaboratively created by both the profession and the public.
Collective Vision of Teacher Professionalism
Professional learning takes a variety of forms. The Professional Learning Framework for the Teaching Profession supports the Ontario College of Teachers to meet its legislated mandate to“provide for the ongoing education of members of the College.” It also informs the public of the many ways educators remain knowledgeable and current. The Professional Learning Framework for the Teaching Profession supports the ongoing growth and development of the profession through the identification of a wide range of learning and education opportunities.
Read about opportunities for professional learning in the Professional Learning Framework for the Teaching Profession.
