Teaching in Canada: A New Pathway for International Educators to Join the Classroom

If you’re an experienced teacher trained outside of Canada, you might be wondering: “How do I actually get into a Canadian classroom?”

You’re not alone. Every year, thousands of educators arrive in Canada with rich experience and global knowledge — but find themselves stuck navigating a complicated, province-by-province certification system. That’s changing.

A new program — Pathways to Teach Canada — is here to help international teachers take real steps toward certification and a meaningful career in Canadian classrooms.

Let’s break it down simply.

🌎 Why Is This a Big Deal?

Even though teachers are in high demand across Canada, especially in rural and northern areas, becoming certified isn’t easy for those trained abroad. Each province and territory has its own requirements, and verifying foreign credentials can be frustrating and slow.

That’s where Pathways to Teach Canada steps in. Instead of guessing what documents you need or bouncing between agencies, you now have a central, organized portal built specifically for internationally educated teachers.

🧭 What Is Pathways to Teach Canada?

Launched in November 2024, this initiative gives foreign-trained teachers a single point of entry to:

• Get their teaching credentials assessed

• Take a recognized language proficiency test (called the LCATP)

• Submit results directly to the province or territory where they want to work

It’s designed to reduce delays, eliminate confusion, and help qualified teachers move forward faster.

The program is built in partnership with World Education Services (WES), which many newcomers already trust for credential recognition.

📍 Where Is It Available?

This program is currently accepted in these provinces and territories:

• British Columbia

• Manitoba

• New Brunswick

• Newfoundland and Labrador

• Northwest Territories

• Nova Scotia

• Nunavut

• Prince Edward Island

• Saskatchewan

Ontario runs its own process through the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), but Pathways can still help you complete the LCATP language test, which OCT accepts.

Note: Alberta, Quebec, and Yukon are not part of the program — you’ll need to apply directly to their certification bodies.

✅ Who Can Use It?

This program isn’t for everyone — it’s designed specifically for those who have:

• Completed a teacher education program outside Canada

• Taught in one or more academic subject areas (like English, science, math, etc.)

• Not already been certified to teach in Canada

If that’s you, you’re eligible to apply.

🛠️ What’s the Process Like?

Here’s what to expect when applying through Pathways to Teach Canada:

1. Create an account on the Pathways portal.

2. Choose what you need:
   → A Credential Assessment, and/or
   → A Language Proficiency Test (LCATP)

3. For credential evaluation, you’ll be redirected to the WES site to submit documents. Some must come directly from your school or licensing body.

4. Schedule your LCATP test directly in the portal.

5. Once your documents and test results are in, submit them to the regulatory body for your province or territory.

6. Finally, apply for your teaching certificate through that province/territory’s official website.

If you want to apply to more than one province, you can — just be aware of extra fees.

🧾 Other Requirements You Should Know About

Each province has its own rules beyond education and language. You may also need to:

• Provide criminal record checks or character references

• Complete special orientation courses (e.g. B.C. requires a familiarization course)

• Meet faith-based requirements, if applying to teach in Catholic schools

It’s a good idea to look into these before starting your application so nothing catches you off guard later.

🇨🇦 Great News: Canada Has Made It Easier for Teachers to Immigrate

Here’s an exciting update: In 2025, Canada officially added Education as a new in-demand job category under the Express Entry immigration system. This means:

• Teachers now have a better chance at receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence

• The CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) cut-off score for teachers is significantly lower than general draws

In fact, on May 1, 2025, Canada held its first draw for the Education category and invited 1,000 teachers. The cut-off score? Just 479 — far lower than the usual 520–540 range for other applicants.

To qualify, you’ll need:

• At least 6 months of continuous, full-time experience in a single teaching occupation within the last 3 years

• To meet other basic Express Entry requirements (language test, education, admissibility, etc.)

📖 A Real-World Example: Sara’s Journey

Let’s meet Sara — a chemistry teacher from Egypt who arrived in Canada last year. She held a bachelor’s degree in education and taught high school for seven years.

When she landed in Toronto, she struggled to understand what the Ontario College of Teachers required. Then she found Pathways to Teach Canada. Through the platform, she:

• Took her LCATP language test

• Got her documents assessed by WES

• Submitted everything directly to the OCT

Today, she’s in her final stage of certification and applying for permanent residency under the Education category.

💡 Final Thoughts: Your Skills Are Needed — And Valued

Canada’s classrooms are ready for diverse, passionate, and experienced educators. While the certification process might seem overwhelming at first, you’re not expected to figure it all out alone.

With tools like Pathways to Teach Canada and a growing focus on skilled immigration, the road is finally becoming clearer for international teachers. This is your time to bring your voice, your training, and your impact to Canadian students.

And if you need help navigating it all — from credential assessments to immigration — there are resources, communities, and professionals ready to support you every step of the way.