Posted by Wanda
Becoming a post secondary student in BC
EducationPlannerBC is an online resource to help learners make well informed decisions about their education and career options. Use the Plan section to find articles and information about the different paths along the student journey.
This excellent resource helps guide you through:
Getting Started – Planning stage
Finance – Financing your Education
Study – Supporting your study plans
Work – Guiding you to work opportunities both during and after
Institution Locator – Helping you find the perfect institution for your area of studies

Becoming a teacher
Teaching certificate holders coming to BC from elsewhere in Canada are required to apply for two certificates
- BC Teaching Certificate (an academic record, including teacher education training and subject area studies and teaching experience. If you have a valid Teaching Certificate from another province you are likely to qualify for a basic Certificate without any further coursework)
- BC Ministry of Education certificate – fitness to teach (taken through the Teacher Regulation Branch to show you meet the Ministry’s requirements to teach in the province, that is, whether your moral character makes you suitable to work with children)
The information in this section applies to you if you are completing or have completed a teacher education program at a Canadian university outside of BC or completed your education program in BC over one year ago.
If you have a valid teaching certificate from another Canadian province or territory, you will probably qualify for a BC teaching certificate. However, before you can teach in BC, you must apply for a BC Ministry of Education teaching certificate through the Teacher Regulation Branch and show that you meet the Ministry’s standards of fitness.
Paths to teacher certification are different from one province to another. While you may qualify for a Basic Certificate, you may choose to upgrade to a Professional Certificate by completing additional coursework. Learn more about the types of certificates issued by the Teacher Regulation Branch.Types of Certificates
Note: The Teacher Regulation Branch is moving to only accepting applications for teacher certification through the secure Applicants’ Area of our website. This change will benefit you as an applicant because you will be able to receive updates about the status of your application and monitor its progress online. The online application process improves the security of your information and the service we are able to provide you.
