For an overview of the application process, please go to the following TCB webpage: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/teach/teacher-certification/apply
Note: The TCB recently changed its name. Formerly, it was called the Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB) so you might see that name in some of the TCB website information and links.
Video guides: The TCB created instructional videos to guide you through the application process. Topics addressed include: Creating an account, Completing the application form, Providing ID and character references, Submitting transcripts, Checking your application status.
Access the videos through the following link and scroll down to ‘Get help with the application process’.
Link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/teach/teacher-certification/apply
Account(s) Set Up:
- Account(s) set-up: BC eID & Teacher Certification Branch (TCB).
Note: For this account, use a personal email address that you will continue to use in the future. Make note of your user name and password.
- After you created your BCeID (an email confirmation will be sent to you), go to the TCB website/Your Account area
- Login to Your Account area with your BCeID log in and password to begin the application process: https://teacherregulation.gov.bc.ca/LoginInfo/YourAccountLogin.aspx
- An email confirmation will be sent to you (from the TCB)
Application and Fee Payment
- Go to Applicant’s Area and download the Certificate of Qualification (CoQ) and save it to your desktop. Complete the CoQ application form… Hit ‘save’ often.
- Enter personal information
- Answer a short questionnaire: answer truthfully and provide as much detail as possible.
- Make sure to list all your academic credentials and all post-secondary institutions you have attended in the Academic Qualifications section. This will avoid delays later in the process.
- Be sure to consent to a Criminal Record Check.
- For employment experience, list your field experience(s) to date and most recent jobs only (especially ones where you worked with young people). You do not need to provide an exhaustive list of your employment history.
- Upload your completed CoQ application form in the area provided in the Applicants’ Area. If any information is missing, you will be prompted to complete or correct the information on the form. When the form is complete, you can submit your application and pay the application fee ($245) through the Applicants’ Area (credit card is easiest form of payment).
- Email confirmation from TCB: Wait for an email from the TCB, which will arrive within five to seven business days after they receive your application. They will create a file for you and place it in a queue based on the date received. The email confirms that the TCB has received your application and will include your file number (letter ‘L’ + 6 numbers). This file number will eventually become your certification number. Please mention your full name and file number in all future communication with the TCB.
Once you have submitted your application and paid your fees, you can work on submitting the required documents…This can be completed over time. Future submitted documents are added to your file- that is why it is important to include your full name and file number in all communication with the TCB.
5. Documents: The TCB requires you to submit a number of documents as part of your application. These are all described in detail on the TCB webpage
Link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/teach/teacher-certification/apply/submit-documents
You don’t need to send in all of the documents at once. Start with a few and then keep sending documents as you obtain them. Because documents will arrive for your file at different times from different sources, the TCB will add each document to your file as it arrives. Just make sure that all submissions are properly identified with your full name and TCB file number.
Here are some additional notes about documents:
- You must consent to a Criminal Record Check (CRC): The Okanagan School of Education will not forward your CRC report to the TCB. TCB will submit your CRC application as part of your certification process. You don’t need to carry out an external CRC application.
- Transcripts: Please read the TCB website information carefully (see document link above). After you complete your program, the Okanagan School of Education will send your UBC transcript to the TCB and TQS on your behalf but you need to request transcripts for all other post-secondary institutions including coursework transferred to UBC from other institutions (including any Go Global exchanges).
Suggestion: When you are ordering transcripts from non-UBC institutions, order three copies – one copy to be sent directly to TCB, one sealed copy to mail to the TQS, and one copy for you to keep and use to scan when applying for teaching positions (most districts request a copy of all of your transcripts in order to assess your qualifications/eligibility for positions).
- Final practicum report: Submit your signed/initialed internship final report. Normally this document is sent to interns on the final day of internship.
- Verification of Identification Documents: Any TCB certificate holder (e.g. Okanagan School of Education faculty advisors) can verify documents on your behalf. The verifier will need to see your original document prior to signing the photocopied version. On the photocopied version, the verifier should write: “verified by… [print name], [signature], [TCB certificate number], [teaching position], [the date].
- Character references: Make sure these people will give you a positive reference and submit the completed reference form in a timely manner. You will need to complete and submit page 1 of the form. You will also need to ask two people acting as your references (your referees) who have known you for at least two years to complete page 2 and submit the forms directly to the TCB. Your referees do not need to have observed you in any teaching capacity. However, the TCB will not accept forms completed by referees who are closely related to you, such as relatives, partner, spouse or significant other. Also, the TCB does not accept letters of recommendation as a substitute for the character reference form.
- If you are planning to teach in another province, complete the Statement of Professional Standing form as well. See the ‘Teach in another province or country’ link on the webpage. The TCB will forward this form to the other jurisdiction when your certificate is issued. Link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/teach/teach-in-another-province-country
- UBC transcripts: Following grade submission at the end of your teacher education program (BEd: mid-December), the Okanagan School of Education will forward to the TCB and TQS the names and UBC transcripts for all BEd students who have completed the program.
- The TCB will issue your teacher certificate if/when your file is complete. At that point, you will need to pay your annual fee ($80).
- Make sure you keep your account contact information up to date.
- If you have questions at any point in the application process, please contact the TCB directly. The Okanagan School of Education is not in a position to advise you with regard to your application.
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
Note: The TCB cannot discuss application status or evaluations over the phone.
Victoria Phone: 250 387-6121
Vancouver Phone: 604 660-2421
Elsewhere in B.C. Toll Free: 1 800 663-7867
Outside B.C. Phone: 604 660-2421
Mailing: Ministry of Education, 400-2025 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 1Z6
Final notes:
- In the interim period before your certification is finalized: If you have been hired for a teaching position, your employer can request a letter of completion from the OSE by emailing Dr. Wendy Klassen (klassen@ubc.ca).
- If any jurisdiction or school district requires more than the TCB certificate, you can request a “Letter of Degree Completion” from the Okanagan School of Education. Email your request, with an accompanying reason, to the OSE email: ubco@ubc.ca.
- If the Letter of Degree Completion is insufficient, the Okanagan School of Education will handle these situations on an individual basis.