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Teacher Certification

Every teacher employed in the primary/elementary/secondary schools of this province, is required by law to hold a valid Newfoundland and Labrador teaching certificate. There are four basic teaching certificates which, in general terms, represent increasingly higher levels of approved degree programs and additional years of university study. Teaching certificates are endorsed according to the type of professional study completed: primary/elementary; secondary; or primary/elementary/secondary. There are no endorsements for subject areas. Certificate holders may teach any subject area within the grade level endorsement which they hold.

• Minimum Requirements for Initial Certification
• How to Apply for Initial Teaching Certification
• Must I be a Resident of Newfoundland and Labrador?
• Classification for Salaries
• Teacher Certification Upgrading
• Options for Teacher Certification Upgrading
• Employment
• Questions

Minimum Requirements for Initial Certification

1. An applicant requesting certification must hold an approved education degree from Memorial University or the equivalent as determined by the Registrar of Teacher Certification.
2. Generally, the minimum academic/professional requirements for a teacher certificate include a four-year academic degree (beyond Newfoundland and Labrador Grade 12) with a major in a teachable subject area, plus a one-year or two-year education degree. However, a four or five-year education degree with a concentration in primary, elementary, or secondary education may also be accepted.

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How to Apply for Initial Teaching Certification

To evaluate your request for a teaching certificate, the following documents must be sent to the address provided at the end of this notice.

1. A completed application form .
2. A photocopy of proof of Canadian citizenship, such as a Canadian birth certificate, passport, or Canadian citizenship certificate or card.
3. Complete and return with your application the Confidential Disclosure and Criminal Record Check form .
4. An official Statement of Professional Standing from all provinces, states or countries where you hold or held a teaching certificate. This statement must be sent directly from the issuing authority to this office.
5. Official transcripts sent directly from the university or universities where studies were completed. Also, transcripts must show conferral of your degree(s). Student copies or unofficial transcripts are not accepted.
6. A certified cheque or money order made payable to the Newfoundland Exchequer Account or credit card payment, to cover the evaluation fee. See the fee schedule , and instructions.
7. Official statements of teaching service, on the forms provided by this office, must be completed by your previous employer(s) and returned directly to this office by that employer.
   • Statement of Teaching Service (K-12)
   • Statement of Post-Secondary Teaching Service
8. A statement of professional competency (reference letter) from your school principal or superintendent, if you have prior teaching experience.
9. If you have changed your name, a photocopy of the official document authorizing your change of name.

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Must I be a Resident of Newfoundland and Labrador?

Canadian citizens holding teacher certification in another jurisdiction may apply to receive teacher certification in Newfoundland and Labrador. Residency is not required. Applicants who are not Canadian citizens must submit proof of a valid work permit for Canada and a valid Social Insurance Number.”

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Classification for Salaries

Salary classification is determined on a salary grid according to the certificate level awarded, level 4, 5, 6, or 7 and the years of teaching experience recognized under provisions of the teachers' collective agreements.

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Teacher Certification Upgrading

All studies beyond those completed for your initial certification must have PRIOR written approval from the Registrar of Teacher Certification. Direct your inquiries to the registrar of teacher certification well in advance of your plans to begin an additional program of study. Since the options and requirements may change over time it is essential that you consult with the registrar of teacher certification to have your plans for certification up-grading approved in advance of any course/program registration.

Teachers who are applying for a higher classification of teaching certificate must:

• Complete the Application
• Pay the required fee as per the Fee Schedule
• Request from the university(s) where the upgrading program was completed, that an official transcript be sent directly to the Registrar of Teachers at the address on the certification application form.
• Request from the university attended, an official letter stating the date of completion of the Master's degree, if such a program was completed and is being submitted for the current application. This letter must be sent by the Registrar's Office or by the Office of Graduate Studies directly to the Registrar or Teachers at the address on the certification application form.

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Options for Teacher Certification Upgrading

CERTIFICATE LEVEL V:

Completion of any of the following Memorial University programs will satisfy the requirements for certification at level V:

• B.Ed. (Primary/Elementary)
• B.Ed. (Native and Northern)
• B.Ed. (Intermediate and Secondary) following a 4-year first degree
• B.Mus.Ed. following a 4-year first degree

CERTIFICATE LEVEL VI:

Option 1:

Complete another degree, diploma, or certificate program of not less than 10 courses (30 credits) in length which has the prior approval of the Registrar of Teacher Certification. Programs such as a bachelor of arts, bachelor of special education, and the diploma in technology education are acceptable. Other programs offered through universities other than Memorial University are also acceptable if prior approval is given by teacher certification.

Option 2:

Complete an Integrated Program of Studies. This is a program that you structure for your own professional needs or interests. It consists of 15 additional undergraduate credits and 12 graduate credits. Your Integrated Program of Studies must be approved by the Registrar of Teacher Certification before you begin any of these studies. The following rules apply to these courses:

• the undergraduate courses must be completed at the 3000 level or above;
• the undergraduate courses must be completed in approved subject areas such as education or subject areas of the provincial curriculum;
• the graduate courses must be part of an approved master's degree program.

If you have completed the three semester B.Ed. (Intermediate/Secondary) at Memorial University you may not need to complete the 15 undergraduate credits listed above, to attain certificate level VI. Please check with the Registrar of Teacher Certification for verification before you begin further studies.

Option 3:

Complete the first 24 credits of study on an approved master's degree program. Approval must be obtained from the Registrar of Teacher Certification before you begin any of these studies.

CERTIFICATE LEVEL VII:

The requirements for up-grading to level VII will depend on the option chosen to obtain certificate level VI. If option 1 or 2 was chosen you need only complete the approved master's degree to attain level VII. If option 3 was used to complete certificate level VI, the full master's degree plus additional graduate study may be required to satisfy the requirements for certificate level VII. The additional study required will be determined by the Registrar of Teacher Certification upon review of the graduate program completed.

REMINDER:

All studies beyond those completed for your initial certification must have PRIOR written approval from the Registrar of Teacher Certification. Direct your inquiries to the Registrar of Teacher Certification well in advance of your plans to begin an additional program of study. Since the above requirements may change over time it is essential that you consult with the registrar of teacher certification to have your plans for certification up-grading approved in advance of any course/program registration.

All inquiries should be directed to:

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Employment

There is no central employment agency for teachers in Newfoundland and Labrador. You are advised to contact the school district offices for information regarding employment opportunities. Contact information for school districts is available here http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/schoolsdistricts/districts.html

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Questions

If you have any further questions regarding teacher certification in Newfoundland and Labrador, please contact:

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