The Teacher Qualification Service evaluates teacher qualifications and assigns a category which in part determines a teacher's salary in the British Columbia Public School system. The category assigned is based solely on academic qualifications. Years of experience also determine salary, however,  acceptable experience is determined by the individual school district, not the TQS.

Once an evaluation of academic credentials is complete, the TQS issues a TQS category card to the applicant, not to the school district. It is the applicant's responsibility to show the card to an employing school district. The category is a number from 2 to 6. A teacher is paid according to this number as defined in the school district's collective agreement.

The TQS does not have the actual salary schedules for all the school districts in BC. Therefore, we cannot advise a teacher on how much his/her salary--- in terms of dollars and cents--- will be. This information should be obtained from the school district or the local teacher's association.

Category Requirements

Teacher Certification

TQS Category Card

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