Graduate Degree Frequently Asked Questions

General Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I have lost my TQS card. How do I get another one?

A. To replace a lost TQS card, simply fax or mail a signed request (or application form) along with proof of public school employment. Please be sure to provide your full legal name and your current mailing address. Your new TQS card will be mailed to you within two weeks provided all of the information (eg: name, teaching certificate and credentials) on your TQS card is current.

Q. My name has changed. How do I change my TQS card?

A. In order to change the name on your TQS records and issue a new TQS card, we require a signed request (or application form), proof that you are employed in the BC public school system, and a clear photocopy of your name change document (eg: marriage certificate, birth certificate etc.). Please be sure to provide your full name, your former name and your current mailing address. Your new TQS card should be mailed to you within two weeks provided all of the information on your TQS card (eg: teaching certificate and credentials) is current.

Q. My BCCT certificate has changed. How do I change my TQS card?

A. In order to update your TQS card to indicate a revision in your teaching certificate, you need to submit a written request (or application form) along with proof of public school employment in a public school district and a clear photocopy of your updated/revised teaching certificate. Please be sure to provide your full legal name and your current home mailing address. Your revised TQS card should be mailed to you within two weeks provided all of the information on your TQS card (eg: teaching certificate and credentials) is current.

Q. My restriction has been removed from my BCCT teaching certificate. How do I change my TQS card?

A. In order to update your TQS card to indicate a revision in your teaching certificate, you need to submit a written request (or application form) along with proof of public school employment in a public school district and a clear photocopy of your updated/revised teaching certificate. Please be sure to provide your full legal name and your current home mailing address. Your revised TQS card should be mailed to you within two weeks provided all of the information on your TQS card (eg: teaching certificate and credentials) is current.

Q. I have completed my first degree and am upgrading from a Standard to a Professional Teaching certificate. How do I upgrade my TQS category?

A. Upon completion of a degree acceptable to the BC College of Teachers, you may upgrade your BCCT certificate from Standard, or Developmental Standard Term, to Professional certificate. Based on the completion of your degree (as evidenced by Professional certification), you are likely eligible for an upgrade in your TQS category. In order to upgrade your TQS category  you must submit an application form along with proof of public school employment. We will also require official university transcript showing completion of your degree and a copy of your updated Professional teaching certificate from the BCCT.

Q.  I have a Professional teaching certificate from the BC College of Teachers.  Why am I not TQS category five? 

A. TQS Regulation 2.01 category five (5) and TQS Regulation 6.01 explain the requirements for category five (5) (see TQS Regulations on this web site).

Q. The BC College of Teachers has awarded me a Standard Certificate and I have a four-year degree.  How can I upgrade to TQS category five (5)?

A. TQS Regulation 2.01 category five (5) explains the requirements for category five (5) (see TQS Regulations on this web site).

Q. How can I find out if my Integrated Program courses are acceptable to the TQS for a category upgrade?

A. Please see menu item “Upgrading a TQS category” on this web site.

Q. I have finished my fifth year. How do I apply for an upgrade?

A. In order to upgrade your TQS category based on the completion of an acceptable fifth year of studies or Integrated Program, please submit an application form along with proof of public school employment and official university transcripts showing completion of all of your fifth year course work.

Q. How do I apply for category five plus (five plus 15)?

A. Category "five plus" is a category between TQS category five (5) and six (6) offered by some school districts. Do not apply to the TQS for category five plus, apply directly to your school district.

Q. I have finished my graduate degree. How do I upgrade?

A. In order to upgrade your TQS category based on the completion of an acceptable graduate degree, you must submit an application form along with proof of public school employment and an official transcript from the university indicating completion of your graduate degree.

If a transcript with a degree statement is not yet available, we will accept an official transcript showing all course credit for your graduate degree is complete and an official letter from the university indicating that you have met all your degree requirements, the date your requirements were met, and the date your degree will be awarded.

Q. Are there any deadlines for submitting an application to TQS?

A. Please see TQS Regulation 7.06 and  7.07 regarding TQS effective dates.

Q. When does the TQS process evaluations?

A The TQS processes evaluations year-round.

Q. How long does it take to get a TQS category card?

A The average processing time for a complete file within the TQS office is two weeks from the receipt of the last required document to the time a TQS card is mailed.

Q. What is the Fee?

A. Funding for the Teacher Qualification Service is provided by the British Columbia Teachers' Federation and British Columbia School Trustees Association. You will not be charged for a TQS card.

If you would like your official transcripts returned, there is a five dollar ($5.00) Shipping and Handling charge. This should be submitted to the TQS in the form of a ‘Postal Money Order’ available at any Canada Post service outlet. Do not send a personal cheque. Please be sure to clearly state that you would like your documents returned to you. One-of-a-kind documents will be returned by registered mail. All other transcripts will be returned by regular mail unless requested otherwise.

Q. I have a graduate degree. Why am I not TQS category six?

A. A graduate degree does not equate to category six (6). Please see TQS Regulation 2.01 for the special requirements for each TQS category.

Q. How can I find out if the graduate degree I want to take is acceptable for TQS categorization purposes?

A. Please submit (via mail or fax) a request to have the program you have selected approved.  You should include your full legal name and current home mailing address in addition to the name of the institution, an outline of the program including the number of credits required, and brief course/project descriptive information.  The TQS will advise you in writing of the status of the degree you have selected.

Q. What are the guidelines for graduate degree approval?

A. TQS Policy 5 sets out the requirements of an acceptable graduate degree.  Please see the policy section of this web site.

Q. Does the TQS have a list of approved graduate degrees?

A. The TQS does not maintain a list of approved graduate degrees.  The administrative overhead for maintaining a list of thousands of acceptable programs from all over the world is too great.  Also, the status of programs is continuously changing as new information comes to light.  We are able to research individual requests regarding programs.

Q. What can I do if I feel that TQS has made an error in assigning my category?

A. If you believe that an error may have been made in assigning your category, it is your responsibility to immediately initiate a review of the category assigned to you. The review and appeal process is explained in Section 8:00 of the TQS Regulations which may be obtained from this web site. Do not delay in submitting your request for a review as any resulting revision to your category card is based on the date your request is received by TQS, not the date of any preceding evaluation.

Q. Do I need to quote a file number when contacting the TQS?

A. No, TQS clients are filed in the database by full legal name.  For this reason, it is very important to provide your exact legal name (and any previous names) on all correspondence so that your file may be accessed quickly and accurately.

Q. What is the difference between units, semester credits, and quarter credits?

A. Each of the following values represent one full year of study:

            Units            Semester  Credits            Quarter Credits

              15                            30                                     45

Printer Friendly