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Teaching Certificates

Please note that public school teaching certificates are issued by the Teacher Regulation Branch, who are a distinct and separate office to the TQS, and have their own application process.  The TQS does not share or forward transcripts to the TRB.

Post-Secondary Transcripts

All Post-Secondary transcripts must be original, official documents.  Unofficial transcripts, online printouts, Statement of Grades, photocopies, facsimiles, scans, etc. are not acceptable.  The TQS does not require transcripts to be sealed.  Transcripts may be mailed directly from the institution, mailed by the applicant, or sent electronically directly from the institution.

The TQS requires a transcript from all Post-Secondary institutions, including any course work transferred into a degree.

If you have completed a degree, the transcript must clearly state that the degree has been awarded and when it was awarded.  Otherwise, you must also supply a copy of the diploma or letter from your institution confirming that a degree has been awarded and its date.

Translations

Any documents submitted (transcripts and diplomas) not in English or French require original and official certified translations.

Rare Transcripts and One-of-a-Kind Documents

The TQS recognizes certain documents are difficult to obtain and may be one of a kind.  In such cases, please make use of Canada Post and courier services to submit official documentation.  The TQS recommends that rare, and one-of-a-kind documents only be submitted by Express Post or courier.  If you include a self-addressed Express Post envelope or if you provide a CAD$15.00 money order, your original documents will be returned by Express Post.  The TQS does not accept personal cheques or cash.

If you have one of kind documents that you wish to keep in your possession the TQS will accept Notarized copies of those documents.  The notarization must be done by a lawyer or notary public.  Each page of the documentation must be stamped separately and marked as copied from original.  The notarized copies must be recognizable as original and official and be submitted by postal mail or courier.

General information

1. All evaluations are made pursuant to policies currently in force and approved by the Teacher Qualification Board.  The Board is composed of representatives of the BC School Trustees Association and the BC Teachers' Federation.
2. A TQS category will be assigned only after the applicant has submitted their official transcripts and the most recent Teacher Regulation Branch (formerly BC College of Teachers) teaching certificate for which the applicant is qualified.  [Applications for a valid teaching certificate should be made to the Teacher Regulation Branch; 604.660.2355 / 1.888.356.2741.]
3. The onus for submitting the required documents rests with the applicant.  Categorizations will be based on the documents received and in accordance with the policies in force at the time the evaluation is made.
4. By policy, the Teacher Qualification Service assigns categories on the basis of the "completed program" approach as determined by standards applicable in British Columbia.  Categories are not necessarily determined on the basis of a simple count of course credits or time spent completing an acceptable program.
5. Categories are assigned effective January 1, May 1, or September 1.  Intermediate effective dates are not assigned.  Applicants who submit all supporting documents to the TQS office between June 30 and November 30, are assigned a category effective September 1 of that calendar year provided all work relative to the category is completed by August 31 (September 30 for graduate degrees).  Applications received between November 30 and March 31, are assigned a category effective the intervening January 1 provided all work is completed by December 31 (January 31 for graduate degrees).  Applications received between March 31 and June 30, are assigned a category effective May 1 of that calendar year provided all work is completed by April 30 (May 31 for graduate degrees).