New National Program Eases Path for Internationally Trained Teachers to Work in Canada

A new initiative promises to make it easier for internationally educated teachers to bring their skills to Canadian classrooms. Launched in November 2024, Pathways to Teach Canada, in partnership with World Education Services (WES), aims to streamline the often complex process of becoming a certified teacher in Canada.

While Canada’s education sector has become a top-priority immigration category in 2025, the certification process remains a barrier for many qualified international professionals. Teaching in Canada is a regulated profession, and each province and territory has its own criteria for licensing. Foreign-trained teachers are often required to undergo assessments to validate their credentials and language proficiency.

Simplifying the Process for International Educators

Pathways to Teach Canada serves as a centralized entry point for internationally trained teachers seeking certification in select Canadian provinces and territories. Currently, the program supports applicants in:

• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Prince Edward Island (PEI)
• Saskatchewan

Although Ontario conducts its own credential assessments through the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), internationally educated teachers may still benefit from Pathways to Teach Canada by using its Language Competency Assessment for the Teaching Profession (LCATP)—one of the OCT’s approved language proficiency tests.

Applicants hoping to teach in Alberta, Quebec, or the Yukon will need to apply directly through those jurisdictions’ regulatory authorities.

What the Program Offers

Through a unified online portal, applicants can complete both credential and language assessments. Once registered, individuals are redirected to the WES platform to initiate their credential evaluation, where they submit relevant documents for verification.

Applicants can also register for the LCATP, which is required by many provinces and is scheduled through the Pathways portal.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the program, candidates must:

• Have completed a formal teacher education program
• Be trained in an academic subject area such as math, science, or language arts
• Not have been previously certified as a teacher in any Canadian province or territory

Different fees apply depending on the services requested. The required documentation varies based on the applicant’s country of education and the issuing institution.

Steps After Assessment

Once assessments are completed, applicants can submit their results through the Pathways portal to the regulatory body of the province or territory where they wish to teach. Final certification must then be applied for directly through the province or territory’s official certification body.

Applicants can submit their credentials to multiple jurisdictions, although additional fees may be incurred.

Note: Pathways to Teach Canada facilitates the process but does not issue teaching licenses.

Additional Requirements for Certification

Beyond academic credentials and language proficiency, most provinces require character verification, which can include police clearance certificates and academic records. Some provinces, such as British Columbia, also mandate completion of a familiarization course for those trained outside Canada.

Teachers hoping to work in Catholic school systems may face additional requirements, including proof of baptism, confirmation, and a reference letter from a Catholic priest.

New Opportunities Through Express Entry: Education Stream

The federal government introduced education as a high-demand occupation category under Express Entry in 2025, giving teachers a greater opportunity to gain permanent residence in Canada.

To qualify under this new immigration category, applicants must:

• Have at least six months of continuous, full-time work experience (or an equivalent in part-time) in a single occupation within the last three years
• Meet all additional criteria outlined in the official instructions

The first Education-specific Express Entry draw occurred on May 1, 2025, with 1,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence issued. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-off was 479, significantly lower than other categories, such as Canadian Experience Class (CEC), where cut-offs ranged from 521 to 547.

For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!