BC Guide for Independent Schools

Teacher Certification

The following information outlines the criteria and processes required to apply for a teacher certificate issued by the Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools. This section is organized under the following headings:

New Information

 


Starting January 1, 2008, changes to the Criminal Records Review Act requires that the Inspector of Independent Schools must ensure that every individual who applies for or holds certification under the Independent School Act or who is specified in a Letter of Permission (LoP) undergo a Criminal Record Check (CRC).

Prior to issuing an Independent School teaching certificate or LoP, the Inspector must obtain a criminal record check authorization from the teacher certification applicant. If a determination is made that an applicant presents a risk and unless that determination is overturned, the inspector must review the individual's application for certification or proposed LoP and take appropriate action.

Group 1, 2, and 4 independent schools and offshore schools offering the British Columbia program are required to employ British Columbia-certified teachers. Certification to teach in British Columbia’s independent school system or in the BC Offshore Program can be achieved in two ways:

  1. through the British Columbia College of Teachers, or
  2. through the Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools.

Teacher certification issued through the British Columbia College of Teachers under the Teaching Profession Act is valid for British Columbia’s public schools, independent schools and offshore schools offering the British Columbia program. Teacher certificates issued through the British Columbia Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools under the Independent School Act are valid only for independent schools and offshore schools offering the British Columbia program.

The Inspector has the discretion to refuse the issuing of certification (Independent School Act, section 5 (2) (d)), or may suspend or revoke a British Columbia Independent School teacher certification for cause (Independent School Act, section 5 (3)).