Internationally educated teachers

Becoming a teacher in New Brunswick

In Canada, teaching is a regulated profession. To teach in New Brunswick, you need to hold an interim teacher’s certificate from EECD’s Office of Teacher Certification.

You must meet the following eligibility criteria to submit a request for interim certification:

  • You are a Canadian citizen, hold Canadian permanent resident status, or have a valid Canadian work visa. (A candidate who does not meet this criteria but meets all other certification requirements may receive an eligibility notice for an interim teacher’s certificate.)
  • You have successfully completed a university program of at least four years (equivalent to a 120 credit hours bachelor’s degree from a Canadian university, including a major (30 credit hours) in a teachable subject and 30 other credit hours in teachable subjects, or a combination of a major (24 credit hours) and minor (18 credit hours) in two teachable subjects and 18 credits in other teachable subjects).
  • You have completed an approved University Teacher Education Program (to teach in elementary or high school) from an approved institution (equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in education from a Canadian university) that includes a minimum of 30 credit hours in pedagogical training and 18 weeks of practice teaching. Please note that teaching experience does not replace university credit hours.
  • You are fluent in English or French.
  • Your authorization to teach has never been suspended or revoked.
  • You do not have a criminal record.

Interim teacher’s certificate

An interim teacher’s certificate is valid for a renewable period of four years. After a teacher has worked for two years (1 year = 195 days) under contract within the New Brunswick school system, the interim certificate may be converted to a permanent certificate. There are three interim teacher’s certificate levels (4, 5 and 6). A teacher’s certification level is determined by the number of years of study and by which university program(s) have been completed.

Quick links

First steps

New Brunswick’s immigration program streams

Living in NB

Useful information about living in New Brunswick