Distinguish between a degree and certification
A degree attests to the completion of a program of study. Certification, sometimes called a licence or teaching certificate, authorizes a person to teach in public schools. It is issued by an authority that varies by jurisdiction: a professional regulatory body, a ministry or a state board of education.
In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) specifies that all states require public school teachers to hold a licence or certification for the grade level they teach. Private school teachers generally do not need a licence. Requirements vary by state but generally include a bachelor's degree, a teaching practicum, a background check and passing both a general test and a subject knowledge test.
In other words, a foreign degree alone does not provide access to public school teaching. Teachers must meet the requirements of the local authority, which may require additional courses, tests or a practicum.
Read Ontario's rules
The Ontario College of Teachers states that certification requires three elements: a postsecondary degree of at least three years from a recognized institution, a four-semester teacher education program, and payment of the application fee and annual membership fee. Ontario's public schools require teachers to be certified by the College.
For people trained outside Ontario in a language other than English or French, the College requires proof of language proficiency and translated documents. It holds information sessions on registration, language tests and credential assessment.
An application is valid for one year. If documents are missing at the deadline, the applicant must submit a new application, pay new fees and meet the requirements in effect at that time. The stated decision timeline is 60 days for internationally trained teachers.
Summarize the requirements in a table
The following table reproduces the published requirements. It does not cover every country, and rules change.
| Jurisdiction | Main requirement | Specific provisions for foreign-trained graduates |
|---|---|---|
| United States (public schools) | State licence, bachelor's degree, teaching practicum, tests | Alternative certification pathways exist for bachelor's degree holders who have not taken education courses |
| Ontario (publicly funded schools) | College certification, three-year degree, four-semester program | Proof of language proficiency and translated documents; decision within 60 days for internationally trained teachers |
These two rows illustrate a principle: consult the regulatory body in the target jurisdiction for the rules, rather than rankings or general articles. The same research is necessary for any other country. Before committing to a program of study, it is useful to obtain written confirmation on three points:
- Is the intended undergraduate degree accepted as a basis for teacher education?
- Does the subject to be taught correspond to a recognized need in the region?
- Do the authority's decision timelines allow enough time to start at the beginning of the intended school year?
Read the American employment outlook
For high school teachers, the BLS projects 0% growth between 2025 and 2035, representing a loss of approximately 2,500 jobs, with a median salary of US$72,040 in May 2025. For kindergarten and elementary school teachers, projected growth is also 0%, with a loss of approximately 6,100 jobs and a median salary of US$63,820.
Zero growth does not mean there are no vacancies. Teachers leave the profession, retire or change positions, and these departures create openings. However, the figures indicate that total employment is not expected to increase, limiting the scope for net hiring.
For special education teachers, the BLS also projects 0% growth over the same period, with a decline of approximately 300 jobs and a median salary of US$67,170 in May 2025.
These American data do not apply to other countries. Above all, they show that demand varies by grade level and subject, and depends on school demographics and public budgets. Mathematics, science and special education often experience shortages, but the sources consulted do not quantify them.
Compare alternative and traditional pathways
The BLS states that all states offer alternative certification pathways for people who have a bachelor's degree but have not taken education courses. These pathways allow them to teach while completing the required training.
The traditional pathway involves a university teacher education program with a supervised practicum. It generally provides more direct access to certification, but requires time before entering the classroom. The alternative pathway allows people to begin teaching sooner, with support that varies by program.
For an international student, the question is whether the authority accepts their undergraduate degree as a basis for an alternative pathway, and which additional courses are required. The sources consulted do not publish statistics on success in these pathways.
Consider private and international schools
Some teaching takes place outside public schools: private schools, international schools, language programs and distance education. The BLS notes that private school teachers generally do not need a state licence in the United States.
International schools often recruit globally, with their own requirements: a university degree, certification in a recognized country, experience and a specific curriculum. Contracts, salaries and social protections vary considerably, and the sources consulted do not provide comparable figures.
It is useful to request the precise terms in writing before accepting an offer: contract length, housing, health insurance, return flight, work permit and renewal options. These factors matter as much as the advertised salary.
Plan ahead for language requirements and degree recognition
Teaching requires a strong command of the language of instruction. Certification authorities therefore require proof of language proficiency through recognized tests. The Ontario College of Teachers specifies that it applies its language requirements to people trained in a language other than English or French.
Degree recognition is another step. It may involve an assessment of studies, a requirement to take additional courses or a practicum. Timelines vary, and assessment and translation fees can amount to several hundred dollars, depending on the organizations involved.
For planning purposes, it is prudent to allow several months between arrival in the country and a first assignment as a certified teacher, and to plan for income during that period. The Ontario College of Teachers, for example, indicates a decision within 60 days for internationally trained teachers once the application is complete: the actual timeline therefore begins when the final documents are received, not when the application is submitted.
What about Canada?
In Canada, teacher certification is a provincial responsibility. In Ontario, the College of Teachers sets out the requirements cited above. Other provinces have their own authorities and requirements: certification obtained in one province is not automatically valid in another, although mobility agreements exist.
StudyCanada features teacher education programs at Université de Montréal, McGill University, The University of British Columbia and the University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa (Bachelor of Education, offered in French), among others. The program pages specify admission requirements for international students and the practicums included. In Quebec, teaching certification is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, whose requirements could not be consulted for this article and must be read on its website.