Teaching Profession

Academic Professional Requirements

What are the academic and professional teacher education requirements to become certified in Nova Scotia?

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Before August 1, 2000

A person who, before August 1, 2000, held a valid teacher’s certificate issued by the teacher certification authorities in a district outside of Nova Scotia, may be assessed and awarded teacher certification in accordance with the regulations and standards in effect in Nova Scotia pre-August 1, 2000.  Following on from the above, the common entry level certificate is a Teacher’s Certificate Class 5 (TC5).  In this case you need:

  • an approved Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
  • one-half of the credit hours completed for the degree must be in a subject(s) taught in the Nova Scotia public schools
  • approved program of teacher education must include a minimum of 30 credit hours of professional study including a practicum from a recognized university. This program must result in a teacher certification in the district where it was completed

After July 31, 2000

A person who, after July 31, 2000, held a valid teacher’s certificate issued by the teacher certification authorities in a district outside of Nova Scotia or completed their training in Nova Scotia must satisfy the requirements for an Initial Teacher’s Certificate (ITC) which requires:

  • a minimum of 5 years of undergraduate education (equivalent to 150 Canadian credit hours) including
  • a minimum of 90 credit hours of approved undergraduate studies
  • a minimum of 60 credit hours of approved professional studies including a practicum

Applicants whose training took place outside of Nova Scotia and whose qualifications do not meet the requirements of a TC5 or ITC may be eligible for a Conditional Initial Teacher’s Certificate.

A Conditional Initial Teacher’s Certificate

Conditional Initial Teacher’s Certificate may be issued by the Registrar to a person who:

  • has not previously been issued a teacher’s certificate by the Registrar
  • does not satisfy the requirements for an ITC
  • has completed a minimum of 4 years of undergraduate education (equivalent to 120 Canadian credit hours) including an approved Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university; an approved program of professional studies, completed in another district consisting of a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work, including a practicum
  • Conditional certificates are valid for a period of 5 years from the time of certification. In that time, conditional certificate holders are required to complete any outstanding academic and professional level coursework as prescribed by the Office of Teacher Certification to fulfill the requirements for the ITC.

If you have questions, contact the Office of Teacher Certification here. (Read More 1)

Reflection

Do you meet the requirements for a Conditional Initial Teacher’s Certificate?

If you are not sure, and have questions, contact the department here.

What level of English or French do I need to work as a teacher in Nova Scotia?

Teachers in Nova Scotia are expected to be fluent in English or French. Teacher Certification Regulations state: “The Registrar may require that an applicant for a teacher’s certificate provide evidence of the type and the form required by the Registrar of their proficiency in the English language or French language to meet the requirements of the Department.”

Advice

Take a Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLBPT) or International English Language Testing System – Academic (IELTS) to provide proof of your language level if required.

If you do not have the level of proficiency required, enrol in an online or face-to-face language course at ISANS. (See Section 8 for Supports & Resources)

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    Read More 1:Office of Teacher Certification

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