Office of Teacher Certification

The Office of Teacher Certification, with the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, is responsible for the following:

• Processing initial teacher certification applications
• Processing applications for increases in teacher classification
• Recording teaching service for certified teachers in Nova Scotia
• Providing a suite of administrative services for certified teachers
• Investigating matters of teacher misconduct

Please select one of the options from the menu on the left to access further information regarding our services.

certification@novascotia.ca 

Certification Inquiries & Application Submissions

Please submit all certification inquiries and application forms to certification @ novascotia.ca

The office appreciates the patience of members and educational partners as inquiries are being processed.

Documents required in support of applications can be accepted electronically if sent directly by the issuing body to certification @ novascotia.ca.  The exception is Criminal Record Checks which cannot be authenticated electronically. Documents submitted become the property of the Office of Teacher Certification and will not be returned to the applicant.

Coming Soon - New Online Portal!

The Office of Teacher Certification is committed to modernizing our operations so members of the teaching profession and educational partners can electronically submit documentation, inquiries, and applications. This new online Teacher Certification System will also allow educators access to the status of their own individual certification profiles through the web-based system. This portal is currently in development and is expected to be implemented in March 2023. This modernized system will transform the current practices and processes employed by the Office of Teacher Certification.

Special Certificate Applicants

We are pleased to inform you that the application to obtain a "Special Certificate" is now available and can be found under the "Forms and Fees" section of our webpage.  

Bridging Teacher Certificate Holders

On January 1, 2019, the Teacher Certification Regulations were amended to no longer issue Bridging Teacher Certificates.  Please see the "Information for Bridging Teacher Certificate (BTC) Holders" tab for more information.

The Office of Teacher Certification strives to ensure people receive appropriate and respectful service when communicating with our office. If you require additional accommodations please let us know how we can assist you.