Welcome to the Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB), the operational arm of British Columbia’s teacher regulation system, dedicated to upholding the integrity and professionalism of educators across the province. As part of the Ministry of Education and Child Care, our mission is to ensure that educators meet and maintain the high standards expected in B.C.’s education system.
Our Role
The TRB provides essential administrative support to several key regulatory bodies established under the Teachers Act, including:
- British Columbia Teachers’ Council (BCTC): This council sets the standards for educator certification, teacher education programs, and professional conduct.
- Independent School Teaching Certificate Standards Committee (ISTCSC): Responsible for establishing standards for independent school teaching certificates.
- Commissioner for Teacher Regulation: An independent statutory decision-maker overseeing the discipline process, reviewing reports and complaints about educator conduct or competence.
- Disciplinary and Professional Conduct Board: Comprised of BCTC members, this board forms panels to conduct disciplinary hearings.
- Director of Certification: Utilizes standards set by the BCTC and ISTCSC to issue teaching certificates and letters of permission.
Our Responsibilities
At the TRB, we are committed to:
- Teacher Certification: Assessing applicants for certification, including classroom teachers, principals, vice-principals, directors, and superintendents in public and independent K-12 school systems.
- Standards Enforcement: Ensuring that educators adhere to established standards of education, competence, and professional conduct.
- Teacher Education Program Approval: Evaluating and approving post-secondary teacher education programs to maintain quality and relevance in educator preparation.
- Discipline Process Oversight: Supporting the Commissioner for Teacher Regulation in overseeing the discipline process, including reviewing and addressing reports and complaints regarding educator conduct or competence.
Our Commitment
We are dedicated to protecting the public interest by ensuring that educators in British Columbia meet rigorous professional standards. Through our collaborative efforts with various regulatory bodies, we strive to maintain public trust and confidence in the province’s education system.