Updated: October 24, 2025
Transitional Teaching Certificate Overview
The Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration allows Ontario teacher candidates to be employed as teachers while completing their initial teacher education program.
Key Information
- Up to 20 days of this paid teaching can count toward practicum requirements
- Valid for 18 months, with a possible one-time 6-month extension (if OCT membership is maintained/in good standing)
- Converts to a General Certificate once the OCT receives proof of program completion
Eligibility and Conditions
To be eligible to apply for a Transitional Certificate, a teacher candidate must meet the following criteria:
- Successful completion of all requirements for the their undergraduate degree
- Successful completion of year 1 of the Bachelor of Education program (semesters 1 and 2)
- Successful completion of a minimum of 40 days of practicum placement
Academic and Conduct Requirements
A teacher candidate will not be recommended to the OCT if they:
- Have obtained three (3) or more final grades below 60–62.9%, or one or more final grade(s) of 0-49.9%
- Have failed one or more practicum placement(s)
- Have unresolved conduct issues or investigations before the Professional Standards Committee, and/or
- Are currently the subject of a University of Windsor investigation regarding either academic or non-academic misconduct
Application Steps
The Teacher Candidate must:
1. Complete an *online application through the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT)
- Complete the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program
- Meet all OCT registration criteria and pay all required fees
*Technological Studies teacher candidates only apply for a multi-sessional transitional certificate
2. Send an email to tempcert@uwindsor.ca. The email must contain the following information:
- Full name and UWindsor student number
- 6-digit OCT number
- A request for a Faculty Report for transitional certificate recommendation to be sent to the OCT
3. Order an official transcript through the UWinsite Student platform (see: How do I get a copy of my Academic Transcript?).
The Office of the Registrar will upload your official electronic transcript directly to a secure OCT portal.
Specific instructions:
- Choose “Standard Mail”
Although this may seem unusual for an electronic transcript request, the Registrar’s Office confirms that this is the correct option.
Do not select “Mail by Courier” as it costs extra and is not required.
- Under, “Select Destination,” choose “Send to Address Provided Below.”
- In the address line, write: OCT Ref # [your 6-digit OCT#]
Example: OCT Ref # 000000
Do not enter the OCT’s mailing address (101 Bloor St…), email, or any other contact information in the address line.
Tip: Including your OCT number in the transcript request helps the OCT match your transcript to your application much faster.
Concurrent Education Students: Additional Application Steps
In addition to the aforementioned application steps, all Concurrent Education students must request a confirmation letter from the Office of the Registrar that confirms all undergraduate degree requirements are complete. The Concurrent Eduacation student must send an email to sustainment@uwindsor.ca, The email must contain the following information:
- Subject Line (of email): “OCT Transitional Certificate”
- Full name and UWindsor student number
- 6-digit OCT number
Note: A $15.00 fee applies. Please allow 1–2 weeks for processing.
Faculty of Education Responsibilities
The Faculty of Education must:
- Verify a teacher candidate's eligibility for a transitional certificate prior to official recommendation to the OCT
- Submit the Faculty Report (official recommendation) to the OCT on behalf of the teacher candidate
Teaching While Certified
In the Faculty of Education at the University of Windsor, the following shall apply:
- A teacher candidate who holds a valid transitional certificate may act as an emergency occasional teacher only within their assigned practicum school
- For Long-Term Occasional (LTO) positions at other schools (during or outside of the designated practicum placement location), the following shall apply:
- Both the Faculty of Education and the school board must agree and officially approve the assignment
- The teacher must candidate must provide a copy of their valid transitional certificate and full details of the teaching assignment to the Field Experience Office
- If the assignment is approved, the teacher candidate must keep a detailed record of LTO time/duties on an official form provided by the Field Experience Office
- Following completion of the scheduled placement block, the form must be signed by the school principal and submitted to the Field Experience Office for official record-keeping purposes
- The principal will formally evaluate the teacher candidate's in-classroom teaching practice through the completion of the Faculty of Education's summative assessment evaluation form
Reminder: Important Policies
- As per agreements between the Faculty of Education and its school board partners, all practicum placements are arranged by and through the Field Experience Office only
- Teacher candidates must meet division and subject area requirements prior to B. Ed. program completion in order to be recommended for a general Certificate of Qualification and Registration through the OCT
- The 20 days of paid teaching do not need to match division/subject area(s) to be counted toward practicum requirements
- Paid teaching during any scheduled B. Ed. classes or mandatory activities (e.g. the Professional Learning Series) is prohibited
- Violations of the Faculty of Education's policies, procedures, or program requirements may result in a teacher candidate being required to withdraw from the program
- Teaching (employment) without a valid certificate will not count toward practicum requirements