Teacher Regulation Branch (K-12 Educators)

The Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB) is the branch of the Ministry of Education that administers professional regulation for over 68,000 certified educators in BC. The TRB, created as part of the implementation of the Teachers Act, works within a legislative mandate to ensure that educators in the K-12 school systems meet and maintain the high standards of competence and conduct required to foster public trust and confidence in the teaching profession.

As the operational arm of the regulatory structure, the TRB provides administrative support to the Commissioner for Teacher Regulation, the BC Teachers' Council and the Disciplinary and Professional Conduct Board. The work of the Branch includes: assessing applicants for certification; issuing teaching certificates; evaluating teacher education program; and enforcing standards for certified educators.

The Teachers Act sets out the discipline process for educators and creates a system where reports and complaints can be received by the Commissioner for Teacher Regulation concerning the conduct or competence of those holding Ministry-issued teaching certificates or letters of permission. The Commissioner, an independent role, oversees all discipline processes and considers certification appeals and is responsible for reviewing the information gathered and deciding which process is appropriate to address a complaint or report. The Commissioner is committed to ensuring that concerns about the competence and conduct of BC certified educators are addressed fairly, expeditiously and in the public interest.

Following the preliminary review of a complaint or report, the Commissioner may decide to take no further action and provide reasons for this decision; initiate an investigation; make or accept a proposal for a consent resolution agreement; or issue a citation, which would lead to a disciplinary hearing. In any case, whether it is resolved through a disciplinary hearing or the consent resolution process, if the educator is found to have breached the professional standards, possible sanctions may include a reprimand; suspension; placing limits or conditions on; or cancellation of a certificate.

For more information, visit the TRB website.

Responsibilities of the TRB were formerly held by the BC College of Teachers, which existed from 1988 to 2012.