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Overview
Alberta’s classrooms are growing in size and complexity. To help meet the demand for qualified teachers, the government is introducing 4 new expedited teaching certificates.
These certificates will provide faster, more flexible pathways into teaching while maintaining high professional standards.
Eligibility
The expedited certificates are available to:
- final-year Alberta Bachelor of Education students in Alberta (Developmental Teacher Certificate)
- internationally educated teachers eligible to work in Canada (Conditional Teacher Certificate)
- tradespeople (Interim Trade Teacher Certificate)
- other skilled professionals with relevant expertise (Interim Specialized Teacher Certificate)
Each pathway recognizes existing qualifications while ensuring participants are properly prepared to teach in Alberta classrooms.
Training requirements
All individuals applying for an expedited teaching certificate will be required to complete teacher preparation coursework before entering the classroom.
Applicants will also be required to complete mandatory training offered by the Office of the Registrar at Alberta Education and Childcare related to Alberta’s standard of professional competence and conduct for the teaching profession:
Developmental or Conditional Teacher Certificates
Eligible individuals will need to continue to complete their Bachelor of Education degree or equivalent coursework in Alberta as required by the Registrar at Alberta Education and Childcare, while practicing under these teaching certificates.
Interim Trade or Specialized Teacher Certificates
Through Targeted Enrolment Expansion funding, Advanced Education will invest over $1 million annually for 3 years to support up to 80 new seats each year in expedited teaching certification programming.
Eligible tradespeople and skilled professionals will be required to complete teacher preparation coursework, which will include a practicum, through an approved post-secondary institution. They may then apply for certification online.
Check this webpage for updates on required teacher preparation coursework for the Interim Trade and Specialized Teacher Certificate types.
School authorities can recommend permanent certification only after participants complete required coursework and demonstrate success in the classroom.
Teaching scope
Final-year Bachelor of Education students in Alberta will be eligible to teach kindergarten to Grade 12 under a Developmental Teacher Certificate.
Qualified internationally educated teachers will be eligible to teach kindergarten to Grade 12 under a Conditional Teacher Certificate.
Tradespeople and skilled professionals will be eligible to teach grades 7 to 12 in subject areas aligned with their expertise under an Interim Trade or Specialized Teacher Certificate.
Bursary support
Alberta Education and Childcare will provide a $2,000 bursary to support eligible participants enrolled in post-secondary teacher preparation programming for the:
- Interim Specialized Teacher Certificate
- Interim Trade Teacher Certificate
Up to 80 bursaries will be available in 2026-27 at $2,000 each, totaling $160,000 in bursary funding available.
More information about the bursary will be available in the coming weeks.
Funding
Budget 2026 includes a record $10.8 billion in education funding to help school boards:
- hire more teachers and educational assistants
- support growing classroom needs
This funding will allow hiring of more than 1,600 teachers and over 800 support staff in the 2026-27 school year.
Combined with expedited teaching certificates, these investments aim to recruit and retain qualified educators and ensure Alberta students have access to skilled teachers across the province.
Timing
Starting June 1, 2026, eligible individuals may apply for a Developmental or Conditional teaching certificate online. School authorities will be able to hire individuals with these teacher certificates in the 2026–27 school year.
Eligible tradespeople and skilled professionals may apply for certification online after completing required teacher preparation training, including a practicum, through an approved post-secondary institution.
More information about how to apply will be shared as it becomes available.