Commissioner for Teacher Regulation

Last updated on January 8, 2024

British Columbia Commissioner for Teacher Regulation


The Commissioner for Teacher Regulation is an independent statutory decision maker who is appointed for a five-year term under the Teachers Act.

It's the Commissioner's responsibility to oversee the discipline process for certified educators in B.C.  The Commissioner reviews the conduct and competence of educators in B.C. and helps enforce the standards for educators.

Addressing concerns about teacher competence and conduct in a way that's transparent, fair, and in the public interest.

Receive Complaints or Reports About Teacher Conduct & Competence

The Commissioner reviews all complaints from the public and reports from teachers, schools and school districts about teacher conduct or competence, The Commissioner does not decide if a person is guilty. The Commissioner can 

  • Investigate
  • Close a matter by not taking further action
  • Offer a consent resolution agreement
  • Order a hearing and appoint a hearing panel if the teacher declines the offer for a consent resolution agreement   

The Commissioner cannot ask a teacher to apologize, fire a teacher, or change the teacher in your child’s classroom.

 

Make a complaint (anyone)

Anyone can make a complaint about the conduct or competence of a teacher.

 

File a report (as a teacher, school or school board)

Certified teachers and school boards or independent schools have a duty to report misconduct or incompetence.

 


Make Rules and Procedures

The Commissioner makes rules and processes for resolving reports or complaints, investigations and hearings.

 

Commissioner's Rules

Rules are based on procedural fairness and help ensure the balance of public interest and a certificate holder’s right to due process.


Review Appeals Related to Teacher Certificates

The Commissioner reviews teacher certification appeals.

 

Teacher Certification Appeals

The Commissioner can review reconsideration decisions related to:

  • Being refused a teaching certificate
  • Being given a type of teaching certificate that is different than the one you applied for
  • Limitations or conditions on a teaching certificate
  • Having a teaching certificate rescinded

Make an appeal by submitting the Appeal of a Reconsideration Decision Form (PDF).

See the decisions made by a certification appeal hearing panel


Release Annual Reports

The Commissioner releases annual reports that include a statistical review of complaints, reports and investigations.

See also Discipline Outcomes and Statistics.

Contact information

Ask questions or get information. Do you have questions about the discipline process or making a complaint? Contact us from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.