Outside BC Applicant With Valid Certification Holder: Transfer ECE Certification to BC in Canada

• Certification levels from province to province chart
• Recognized Program

If you hold valid certification (registration) as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) in another Canadian province or territory, you may be eligible to transfer it to B.C.

Review the Certification levels from province to province chart to find out what B.C. certification you may be eligible for.

Last updated: June 27, 2022

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On this page:

• • Prepare your application
  • Complete and submit your application
  • After you apply

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Prepare your application

Determine your certificate type

Find out what type of certificate you may be eligible for in B.C. by reviewing the Certification Levels from Province to Province Chart.

Not all provinces have certification that can be transferred to B.C. If your province is not listed in the chart, find your ECE application pathway or explore your education options.

Find your application pathway

Where did you complete your education?

Pathway 1: Inside B.C.

• I completed my education in BC at a program that is recognized by the ECE Registry
• I completed my education in BC at a program that is not recognized by the ECE Registry
• Check if your program is recognized by the ECE Registry

Pathway 2: Outside B.C. (In Another Canadian Province or Territory)

• I completed my education in Canada
• I hold ECE certification or registration in another Canadian province or territory

Pathway 3: Outside of Canada (International)

• I completed my education in another country
• I completed my education in another country and I hold ECE certification or registration in another Canadian province or territory

If you completed your education at multiple educational institutions, your application process may be a combination of multiple pathways. Contact the ECE Registry for more information.

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Explore your education options

If you don’t meet education requirements and you are not certified in another Canadian province/territory, explore the options below.

• Complete a recognized program
  • Find a recognized early childhood education program that meet the requirements for ECE certification in B.C.
• Complete a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition program
  • If you have ECE work experience but do not have an educational credential, contact an early childhood education program that is recognized by the ECE Registry to discuss whether a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is an option for you
  • PLAR does an assessment of your life and work experience and may transfer it into academic credit

If you have completed one course that meets the requirements, you may be eligible to apply for an ECE Assistant Certificate so you can work as an ECE Assistant while you are completing the academic requirements to achieve full certification.

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Review your current certification

• You will need your certification number from the Canadian province or territory you are transferring from to complete your application (if applicable)
• The ECE Registry will contact the regulatory body you hold certification with to verify the status of your current certification

If you are certified in Manitoba or the Yukon, you will be contacted by the ECE Registry for additional consent information

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Obtain a character reference

Your character reference must be someone who:

• Can speak to your character and has known you for at least 6 months
• Can speak to your ability to educate and care for young children
• Is not a relative, partner, spouse, or yourself
• Is not the same person you provide as your 500 hour work experience reference (if applicable)

It is recommended that your reference is a certified ECE who has directly observed you working with young children. Your Character Reference form must be completed and signed by your reference within 12 months of your application document submission.

• Ask your character reference to send your completed Character Reference form directly to the ECE Registry

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Gather your identification documents (ID)

Submit a copy of one piece of primary ID and one piece of secondary ID from the table below.

• Your ID must be valid and government-issued
• ID that is not in English must be professionally translated
  • A copy of the original ID and the translated copy must be authenticated by the translator and submitted directly to the ECE Registry
• Do not submit original identity documents (for example, birth certificate or passport)

Acceptable ID 

Primary ID

Secondary ID

Driver’s licence or learner’s licence issued by a Canadian province or territory B.C. identification card (BCID) B.C. Services Card Canadian birth certificate Canadian or foreign passport Canadian citizenship card Canadian permanent resident card Canadian record of landing/Canadian immigration identification record Indian status card

Driver’s licence or learner’s licence issued by a Canadian province or territory B.C. identification card B.C. Services Card Canadian birth certificate Canadian or foreign passport Canadian citizenship card Canadian permanent resident card Canadian record of landing/Canadian immigration identification record Indian status card Health or services card from another Canadian province or territory Foreign birth certificate (a baptismal certificate is not acceptable) Photograph identity card issued by a foreign national or regional government

If you cannot provide any of the documents listed on the ID table, contact the ECE Registry:

ECE Registry Contact information​ 
Phone: Victoria: 250-356-6501 Toll-free: 1-888 338-6622
Email: ECERegistry@gov.bc.ca
Mail: PO Box 9961 STN PROV GOVT, Victoria, BC V8W 9R4