Teacher Qualification Services

The Teacher Qualifications Service (TQS) staff evaluate your course work and official transcripts.  All public, Catholic and francophone school boards will set your salary based on your:

1. collective agreement;

2. years of teacher education; and 

3. years of teaching experience. 

Each employing school board pays teachers according to a salary grid. The salary grid is part of that board's collective agreement.

 

First TQS Review

TQS staff review your transcripts to determine your years of teacher education. Salary grids are part of all teachers' collective agreements. TQS staff use a set of governing principles to complete reviews. 

Public, separate, and francophone school boards use TQS reviews to determine teachers' pay. Some private schools also use TQS reviews.

Review the Principle for Evaluation document.

Who uses TQS?

  • Beginning teachers and teachers new to Alberta.
  • Teachers who have upgraded their university/college education.
  • Teachers needing advance advice on TQS credited courses or programs. 
  • Teachers wanting to question or appeal their TQS review.

How is the Teacher Qualifications Service administered?

A 1967 agreement gives the ATA responsibility to run the TQS. 

The Teacher Salary Qualifications Board (TSQB): 

  1. develops the policies and principles used in TQS reviews; 
  2. advises TQS staff about principles adopted;
  3. hears appeals about TQS reviews; and 
  4. writes Board bylaws. 

The TSQB has 10 members. Two members are from Alberta Education. Two members are from the Alberta School Boards Association. Three members are from the ATA. One ATA member serves as Chair. Each of the universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge appoint one member.

 

Who administers TQS for the ATA?

The ATA's own Teacher Qualifications Committee (TQC):

1. advises TQS staff;

2. hears first complaints about TQS reviews;

3. does research; and 

4. makes reports to the TSQB and to the ATA's Provincial Executive Council. 

 

How do I contact the Teacher Qualifications Service?

Hours of Operation:

September to June: 0800 to 1700. 

July to August: 0800 to 1630. 

Statutory holidays - Closed. 

Street Address: 

3rd Floor, 11010 142 Street NW

Edmonton, AB 

Mailing Address: 

Teacher Qualifications Service

Alberta Teachers' Association

11010 142 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5N 2R1. 

Email: tqs@ata.ab.ca.

Phone: 

780-447-9400 (Edmonton area) 

1-800-232-7208 (toll free)