Overview
A Teacher-on-call, often referred to as a TOC, is a casual or substitute public school teacher of various subjects from Kindergarten to grade 12. Most TOC’s in BC are certified by the Ministry of Education’s Teacher Regulation Branch; however, in some districts where recruitment of TOC’s is more challenging (rural districts), non-certificated people may be are hired.
In many urban districts, being a TOC is the “entry way” into securing a more permanent position. Often permanent teaching positions are filled from the districts’ TOC list. Being a TOC is a great way to experience different classroom environments and within flexible work schedule.
In BC, the salary provisions allow TOC’s to receive “on scale” pay any time they work four consecutive days.
Certification and Qualification Details
All teachers in BC Education must be certified to teach with the Teacher Regulation Branch. In some cases when a certified teacher is not able to be hired, a letter of permission may be obtained. These letters of permission allow an individual to teach within the system for up to one year at a time without their certification.
TOC Salary
Teachers on Call (TOC’s) effective July 1, 2008 are paid a daily rate of $206.60 for each day worked. On the fourth consecutive and subsequent consecutive days worked in an assignment a TOC will be paid on the salary scale at 1/189 of their category classification and experience. Below are the ‘on scale’ rates a TOC would earn after four consecutive and subsequent consecutive days based on 1/189 of the TQS average minimum and maximum salary ranges above. The following salary ranges are based on data from July 1, 2008.
| TQS Level | Average Daily Salary Ranges |
| 4 | Min: $220.94 - Max: $334.88 |
| 5 | Min: $240.19 - Max: $379.82 |
| 5+ | Min: $256.86 - Max: $407.05 |
| 6 | Min: $262.63 - Max: $415.96 |
Remote and Rural Allowance
There are some additional allowances paid to some teachers in certain districts. In many districts allowances are paid to teachers who hold positions of special responsibility such as a department head, head teacher, teacher in charge, or teacher coordinator.
In addition teachers in some districts are paid a remote and rural allowance to aid in the recruiting efforts of districts in remote communities and to recognize the difficulty of working in a remote community. The allowance is of $2,300 per FTE annually. Teachers on call (TOCs) are not eligible to receive this allowance.
To view districts’ individual salary grids, check out the Salary Finder tool.
Training and Educational Programs
Programs in British Columbia:
