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Discipline Process: Hearing

Last updated on June 27, 2025

The Commissioner for Teacher Regulation reviews reports and complaints about the conduct or competence of teachers. The Commissioner decides what process is appropriate to address a complaint or report. The Commissioner also reviews appeals of reconsideration decisions made by the Director of Certification related to the status of a teaching certificate. After either review, the Commissioner may refer the matter to a hearing. 

What is a citation for a hearing?

A citation is a public document issued by the Commissioner for Teacher Regulation. It lists the charges against the teacher who will be the subject of a disciplinary hearing. Charges in a citation are unproven until a hearing panel has reached a final decision. If a citation is issued, the person who made the complaint or report is notified.

When a certification appeal is received, the Commissioner can refer it to a panel for a hearing. A citation is not issued. 

What is a hearing?

A hearing is like a court proceeding. In a discipline matter, a hearing is an opportunity for a disciplinary hearing panel to hear evidence and testimony relevant to the changes against a teacher. Charges in a citation are unproven until a disciplinary hearing panel has determined their validity.

Disciplinary hearings are open to the public unless that would cause a significant hardship to a person who was harmed by the teacher. Disciplinary hearings may take place by videoconference, in person or in writing.

The teacher who is the subject of the hearing is expected to attend. However, if the teacher does not attend, the hearing panel can still proceed with the hearing. 

In a certification appeal, a hearing is an opportunity for a panel to decide whether a person who applied for a teaching certificate meets the requirements to be issued a certificate. Certification appeal hearings are not open to the public.

What happens before a hearing begins?

Pre-hearing conference 

The Commissioner may hold a pre-hearing conference to ensure that all procedures have been considered and that the matter is ready for the hearing. The Commissioner will decide if the hearing should be conducted verbally or in writing, set the date, decide on the location if the hearing will be an oral hearing, and appoint a three-member panel for the hearing.

Appointment of a hearing panel 

The Commissioner pulls panelists from the Disciplinary and Professional Conduct Board and may also appoint members of the public to sit on hearing panels as appropriate. The outcome of a hearing is determined by a three-member hearing panel.

Scheduling of the hearing

The date and location of a hearing are determined. For disciplinary hearings, the date and location are posted publicly on the hearing schedule in advance.

How do I attend a hearing?

If you want to attend a disciplinary hearing:

In special cases, the disciplinary hearing panel can exclude the public from all or part of a hearing. This is because some information that will be shared at the hearing may cause harm to someone. In some cases, the Commissioner may decide that the hearing will occur through written submissions instead of as a public hearing.

Remember to check the hearing schedule for updates before attending a hearing – right up to the start of the hearing. Dates and times can change, or the hearing may be cancelled. Unless otherwise indicated, all public hearings are held between 9:30am and 4:00pm.

What should I know to prepare for a hearing?

A hearing can be held by videoconference, in person or in writing. 

In-person hearings

If you attend a hearing in person, and you do not comply with the following requirements, we may ask you to leave the hearing.   

  • Reserve your seat. Observer seating is limited for in-person hearings. The number of available seats depends on the location of the hearing
  • Sign in with the hearing coordinator when you arrive at an in-person hearing. You will not be allowed to enter a hearing once the proceeding has begun
  • Wear appropriate clothing for a business-like event to show respect for the hearing process
  • Avoid bringing food into the hearing room
  • Avoid talking during the proceedings  
  • Leave the hearing room during all breaks
  • Sign out at the end of each day. If you were issued a visitor pass, return it to the hearing coordinator
  • Abide by privacy and confidentiality. If the hearing panel chooses to make all or part of any hearing private, all observers will be asked to leave the hearing. Anyone attending a hearing must not disclose or reveal the identity of any witness or the names of anyone that appears in evidence who is under the age of 19
  • Follow the rules for electronic devices. The chair of the hearing panel has the authority to change the rules about using electronic devices during the hearing. You can attend a hearing with any device that can transmit and/or record data or audio (i.e., smartphones, cellular phones, computers, laptops, tablets, notebooks, personal digital assistants). However, you must follow these rules:
  • The device cannot interfere with the hearing's sound system or other technology
  • The device cannot interfere with hearing decorum or impede the administration of justice
  • The device cannot make noise or require speaking  
  • You cannot take photographs or videos. You cannot use any software or digital tools to record or take screenshots during any aspect of the proceeding
  • You cannot record or digitally transcribe the proceedings, except accredited media who may use electronic devices to audio record a proceeding for the purpose of verifying their notes and for no other purpose
  • If you attend a videoconference hearing, you must close all other applications on your electronic device so that they do not interfere with the connectivity of the proceeding

Hearings by videoconference

If you attend a disciplinary hearing by videoconference and you do not comply with the following requirements, we may ask you to leave the hearing.

  • Reserve your seat, if you are an observer. Videoconference hearings are limited to a maximum of 10 observers
  • Give your email address and phone number to the hearing coordinator at least one week before the hearing. We will use your email address to send you instructions on how to use MS Teams and give you a link to join the MS Teams meeting. The phone number will be used in case of technical problems
  • Download the MS Teams app on either a laptop, smart phone, or tablet
  • Become familiar with MS Teams before the hearing
  • Use the link you are given for each session of the hearing that you will attend
  • Ensure that microphones and speakers are working prior to the start of the hearing
  • Join the videoconference at least 15 minutes before the start of the hearing so that any technical issues can be addressed in a timely manner
  • If you have questions or technical issues, contact the hearing coordinator

If you are a witness and you attend a videoconference hearing, you must: 

  • Ensure that microphones and speakers are working prior to the start of the hearing or the start of the portion of the hearing where you will be participating
  • Use the link you are given for each session of the hearing in which you will participate. If you are provided with an MS Teams link, you must not share it with anyone else
  • Sit at a desk or table that has nothing on it except the exhibits or copies of documents that have been allowed by the hearing panel
  • Be ready to show the hearing panel any copies of documents you have
  • Give evidence from a quiet place and avoid having any background noise (i.e., TV or music)
  • Be clearly visible, face the camera and speak directly and clearly into the microphone
  • Not use a virtual background and may be asked to use your camera to show the room where you are sitting
  • Be alone in the room, except as permitted by the hearing panel
  • Mute your microphone unless you are speaking, close other applications on computers (such as Twitter, Facebook and email), and put your phone on silent so that the hearing is not interrupted
  • Not record any part of the hearing. This is includes taking screen shots, recording conversations and using third-party software
  • Not operate your phone or other devices during the hearing
  • Not text, email or read messages while testifying
  • Not eat or drink anything but water while appearing at the hearing
  • Not get up for a break while giving evidence. If you need a break, please ask the hearing panel for one 
  • Wear appropriate clothing for a business-like event to show respect for the hearing process

What accommodation is available?

We want to offer a hearing process that makes participants feel safe and respected in a supportive environment.

If you plan to participate in a hearing and you believe that there are factors that may affect your ability to participate, please contact the hearing coordinator as soon as possible. We will accommodate your needs as required under the B.C. Human Rights Code.  

If you are a complainant, a witness or the teacher that is the subject of the hearing, and you self-identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis, we would like to know more about your culture, traditions, rights and legal systems. We invite you to contact the hearing coordinator so that we can learn how to support you.    

What happens at a hearing?

In the hearing room, the following people may be present: 

  • Members of the hearing panel
  • The teacher, who may or may not have a legal representative
  • The Commissioner’s legal counsel
  • The hearing coordinator
  • A court reporter
  • Witnesses, who wait outside the hearing room until they are asked to give their testimony
  • Support person(s)
  • Observers

During a hearing, the Commissioner’s legal counsel presents the evidence and the witnesses. The teacher, and the teacher’s legal representative if there is one, present their evidence and can cross-examine the witnesses. Members of the hearing panel can ask questions. The court reporter creates a written record of the proceedings. After the hearing, the hearing panel will consider the charges made against the teacher and the related evidence and submissions.

What are the possible outcomes of a hearing?

The disciplinary hearing panel may decide to dismiss the citation against the teacher. If the panel does not dismiss the citation, it may make any of the following findings:  

  • The teacher has been or is guilty of professional misconduct or conduct unbecoming a teacher
  • The teacher has been or is incompetent to carry out the professional duties and responsibilities of a teacher 
  • The teacher does not have the capacity to carry out professional duties and responsibilities of a teacher because of a physical or mental disability

The disciplinary hearing panel will also decide on the consequences for the teacher. The consequences may include:

  • A reprimand
  • Limits or conditions on a teaching certificate
  • The suspension or cancellation of a certificate
  • A ban on the issuance of a new certificate to a teacher who previously held a teaching certificate

The person who made the complaint or report is told about the hearing panel’s decisions. The outcome of the hearing will be publicly available. Note that in some cases, outcomes are not published if it would cause hardship to a person who was harmed.

In a certification appeal, the hearing panel decides whether a person who applied for a teaching certificate meets the requirements to be issued a certificate. The decisions made by the certification appeal hearing are posted publicly.