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Teaching in Ireland

Competent Authority

The Teaching Council of Ireland is the competent authority for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland.

Application Process

To work as a teacher in schools funded by the Department of Education & Skills in Ireland, you are required to be registered with the Teaching Council and have your qualifications approved by the authority.

The application process involves submitting a completed Application Form, together with academic transcripts, proof of identity, evidence of character, the application fee and other documentary evidence. All applicants must also undergo the Garda Vetting process which can be completed at the same time as an application for registration. Each application is assessed according to set criteria regarding qualifications and teaching experience, as well as evidence of character. Registration may be granted in full or with conditions, or refused. Applicants have the right to request a review of decision if they are unhappy with the outcome of the application process.

There are 4 routes of registration

Route 1 - Primary

Route 2 - Post Primary

Route 3 - Further Education

Route 4 - Other

Irish Qualification Recognition

Qualifying in the current year

Primary/Post-primary/ Montessori NQT

The Teaching Council has developed a streamlined "fast-track" application process for final year teacher education students who wish to register with the Council.

Follow these steps:

Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) in Ireland

Applicants wishing to register as a teacher in the Further Education sector must meet the requirements set out in Route 3 of the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2016 and The Teaching Council [Registration] (Amendment) Regulations 2016.

Principle Conditions for Admission to the Register

Qualifications

Evidence of Character– including Vetting (mandatory).

Application Process

Teachers should apply for registration using this link here.

Completed application forms must be submitted with:

  • photocopies of transcripts
  • other documentary evidence (see the application form)
  • the registration fee of €90

Applicants are advised to ensure the form is fully completed prior submission, by reference to the Guidance Notes document and the checklist included in the form. When an application is received, it is examined by Teaching Council staff to ensure that it is complete and accompanied by all necessary documentation. Where this is not the case, the applicant is contacted and requested to forward any missing documentation or fill in any incomplete sections of the form.

Qualified in Previous Years

Applicants who qualified in Ireland, who are not new graduates, and who wish to begin or return to teaching after a period of absence (e.g. a career break) may apply to the Teaching Council for registration.

Principle Conditions for Admission to the Register

Qualifications:

  1. Route 1 – Primary
  2. Route 2 – Post Primary
  3. Route 3 – Further Education
  4. Route 4 - Other

Evidence of Character – including Vetting (mandatory).

Application Process

Teachers (Route 1 – Primary, Route 2 – Post-Primary, Route 3 – Further Education, Route 4 – Other) should apply for registration via this page.

Completed application forms must be submitted with:

  • photocopies of transcripts
  • other documentary evidence (see the application form)
  • the registration fee of €90

Applicants are advised to ensure the form is fully completed prior submission, by reference to the Guidance Notes document and the checklist included in the form. When an application is received, it is examined by Teaching Council staff to ensure that it is complete and accompanied by all necessary documentation. Where this is not the case, the applicant is contacted and requested to forward any missing documentation or fill in any incomplete sections of the form.

European Qualification Recognition

Fully qualified teachers who have qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council. All applications from teachers who qualified abroad are processed in line with the EU Directive 2005/36/EC and are assessed in the same manner, regardless of whether they qualified within or outside the EU. All applications are individually assessed.

A person deemed to be a fully qualified teacher has completed a recognised teacher education qualification and programme of induction in the country in which they qualified and can provide an official letter from the relevant teacher registration body/ Competent Authority or Ministry of Education confirming recognition as a fully qualified teacher in the State/ country.

In accordance with the EU Directive 2005/36/EC, the qualifications of teachers who qualified outside of the ROI are assessed to ensure they are of a comparable standard to those achieved by graduates of accredited programmes in Ireland. Where significant differences arise, conditions (qualification shortfalls) will be applied to the teacher's registration.

Watch a video on the assessment process below;

There are three stages to the assessment process:

1. Application

  • Submit the application form (below) with all required documentation and fee to the Council.
  • A staff member will contact an applicant if any documentation is missing from their application as the assessment cannot begin until all of the required documents have been received.
  • Applications are processed within a 12 week timeframe from the date of receipt of all required documentation.

Route 1: Primary

The application form for Route 1: Primary (PRQA-01) is available here. Accompanying guidance notes are available here.

Route 2: Post-primary

  • The application form for Route 2: Post-primary (PPQA-01) is available here. Accompanying guidance notes are available here.
  • Applicants who qualified outside of Ireland, applying for Physical Education, must also complete the form here. (PE1)
  • In order to register under Route 2 Post-primary and in addition to holding the relevant teacher education qualification, applicants must meet the requirements for at least one Post-primary curricular subject. Applicants must consult the Council's Post-primary Curricular Subject Requirements before determining which subject(s) to apply for. The requirements are available here.

2. Assessment

  • An applicant's file may be referred for assessment to an external Advisor.
  • The application, including the Advisor's recommendation is considered by the Qualifications Panel which is made up of Teaching Council members.
  • Where significant differences are identified between the applicant's qualifications and the registration requirements in Ireland, conditions will be applied to the applicant's registration.
  • If the Panel decides to register the applicant subject to one or more conditions, or to refuse to register the applicant, the applicant will be informed in writing of this decision and given the option of requesting a review of the decision by the Registration Review Group, within 21 days of receipt of the decision of the Panel.
  • A teacher registered with conditions (qualification shortfalls) can complete these conditions either by aptitude test (module/ course of study) or by adaptation period (by teaching in the area of shortfall) as outlined in EU Directive 2005/36/EC, within a certain time frame. This timeframe is normally 3 years but may be extended upon application in certain circumstances.
  • All applicants under Route 1: Primary will have the condition of Irish Language Requirement applied to their registration.
  • All applicants under Route 2: Post-primary will have the condition of History & Structure of the Irish Education System applied to their registration.

3. Registration

Registration will be finalised providing that all other requirements have been met in relation to character reference, vetting and English Language Proficiency.

Temporary and Occasional Teaching

The Teaching Council's fee structure does not allow for reduced fees to be levied. Registration provides a license to teach, regardless of how frequently one teaches.

Fees

The standard registration fee is €90 per annum. The renewal fee is €65. Please refer to the schedule of fees for overseas assessment fees.

Processing Times

The assessment and registration process may take up to 12 weeks from receipt of all application documentation and depending on the time of year. You are advised to apply in advance of your planned return to or commencement of teaching.

Further information

Teaching Council homepage 

Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016

Contact details

The Teaching Council, Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 Y7X0, Ireland

Telephone: +353 1 651 7900

Email: info@teachingcouncil.ie

The above is for general information- please see the Teaching Council homepage for further details.

Last updated: 7th November 2023