The requirements to register as a primary school teacher are set out in Regulation Two of the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations, 2009.

There are two routes to registration:

• Completion of an accredited Bachelor of Education (Primary) qualification
  

OR

• Completion of a Postgraduate or Higher Diploma in Education preceded by a level 8 undergraduate qualification.

Either of these two teacher education qualifications must cover the full primary curriculum from junior infants to sixth class (normally age range 4 to 12). A list of approved courses is outlined in Q. 3 below.

The Bachelor of Education should extend over a minimum period of three years of full time study (or equivalent) carry at least 180 ECTS credits.

The Postgraduate or Higher Diploma in Education must extend over a period of 18 months full time study, or equivalent part time study and should carry 90 ECTS credits

For full details on requirements please refer to Regulation Two in the Registration handbook. Schedule One of the Registration Regulations outlines further details in relation to Studies in the Foundation Disciplines of Education, Professional Studies and the Practical Teaching Programme.

For those making applications after 01 April 2013, the primary degree must be at Level 8 on the national framework for qualifications.

The Council may also recognise primary teacher education qualfications which are equivalent to the standards above and the criteria outlined in Schedule One, including primary teacher qualifications previously recognised by the Minister for Education and Skills providing that the qualification was attained prior to the passing of these Regulations.

In order to register under Regulation Three, you must hold one of the following Montessori qualfications:

• Bachelor of Arts in Montessori Education, St. Nicholas Montessori College Dublin

OR

• Diploma in Montessori Education, Association Montessori Internationale, Dublin (AMI) (3 year full time course)

Please note for registration after 01 April 2013 these qualifications must be at a Level 8 on the National framework for qualifications.

Alternatively, you must hold an underlying primary teacher education qualification in addition to a recognised Special Education qualification.

If you hold any of the following qualifications you are deemed to automatically meet registration qualification requirements and do not need to have your qualifications assessed:

Undergraduate Primary Teacher Qualifications

• Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 

• Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching, Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick  

• Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching, Froebel College of Education, Sion Hill, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

• Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching, Coláiste Mhuire, Marino Institute of Education, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9

• Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching, The Church of Ireland College of Education, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6.

It should be noted for those making an application after 01 April 2013, this qualification must be Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Postgraduate Primary Teacher Qualifications

• Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary), St. Patrick’s College of Education Drumcondra, Dublin 9

• Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary),Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick

• Higher Diploma in Education (Primary), Froebel College of Education, Sion Hill, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

• Higher Diploma in Education (Primary), Coláiste Mhuire, Marino Institute of Education, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9       

• Higher Diploma in Arts in Primary Education, Hibernia online College, www.hiberniacollege.net

If you hold qualifications other than those listed or qualifications gained outside of the Republic of Ireland you can apply for an assessment of your qualifications for the purposes of registration by completing form PRQA-01.

Applicants are advised to ensure they meet the registration requirements for primary teachers before proceeding with their application. These are available on our website www.teachingcouncil.ie

Registration is also subject to Evidence of Character requirements, including Garda Vetting. Please contact our offices on 01 6517900 to obtain a Garda Vetting Application form.

If your qualifications were assessed by the Department of Education and Skills prior to March 2006, you do not need to apply for an assessment of your qualifications again.

On applying for registration with the Teaching Council, please supply the Department of Education and Skills letter outlining the results of your assessment.

The Teaching Council is the designated authority in Ireland for assessing applications for registration from persons recognised as teachers in other EU/EEA countries.

In accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC, which relates to the recognition of professional qualifications, persons who are recognised for the purposes of teaching in one EU/EEA member state, are entitled to have those qualifications recognised in all other member states. The host member state is permitted to assess the qualifications and if deemed to be significantly different from the requirements in Ireland it can apply conditions to any registration granted.

Applicants are allowed a maximum of three years to address any identified shortfalls, during which time they will be registered conditionally and permitted to take up employment. When all qualification shortfalls have been addressed, applicants will undergo a further process of Probation.

The teaching of the Irish language is an essential component of the Primary school curriculum and is a requirement for all teachers. Teachers qualified outside of Ireland will universally have the Irish language requirement applied as a condition of their registration.

For those with a shortfall/ registration condition in this area, the Irish Language Requirement can be addressed by completing an Aptitude Test (An Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge – SCG) or an Adaptation Period (Oiriúnú le hAghaidh Cailíochta sa Ghaeilge – OCG).

You will have three years from date of Registration to address this shortfall.

Please send an email to info@teachingcouncil.ie giving authority to allow paymaster (The Department of Education and Skills) to view your qualification details.