The Council has developed a streamlined application process for final year teacher education students who wish to register with the Council. It operates as follows:
Step 1 - Teaching Council Visits Colleges and Universities
A representative from The Teaching Council visits final year students in each college or university where a programme of teacher education is being provided and briefs them on the Council's registration and Garda vetting requirements. On the day of the visit, students are required to return completed forms as follows:
1. Consent Form for the Transfer of Student Details and Qualification Results from College/University to The Teaching Council
The consent form authorises the college or university to transfer student contact details and exam results to The Teaching Council. This form should be completed and returned to the Registrar’s Office or Education Department in the college or university. Where final year students do not complete this consent form, their details will not be transferred to The Teaching Council and the registration process will not commence.
2. Garda Vetting Application Form
For both registration and employment purposes, all newly qualified teachers must be vetted by An Garda Síochána via The Teaching Council. The Teaching Council cannot process an application for registration until the applicant has completed the vetting process. It is important to note that the vetting process can take up to 10 weeks to complete. For further information, please see the Evidence of Character section. Please refer to the NQT Registration Information Leaflet for full details on Garda vetting.
3. Character Reference Form
Under the Teaching Council Act, 2001, one of the requirements for admission to the register is satisfactory evidence of character. It is advised that the Character Reference Form is a) completed prior to the sitting of final exams and,
b) retained and submitted along with the application for registration which is issued to newly qualified teacher in July.
All final year students are strongly advised to attend these information sessions and complete the forms listed above in order to ensure the registration process is completed prior to the commencement of the school year. It is advisable to read fully the NQT Registration Information Leaflet which discusses in detail each step leading to registration.
Download the NQT Registration Information Leaflet
View a list of frequently asked questions
Download the PowerPoint presentation for Post-primary NQTs
Download the PowerPoint presentation for Primary NQTs
Step 2 - Students Apply for Registration
The Teaching Council sends a personalised application form to newly qualified teachers whose details were transferred by the college or university. This form must be correctly completed and returned to The Teaching Council as soon as possible thereafter to ensure completion of registration for the new school year.
A Character Reference Form must accompany all applications for registration.
Please note:
Newly qualified teachers are granted registration with conditions pending the successful completion of a required period of post-qualification employment (for post-primary teachers) or probation (for primary teachers).