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 communicates (either in person or online) with final year students in each college or university where a programme of teacher education is being provided. The purpose of the visit is to outline the role and functions of the Teaching Council, to provide information about the process of registration and Garda vetting. On the day of the visit the forms listed below are distributed and students are required to return them completed as follows:
- Consent Form for the Transfer of Student Details and Qualification Results from College/University to The Teaching Council
The Teaching Council seeks student data from the colleges and universities to facilitate and simplify the registration process. 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.
- 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 between 8 and 12 weeks to complete. Please refer to the NQT Registration Information Leaflet 2012/2013 for full details on Garda vetting.
- 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
- completed prior to the sitting of final exams and,
- retained and submitted along with the application for registration which will be issued to newly qualified teachers in July 2013.
Please refer to the NQT Registration Information Leaflet 2012/2013 for full details on the Character Reference Form.
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 fully read the NQT Registration Information Leaflet 2012/2013 which discusses in detail each step leading to registration.
Step 2 - Students Apply for Registration
The Teaching Council sends a personalised registration application form to newly qualified teachers whose details are transferred by the college or university. This form must be correctly completed and returned to The Teaching Council before the deadline date provided to ensure completion of registration for the new school year.
A Character Reference Form must accompany all applications for registration.
Please note: The Teaching Council cannot process an application for registration until the applicant has completed the vetting process. (See the Evidence of Character Section.)
Newly qualified teachers are granted registration with conditions pending the successful completion of
- a programme of induction (see FAQs on Induction)
- a required period of post-qualification employment (for post-primary teachers)
- probation (for primary teachers).