The Teaching Council has carried out assessments of various types of qualifications to determine if they meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for registration. Based on these assessments the Council has found that traditional College / University-based programmes, for example Postgraduate Certificates in Education, are the most closely aligned with initial teacher education qualifications in Ireland and were, therefore, most likely to meet the requirements for registration under the Regulation. On the basis of applications assessed, the Council has found that models such as international variations of traditional College/University-based programmes were less likely to meet the eligibility requirements and outside the scope of the Regulation.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply for registration under the Timebound Provision, you must meet two eligibility requirements:
1. Evidence of Registration
You must have evidence of registration from the relevant teacher registration body or Ministry of Education in the country where you qualified.
For example: If you qualified as a teacher in England, you must have evidence of being awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).
If you do not meet this eligibility requirement, you should not proceed with an application.
If you provide evidence of registration, your application will proceed and be assessed to determine if you meet the second requirement.
2. Teacher Education Qualification
You must have completed a teacher education qualification outside the Republic of Ireland (ROI).
Primary (4-12)- You must have a primary initial teacher education qualification awarded by a provider from outside of the ROI, which is deemed equivalent to Irish standards, with the exception of the Irish Language Requirement (ILR). The ILR will be applied as a condition of your registration.
Or
Post-primary (12-18)- You must have a post-primary initial teacher education qualification awarded by a provider outside of the ROI, which is deemed equivalent to Irish standards, except for the History and Structure of the Irish Education System requirement (H&S) and meet the curricular subject requirements for at least one post-primary subject. The H&S will be applied as a condition of your registration.
You will be registered for the curricular subject(s) for which your qualification(s) meet the requirements in full. If your qualification(s) do not fully meet the requirements for any curricular subject, you may be registered for the subject for which your qualification(s) is closest to meeting requirements (subject to conditions) as determined by the Council. Please see the list of approved Curricular Subjects Requirements.
If you do not meet the above two eligibility requirements, your application will be deemed ineligible and outside of the scope of the Timebound Provision.
If shortfalls in your ITE are identified, you will not be eligible to address these through aptitude tests or an adaptation period or gain conditional registration (Except for ILR and H&S)./ Suggested text: “Please note that if you are deemed not eligible for registration under the TBP, you will need to complete induction in the country in which you qualified and then apply to register with the Teaching Council.”
Registration Condition(s)
Teachers who are eligible to register with the Teaching Council under the Timebound Provision will be registered with the following registration conditions:
- Primary Teachers: Irish Language Requirement
- Post-primary Teachers: History and Structure of the Irish education System
- All Teachers: Droichead, the Council’s professional induction process
How to apply
- Apply online: Log in or create an account on My Registration
- Queries: Email tbp@teachingcouncil.ie
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I qualified as a teacher outside of the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and have evidence of registration from the relevant teacher registration body. I did not, however, complete the statutory period of induction required in the country in which I qualified. Can I apply for registration?
The Teaching Council will accept applications from primary and post-primary teachers who have qualified outside of the ROI but who have not completed the required period of induction in the country in which they qualified. Applications are made in accordance with the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2025. You must also meet certain qualification requirements to be eligible to apply.
What is Qualified Teacher Status?
Your application cannot be processed without evidence of Qualified Teacher Status/Licence to teach and completion of an accredited programme of primary or post-primary initial teacher education in the country in which you qualified. This evidence can be obtained from the competent authority in the country that you have completed your qualification (e.g., Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA)/ Teaching Council equivalent body/ Department/Ministry of Education).
Will I have to complete induction in Ireland?
Yes, teachers who register in accordance with the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2025 will be registered with the condition of the completion of induction. Droichead is the Teaching Council’s Integrated Professional Induction Framework in Ireland.
How will I address the condition of the ILR?
The Irish Language Requirement (ILR) can be completed via an Aptitude test (Scrudú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge) or via an Adaptation Period (Oiriúnú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge). More information on these pathways is available here.
How do I address the History and Structure of the Irish Education System requirement?
The History and Structure of the Irish Education System (H&S) examination is organised online three times a year by the Teaching Council. The exam is intended to assess whether applicants have a knowledge and understanding of the history and structure of education in the Republic of Ireland, particularly second level education, since the foundation of the State in 1922. Applicants should have an understanding of key issues relating to the control and management of post-primary schools and of curriculum and assessment at post-primary level. Further information on the History and Structure of the Irish Education System examination is available here.
What curricular subject requirements must I meet for Post-primary (Route 2) registration?
To register with the Teaching Council as a post-primary teacher you must also meet the requirements for at least one post-primary curricular subject. Before making an application, you should refer to the Council’s Post-primary Curricular Subject Requirements.
You will be registered for the curricular subject(s) for which you meet the requirements in full. If you do not meet the requirements in full for any subject, you may be registered for the subject for which you are closest to meeting requirements (subject to conditions) as determined by the Council.
I qualified as a teacher outside of the Republic of Ireland and also completed the statutory period of induction required in the country in which I qualified. How do I apply for registration?
Applicants who qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland and completed the statutory period of induction must apply via the standard application process accessible via the application portal.