Applicants for registration
If you have spent a cumulative period of 12 months or more outside of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland after the age of 18, you must submit a copy of your national police clearance (not state clearance) for each country where you lived.
These clearance certificates must cover the entire period of residence in each country. The clearance must be dated not more than six months prior to leaving the country or can be dated any time after you have left the country.
- Providing a clearance certificate is the responsibility of the applicant.
- You are advised to seek the clearance as early as possible as this process can take time.
- Your application for registration cannot be finalised until we receive your clearance.
Registered teachers
If you are a registered teacher being vetted for employment or for registration renewal (re-vetting), you do not need to provide overseas police clearance.
Exceptional circumstances
If a satisfactory police or criminal records disclosure is not available, we reserve the right to seek a sworn declaration from you.
We will send you a Declaration Form in the following circumstances only:
- The relevant country is at war or experiencing political upheaval
- The Teaching Council is aware that police clearance can only be obtained by residents of the relevant country
The applicant:
- Was travelling through the country and had no fixed address
- Resided in the country for a period of less than six months
- Resided in the country more than 10 years ago
- Provided correspondence proving that police clearance cannot be obtained.