Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) fast-track registration for primary and post-primary page.

“The Teaching Council offers a priority registration process to Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT’s) – called the NQT fast-track registration process. This is open to graduates of primary and post-primary Bachelor of Education and Professional Masters of Education programmes.

This video will cover:

• Why you need to register with the Teaching Council
• Vetting
• The online fast-track NQT registration process
• Conditional registration and
• Renewing your registration”

“The Council operates under Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act which states you must be registered with us to take up employment as a teacher and receive a State funded salary.

The Registration Regulations are published on the Council’s website and outline the requirements for each route of registration.

When you join the register, you will be part of the largest professional register in Ireland.  Approximately 3,600 NQT’s are added each year across all routes of registration.”

“Step 1- NQT Fast Track Process – VETTING  

The Council is the authorised body for vetting teachers in Ireland. All teachers must complete vetting as part of their registration with us. Vetting through another institution, such as a school or GAA club is not accepted.

If you are currently registered with us you do not need to complete vetting again unless you have been specifically asked to re-vet. However, you are required to submit an NQT registration application to update your registration to primary or post-primary.”

“Vetting is a two-stage process.. Through your course provider we have provided you with a link to create an account and apply for vetting online.

Vetting Stage 1 – complete the vetting invitation form online and upload the requested identification documentation. It is important that you include your correct PPS number at this stage, as any error may cause a delay to your application. 

Vetting Stage 2 – On completion of Stage 1 of the process, a link will be emailed to you from the National Vetting Bureau (NVB).  You must provide your addresses from birth to current date.

Vetting should be started immediately, to avoid any unnecessary delays to your registration application.”

“Step 2- NQT Fast Track Process – Consent

As part of the online NQT Fast-track registration process your course provider will ask for your consent to transfer your final results to us electronically. This will initiate the applications process. When you receive this request, please act on it immediately even if you are already registered.”

“Step 3 – NQT Fast Track Process – Fit and Proper Person

As part of the registration process, the Council must be satisfied that you are a fit and proper person to be admitted onto the Register of Teachers.

We have asked your course provider to provide a character reference for all students. Should your course provider decline to provide a reference for you they will notify you and us so that alternative arrangements can be considered.  This will happen automatically, and you do not need to do anything.”

“Step 4 – NQT Fast Track Process – Invitation to Register/Update your Registration

When we receive your results from your course provider, we will send you an email outlining the next steps required to complete your registration. An NQT application form will be made available to you online following the transfer of your final results. Please ensure your email address is up to date with your course provider prior to your details being transferred.”

“If you are currently registered with the Teaching Council, please note the following important points of information:

• Submit your NQT application to update your registration to primary/post-primary
• You are not required to submit additional registration fee or apply for vetting
• If you are registered under Route 5 – Student Teacher – Do not let your registration lapse, please renew your registration. Submit your NQT application form to update your registration
• If you are registered under Route 3 – Further Education? Submit NQT application form. Route 3 will then be removed unless you advise otherwise.”

Post-primary Professional Masters of Education (PME) Students

“For post-primary PME students, you will recall being offered to apply for PME verification in year one of your PME qualification. This was a free process where your undergraduate qualification was assessed against the subject requirements and your post-primary subjects for registration were identified.

Participants would have received a letter or email advising that their subject either met the requirements in full OR shortfalls were identified.  An example of shortfalls could be a credit shortfall, or for modern foreign languages, an immersive educational experience or linguistic competency requirement.  It is important to note that your registration cannot be finalised until you have provided evidence that you have completed your shortfall or evidence of language competency is received. 

If you did not avail of the PME verification process, the assessment of your subjects will take place when you apply for registration in the summer.  You must submit your undergraduate transcripts with your registration application and clear instructions will be given about how to do this at the time.  Please note, to be eligible to register you must meet the requirements in full for at least one subject.”

Post-primary Language Students (including Gaeilge)

“As part of the curricular subject requirements for all post-primary languages (including Gaeilge), applicants are required to provide verifiable evidence of an immersive educational experience in the curricular language.

You must submit evidence of having linguistic competence of at least a B.2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This must be explicitly stated on your academic transcript, or your course provider can provide a statement of your linguistic competence level.”

“Summary

1. Step 1 – Vetting – vetting must be completed prior to registration. A link has been issued to you via your course provider to apply for vetting online. If you are currently registered, you are not required to undergo vetting for NQT registration purposes.
2. Step 2 – Consent – You must provide your course provider with consent to transfer your final results to the Council. Please ensure your contact details are up to date with your course provider.
3. Step 3 – Fit and Proper Person – Your course provider will provide a character reference to us on your behalf. Should they refuse to do so they will contact you directly.
4. Step 4 – Apply to register/update your registration if already registered – Following the transfer of your final results, the Council will contact you with instructions on how to update your registration. An NQT application form will be made available to you online. Please act promptly to any correspondence received.”

“Conditional Registration (Droichead)

All NQTs will be conditionally registered subject to the condition of Droichead.

Droichead is the integrated professional induction process for NQTs. It includes both school-based induction and additional professional learning activities to meet the needs of teachers as they begin their career.  All NQTs are registered with the condition of Droichead and have three years from the date of first registration to complete the process. Droichead is based on teaching the Irish State curriculum within recognised schools in Ireland and is a state funded induction process. Therefore, it is not possible to complete Droichead outside of Ireland. 

The Council operates an extension policy for registered teachers that encounter extenuating circumstances which prevents them from completing their registration conditions. You must apply for an extension if you are genuinely unable to complete any condition within the specified period.

You must meet your conditions or submit an extension request prior to your registration renewal date in the year it is due to expire.”

Overseas Induction

“If you intend to travel overseas to work as a teacher and complete induction overseas, please visit www.teachingcouncil.ie for our overseas induction assessment criteria. You are advised to check the criteria before you commence any overseas induction process.

If you are travelling abroad straight away, you may be wondering whether you should register with us now or when you return home.  While this is a personal decision and there is no requirement to register immediately, you should be aware that if you are planning to teach abroad, you will most likely be required to show evidence that you are a registered teacher in Ireland.”

Renewal of your registration

“You are required to renew you registration each year. Your renewal date is the anniversary of your join date. The renewal fee is currently €65 and you can renew online.

It is important to keep your contact details up to date to receive your reminders. Several reminders are sent via email and SMS.  You can update your details through your My registration account.

If you do not renew your registration, you will lapse off the register.  Once lapsed you cannot receive a salary from the Department of Education or Education and Training Boards.

You will have to apply for registration again and this process can take between 4-6 weeks to re-join the Register.  You will not be paid for the days you are off the Register, and your new registration cannot be backdated. It is very important that you renew your registration on time each year.”

“Avoid these common mistakes.

The following are some common mistakes that can delay your registration.

Vetting All the steps of vetting must be completed (the last step is filling your addresses online). In some cases, the vetting team may request additional foreign clearance which must also be submitted. Please ensure your PPS number is entered correctly.

Consent– To avail of the NQT fast track registration process you must give consent to your course provider to transfer your results. 

If you are completing Autumn Exam Board or repeats you cannot avail of the NQT fast-track registration process. You must submit a standard registration application online and this process can take between 4-6 weeks to complete.

Email address – Please use the same email address for all your applications – vetting, registration, consent to transfer final results etc.  Please carefully read and respond promptly to any emails sent from the Teaching Council which contain important information regarding your registration.”

“Information on the NQT fast-track registration process is available on www.teachingcouncil.ie. If you are unable to find the answer to your question on our website, please email nqt@teachingcouncil.ie”