Applicants for registration
If you have spent a cumulative period of 12 months or more, (i.e. when you add all the periods of time together, it amounts to 12 months or more) outside of the Republic of Ireland or 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.
Northern Ireland
If you have lived in Northern Ireland, you do not need to provide police clearance. The National Vetting Bureau carries out checks on both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland checks.
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
Applicants are responsible for obtaining national police clearance certificates and should make every effort to do so.
If a satisfactory police or criminal records disclosure is not available, we reserve the right to seek a sworn Fit and Proper Person Declaration from you. The declaration must be signed, dated, and stamped by a practicing solicitor or a Commissioner for Oaths.
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
Or, 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 and has provided correspondence proving that police clearance cannot be obtained.
If you are experiencing difficulties with obtaining police clearance for a particular country, please email vetting@teachingcouncil.ie