Qualifications Awarded in EU/EEA Countries

The Teaching Council welcomes applications from teachers who qualified outside Ireland in another EU/EEA Member State and are deemed fully qualified* in that Member State. Each application will be assessed individually. (*A fully qualified teacher will have completed a recognised teacher education qualification and programme of induction and can provide an official letter from the Competent Authority or Ministry of Education in their home country confirming recognition as a fully qualified teacher in that country.)

In accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC, people who qualified as teachers in one EU member state, are entitled to have their qualifications recognised in all other member states. This recognition may be granted subject to conditions, including making good any shortfalls. The Teaching Council is the competent authority in Ireland for assessing applications from people who qualified as teachers in other EU/EEA countries. In general, teachers must satisfy all other conditions set by the Teaching Council before addressing any probationary conditions required by the Council.

Applications for registration with the Teaching Council should include evidence of satisfactory completion of probation/induction processes undertaken in another jurisdiction where this has occurred. It is a matter for the Teaching Council to determine if the evidence provided is sufficient to warrant exemption from the probationary requirements in Ireland.

Revised procedures for the registration of teachers under Council Directive 2005/36/EC (EEA Countries) in Ireland

From 1 January 2011, persons commencing a programme of initial teacher education outside Ireland and who wish to register with the Teaching Council under the mobility rights (for workers) of Council Directive 2005/36/EC (EEA Countries), must have full registration from the country in which they completed the programme of initial teacher education. Full registration may include a period of induction and/or probation in that country. In effect, if probation/induction is a requirement for the purpose of gaining full registration in that State, a teacher will not gain mobility rights under the terms of the Directive until the requirement is met. Generally, such a teacher will be deemed exempt from the probationary period in Ireland. From September 2010, the Teaching Council is the body that processes applications for exemptions from probation.

In addition, the following conditions also apply:

Applicants must meet the registration requirements set out in the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2009 (these can be viewed on the Teaching Council website). 

As part of the registration process, the Teaching Council considers evidence of character. Each applicant for registration must also undergo a process of Garda vetting. 

Qualifications Awarded outside of EU/EEA Countries

The Teaching Council welcomes applications from teachers who qualified outside the EU/EEA and are deemed fully qualified* in their home country. Each application will be assessed individually.

Applicants must meet the registration requirements set out in the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2009.

As part of the registration process, the Teaching Council considers evidence of character. Each applicant for registration must also undergo a process of Garda vetting.