What is Teacher Registration?
What is Teacher Registration?
Registration is a system for ensuring that there is a minimum quality standard applied to all teachers employed in the general education system in New Zealand, and that those who fall below the standard will either not become a 'registered teacher' or will have their registration cancelled. Maintenance of a Teachers' Register assists boards of trustees in making appointments, and gives parents and the public an assurance that acceptable minimum standards of suitability, training and satisfactory teaching have been reached. Employers, teachers and the public all benefit from a registration system that works towards the growth of a high quality teaching profession.
Do I have to be Registered?
To teach in a school, kura or free kindergarten in any capacity, or to be in a position of person responsible in teacher-led early childhood centres, the Education Act requires you to be registered. In addition registration gives you the assurance of a supervised induction programme during your first two years of teaching. When you are fully registered, it shows that you have proved to be a satisfactory practitioner and continue to meet the registration standards of being fit to be a teacher and of good character and of satisfactory performance. The term registered teacher is protected by law and can only be used by a teacher who is on the Teachers' Register.
New Zealand teachers seeking teaching positions overseas may find their options limited if they cannot produce a current NZ Teachers Council practising certificate.
How do I register?
The application form (TC1) must be completed.
Registration should be obtained before seeking employment. If you are continuing with further tertiary study or do not intend to teach immediately you should delay applying for registration. Apply when you intend to seek teaching employment. The registration/practising certificate fee of $120 must be paid before an application can be approved.
What is Provisional Registration?
Students graduating from a NZ Teachers Council approved programme of teacher education who meet registration requirements are provisionally registered upon application. Your name will then be entered on the Teachers' Register.
As a provisionally registered teacher you can move to full registration. You do this by completing two years teaching in minimum blocks of ten weeks for at least 12.5 hours per week and successfully participating in a supervised advice and guidance programme. This teaching time needs to be supervised by a fully registered teacher and endorsed as meeting the NZ Teachers Council's 'satisfactory teacher' criteria.
What are the requirements to become fully registered?
You can be recommended for full registration by the principal, supervisor, person responsible or chief executive of the school, early childhood centre or institution which is employing you as soon as you meet the following conditions:
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you have completed a total of two years teaching, in minimum blocks of ten weeks. The teaching does not have to be all completed at only one school or institution
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your teaching load is a minimum of 12.5 hours per week
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you are employed as a teacher in New Zealand in the general education system or in institutions approved by the NZ Teachers Council
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you have participated in an advice and guidance programme for the two year period under the supervision of a fully registered teacher
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you meet the 'satisfactory teacher' criteria laid down by the NZ Teachers Council
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you hold a current practising certificate.
What is a Practising Certificate?
A practising certificate is evidence that registration is still current. If you do not have a current practising certificate your registration will eventually expire and you will no longer be a registered teacher. You must have a current practising certificate to continue to be employed by a school authority, kura or a free kindergarten, or to be in a position of person responsible in a teacher-led early childhood centre.
You need to apply for a new practising certificate every three years. To do this you need to fully complete the appropriate form and pay the fee.
What happens to my registration status if I do not take up a teaching position for some years?
If you have not had the opportunity to teach during the period of your provisional registration, you will need to make a new application to be put back on the Teachers' Register. There is no limit to the number of times you may reapply for registration. There is no requirement to undertake a further teacher education course.
Can teaching overseas be counted towards my induction period for full registration in New Zealand?
Up to a maximum of one year of supervised teaching overseas may be counted towards the two year period of provisional registration provided that it is done in the general education system of the country and there is evidence of induction into the teaching profession by a mentor teacher involving supervision, guidance and appraisal. This needs to be more than the cyclic appraisals which are applicable to all teachers in a school. At least one full year of supervised teaching must be completed in New Zealand and you must be teaching in this country when the recommendation for full registration is made.
What if I want to teach in a tertiary institution and I am provisionally registered?
There is nothing to prevent you working in a polytechnic or other tertiary institution, but you may have some problems getting the necessary advice and guidance programme and being supervised by a fully registered teacher.
What if I get a 'sole charge' teaching position while provisionally registered, or there are no other registered teachers in the learning centre?
An advice and guidance programme is still required if you are to become fully registered. This will be almost impossible to obtain in a sole charge position without considerable input from experienced teachers outside the school or centre. Ensure that your employer is aware of your needs and that provision is made for support at the time of your appointment. Sole charge teaching is usually regarded as a principal's position or that of the professional leader and demands exceptional skills in a first or second year teacher.
To move from provisional registration to full registration you must meet the following requirements:
- You have completed a total of two years' teaching, in minimum blocks of ten weeks The teaching does not have to be at one school or institution only.
- You have a teaching load of a minimum of 12.5 hours per week.
- You are employed as a teacher (not a teacher aide or voluntary worker) in the general education system or in institutions approved by the NZ Teachers Council.
- You have participated in an advice and guidance programme under the supervision of a fully registered teacher for the two year period, which includes a structured programme in the first year and continuing supervision throughout the second year.
- You meet the satisfactory teacher' criteria laid down by the NZ Teachers Council.
- You are recommended for full registration by the principal or supervisor of the school or early childhood centre which is employing you.
- You have a current practising certificate.
To ensure that the professional training you have received is translated into satisfactory professional practice, your first two years of teaching must be supervised by already fully registered experienced professionals. (In other professions this is called internship or induction.) For this supervision to be acceptable to the NZ Teachers Council it must be in the form of a written programme that can be sent to the NZ Teachers Council if requested.
What comprises an Advice and Guidance Programme?
The details of a programme will vary with the size of a school and whether or not you have a full or part-time teaching programme. Components of a good programme are:
- Resource and personal support from colleagues working in the same curriculum area, school or centre.
- Receiving classroom visits and written lesson appraisals on progress towards meeting the criteria for registration.
- Visiting and observing other teachers.
- Meeting with senior staff and other teachers to clarify the wider aspects of your work and responsibilities, including professional development.
- A written record of the programme, containing the advice and guidance received and your participation in planning and the corporate life of the school or centre.
- Reflecting and documenting your teaching journey.
The advice and guidance programme will be most intensive in the first year. By the second year the amount of supervision will depend on need.
What if I am teaching less than half a teaching programme?
Although you can participate in the school or centre's advice and guidance programme (and should be encouraged to do so) the amount of teaching does not meet the service requirements to count towards full registration.
What if there is no Advice and Guidance programme for me?
You should raise the matter with your teaching colleagues and the principal or head of the institution(It is possible they may not be aware that you are provisionally registered). If you are in your first two years of teaching and occupying a full teaching position it is likely that the school has additional teaching hours to enable you to have professional release time. If necessary, check the personnel policy of your employing Board (the Charter requires such a policy) and see what it says about staff support and staff development. If you belong to a Union, NZEI or PPTA, contact them or your branch chair for advice. Access from the Council website the resource called "Towards Full Registration" and see what are the responsibilities for teachers. You can also contact the NZ Teachers Council if you need further advice.
What happens to my Advice and Guidance if I move to a different learning centre?
Ensure that you take a written record of your programme with you. If you have several relieving positions (in minimum blocks of ten weeks) making up your two years of provisional registration, the principal or supervisor who finally recommends your full registration will need to be satisfied that there is evidence of a continuing advice and guidance programme. The NZ Teachers Council will also seek this assurance. Provided you keep evidence of your advice and guidance programmes you could have substantial gaps between your periods of employment as a provisionally registered teacher.
What if there is no fully registered teacher in the learning centre to supervise me?
If this happens, arrangements will have to be made with a local network of teachers for someone outside the learning centre to provide the supervision. Supervision by an employer (e.g. a Board of Trustees member) is not acceptable unless the person is also an experienced fully registered teacher.
What about Advice and Guidance after doing two years of provisional registration?
If you are not recommended for full registration after completing the minimum period of provisional registration, you should continue to participate in an advice and guidance programme for another year. Unless this happens there is no way your progress towards meeting the criteria of being a satisfactory teacher can be assessed.
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