Moving to Full Teacher Registration

What does it mean to move to Full registration?

Teachers who have achieved Full registration have undertaken a period of induction and mentoring and have proven through significant teaching service that they meet the specified teaching service requirements outlined in the Education Act 1989. 

Teaching service requirements for Provisionally Registered Teachers (PRTs)

In order to be eligible for Full registration you must meet the following conditions:

  • be employed in a teaching position of 0.5 Full Time Teacher Equivalent FTTE (this normally equates to 12.5 hours per week) in New Zealand
  • teach in minimum blocks of 10 weeks
  • be employed as a teacher - not a teacher aide or a volunteer worker - in the general education system or a setting approved by the Teachers Council for gaining full registration
  • participate in an induction programme under the supervision of a fully registered mentor teacher for 2 years
  • hold a current practising certificate  
  • have completed satisfactory recent teaching service (2 years of continuous teaching service within the last 5 years in New Zealand)

Your mentor teacher and professional leader must be able to attest that you meet all of the Registered Teacher Criteria in order to make a recommendation for Full registration on your behalf, at the end of the 2 year induction programme. If your mentor teacher and professional leader are unable to attest that you have demonstrated all of the Criteria at that point, you may need to complete a further period of supervised teaching prior to applying for Full teacher registration.

Overseas Teaching Experience

If you have completed one year of teaching under the supervision of a mentor teacher overseas, you may be eligible for this service to be considered towards the requirements for Full registration.  The employment is required to be completed in a school or learning centre recognised by the education authority of the relevant state or country.  You will be required to provide documentary evidence in the form of a statement on school letterhead outlining the system of professional support, guidance and appraisal involving a mentor teacher provided for the whole of that period of employment at the time you apply for Full registration.

Some useful links

If you are a PRT have a look at the useful policies and guidelines below. They provide essential infomation on the processes and standards required to move to full registration:

Towards Full Registration kit

Towards Full Registration - A Support Kit includes information for beginning teachers, mentor teachers, principals and boards of trustees. The kit includes sections that cover registration for early childhood education services and Māori medium education. It provides support for teachers working through the registration process and is useful for planning an advice and guidance programme.