Renewing a Practising Certificate

What is the Process for Renewing a Practising Certificate?

Please check the eligibility criteria before reading this section.

Registered teachers working in (or in association with) a learning centre (a school, kohanga reo, early childhood centre, tertiary institution, institution recognised by the NZ Teachers Council etc...), will need to obtain a practising certificate renewal form. If you are currently working outside the general education system and wish to know whether your institution is approved by Council for the purposes of recognising teaching service towards maintaining full registration, check the list of approved institutions.

This renewal application form requires the following:

An affirmation signed by the principal (in the case of a school) or an experienced senior registered teacher (in the case of other institutions) affirming that the applicant is a satisfactory teacher according to the NZ Teachers Council 'satisfactory teacher' dimensions.

Determination of whether the teacher meets the NZ Teachers Council's standard will have arisen as part of the performance management system operating in the learning centre. A special appraisal is not required at the time of renewal.

In addition the affirmation will endorse that the teacher is engaged in professional development.

Registered teachers who are in positions seen by the NZ Teachers Council as equivalent to a teacher, or, registered teachers who are not presently teaching, will need to provide:

An affirmation as above, or, from a person (or persons) approved by the NZ Teachers Council, that the teacher is still satisfactory according to the Council's 'satisfactory teacher' dimensions, based on information and a process to be determined in the circumstances. (e.g. a performance appraisal, a testimonial, an observation and interview, etc.)

In addition the affirmation will endorse (and if necessary provide evidence) that the teacher is engaged in professional development, such as: undertaking higher qualifications; writing for teachers or about education; attending courses; use as a resource person; acting as a supervising teacher or mentor; acting as an educational leader, etc.

The NZ Teachers Council will send to each teacher a reminder letter that their practising certificate is due to expire. This is sent to the contact details we have. Please let the Council know if any of your contact details change so that you do receive any letters and emails that are sent from the Council.

Please note that for the principal or the most experienced senior registered teacher in a learning centre the affirmation will be made by the employer but if that person is not a fully registered teacher it must be accompanied by the signature of another fully registered teacher who is in a position to assess whether the satisfactory teacher dimensions have been demonstrated.

Please note:
If your registration has expired you will not be eligible to renew your Practising Certificate and will need to reapply for registration.
If you have not completed two years service in the last five in the New Zealand general education system you will not be eligible to renew your Practising Certificate and will need to reapply for registration. If you are an experienced New Zealand teacher, without the necessary N.Z. service, it is likely you will be eligible to apply for registration subject to confirmation.
Day to day relieving does not count as eligible service for renewal of practising certificates. If you have been day-to-day relieving only, over the last 5 years then you will need to reapply for registration. You must reapply for registration using a TC1 form

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