Your Step‑by‑Step Guide to NZ Teacher Registration & Certification

If you want to teach in Aotearoa New Zealand, you will need both teacher registration and a practising certificate issued by the Teaching Council of New Zealand. Registration confirms you meet the professional and ethical standards of the profession, while a practising certificate is what legally allows you to teach and must be kept current. 

Below is a streamlined overview of the process for both local and overseas‑trained teachers.

Registration and Practising Certificates

• Registration and certification work together but serve different functions. Registration confirms you are suitable to join the profession and does not expire unless cancelled. However, you cannot teach with registration alone. 
• Your practising certificate is the document that gives you permission to work in schools or ECE settings. New teachers usually begin with a Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate, which can later be progressed to a Full certificate once teaching requirements are met.

When You Can Apply

You can apply for registration once you have completed—or are eligible to complete—your Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme.

Teachers trained overseas may need their qualification assessed by NZQA through a Teaching International Qualifications Assessment (IQA) if it is not already recognised. This assessment ensures your qualification aligns with New Zealand ITE standards. 

What You Need for Your Application

To complete your application, you will need:

• Certified proof of identity that meets Children’s Act requirements. 
• Certified teaching qualification or eQuals link. 
• NZ Police vetting. Overseas‑trained teachers must also provide police certificates for any country lived in for 12+ months over the last 10 years. 
• A health declaration confirming you are fit to teach. 
• Commitment to developing and practising te reo me ngā tikanga Māori. 

Overseas teachers may also need additional items such as transcripts, supervised practicum evidence, professional status documents, English language competency, and a CV tailored for New Zealand. 

Getting Set Up Online

Before applying, you will need to set up both a My Rawa login and an Educator Sector Login (ESL), which provide access to the Teaching Council’s online portal. 

Submitting Your Application

Applications are completed online through My Rawa. You begin by selecting “My Login” on the Teaching Council website. You can apply for registration and your first practising certificate at the same time. Once submitted, the Teaching Council conducts police vetting and reviews your documents. 

What Happens After Approval

Once approved, you will be registered and receive your practising certificate. Registration remains valid unless cancelled, but your practising certificate must be renewed at the required intervals. 

Additional Steps for Overseas Teachers

For international teachers, the full process—from IQA to registration, securing a job offer, and obtaining a visa—can take around six months. Preparing all documents early helps avoid delays. 

A job offer is required before applying for a work visa, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa or the Straight to Residence Visa (where eligible). 

Final Tips

Uploading all required documents at the same time helps speed up the application.
For overseas candidates, ensure all certificates, transcripts, and practicum documentation are certified correctly before you begin.