QTLS is a Professional Status recognised in the Education sector, which is gained after successfully completing a six-month period of Professional Formation and maintained through membership to the Society for Education and Training.
The Professional Formation programme enables you to show your progression and commitment to excellence within the Further Education and Skills sector. Once you achieve QTLS, you’ll be added to the professional register where future employers can check your status. Achieving QTLS will also allow you to teach in schools on the same terms as QTS.
More than 24,000 professionals have achieved QTLS since its introduction in 2008.
Are you a teacher or trainer working in the Further Education and Skills sector and have you completed your initial teacher training? If the answer is yes, then QTLS could be for you.
Check out what’s involved and whether you’re eligible below before applying.
Unlike a qualification or course, teachers and trainers will undertake a self guided and forward looking period of Professional Formation, before submitting their portfolio to be considered for QTLS.
This requires you to complete an online portfolio demonstrating the skills and knowledge you have gained since your initial teacher training qualification.
The Professional Formation process takes six months.
The nine sections of the Formation Process:
To apply for QTLS status you need to be a SET member and meet the following criteria:
QTLS is reasonably priced at £500.
You can pay this in full or pay a deposit of £125 followed by three further monthly direct debit payments of £125.
If you are a member of SET and meet the eligibility criteria you can register for Professional Formation leading to QTLS during the next registration window.
You can check your eligibility for QTLS at any point, using our online tool.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to nominate a supporter or mentor and then register for the Professional Formation Process.
We have two registration windows:
1 September - 30 September 2022, with portfolios issued in early October.
1 December 2022 - 06 January 2023, with portfolios issued in early January.
The first thing you need to do is make sure you meet the criteria to undertake QTLS. Luckily we have a handy online eligibility checker to help you identify if you are eligible. Once you’ve checked your eligibility and you are confirmed as being eligible you can go ahead and register for QTLS, when the registration window is open.
If you aren’t already a member, you’ll need to join as QTLS is open to members only.
Once the QTLS registration window is open you can register and pay for QTLS. Payment can be made by direct debit, one-off credit card payment or by invoice to your employer.
Ideally your supporter will be someone with whom you have worked closely and who will have observed your teaching and learning practice. They must also hold a teaching qualification.
View activities and deadlines required to achieve QTLS status:
The last step is to complete and submit your online portfolio with your supporter's guidance, within the time frame.
Can my employer pay for my QTLS?
If your employer has agreed to pay the fees, we can issue an invoice. When registering, select 'invoice my employer'.
Can I apply for QTLS if my membership has lapsed?
No, you must be an active member of SET to be able to undertake QTLS.
Is QTLS a qualification?
No. QTLS is a badge of professionalism you achieve after completing the Professional Formation process.
Resources and tools to help you to complete your application for QTLS:
Learn more about the QTLS process from previous participants.
Still have questions? Browse our QTLS Help section with top tips and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).
QTLS is recognised, by law, to hold parity with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Use our handy online tool to find out if you are eligible to apply for QTLS.
Read the full eligibility criteria for applying for QTLS.
Resources and guidance for introducing QTLS to trainee teachers.