QTLS - Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status
The application window for the 2025 programme has now closed. The window for the January 2026 programme will be open 11 August - 20 October 2025. Over the next few months, we are hosting a series of 'What You Need to Know' webinars to support progression to QTLS. See below for further details.
What is QTLS?
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 (SET).
The professional formation programme enables you to show your progression and commitment to excellence within the Further Education (FE) and Skills sector. Once you achieve QTLS, you’ll be added to the professional status register where future employers can check your status.
In addition, QTLS holders who are maintaining this professional status through SET membership, will also attain Qualified Teachers Status (via QTLS status) and will be issued with a Teacher Reference Number (TRN). More information can be found in our TRN FAQs. Members who maintain their QTLS through membership will appear on the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) central record of qualified teachers managed by the Teaching Regulation Agency (members can choose to opt out of both). You can find further details about QTLS and its parity with QTS.
QTLS is designed for teachers and trainers working in the FE and Skills sector.
If you teach in a school, you should undertake QTS as this is specifically designed for teachers in schools. However, QTLS may be an option in exceptional cases if you work in a school but teach a technical/vocational subject to post-14 learners, or where indicated, a technical/vocational subject or maths or English to post-16 learners. Please refer to our list of eligible technical/vocational subjects for school settings where the required age range of learners for each subject is stated.
QTLS - What You Need to Know Webinars
Join our informative online sessions to learn more about eligibility, applications, and the professional formation process. Key dates and milestones will be outlined, and you'll have the opportunity to ask questions about each stage of achieving QTLS.
Find out moreEligibility
Below is the full criteria that you must meet to be suitable to apply for QTLS. There is more information on this in the Eligibility explained section.
1. Be a current member of the Society for Education and Training (SET)
Your membership grade must be MSET (Member) or FSET (Fellow). Find out how to join the Society for Education and Training.
2. Be employed in a Further Education and Skills setting teaching groups of post-14 learners
Find out more about eligible settings, settings not eligible and exceptional circumstances.
3. Must be teaching/training groups of five or more* post-14 learners for a minimum of 230 hours over six months during the professional formation period
The professional formation period is 26 January to 30 June 2026.
* In exceptional circumstances applicants may be able to start with groups that have fewer than five learners
4. Have identified a suitable qualified supporter
Find out who can be a supporter.
5. Hold an eligible Further Education and Skills teaching qualification at Level 5 or above
View the list of accepted qualifications.
6. Hold an accepted Level 2 maths qualification
View the list of accepted qualifications.
7. Hold an accepted Level 2 English qualification
View the list of accepted qualifications.
8. Hold a Level 3+ qualification in subjects that you teach for five or more hours per week
You must hold a minimum of a level 3 qualification
How to apply
How do I apply?
If you are a member of SET (MSET: Member or FSET: Fellow) and meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply during the application window.
The application consists of two stages:
Stage 1
Payment. We will need to process your non-refundable application fee of £50.
Stage 2
Once the payment has been processed, you will be given access to the application portfolio.
Please note that it can take up to five days on average to complete Stage 2, the application portfolio and supplying your evidence. Please ensure you factor this in when applying.
What's involved?
There are four sections which comprise the application stage:
- About you
- Qualifications
- Roles and responsibilities
- Supporting statement (endorsement) submission
Once admitted onto the programme, you will be given access to the professional formation portfolio which consists of eight sections:
- About You
- Updates to qualifications and roles and responsibilities
- Self-assessment
- Professional Development Plan
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD) record
- Critical reflection on impact
- Final action plan
- Final supporting statement submission
How much does it cost?
There is a non-refundable application fee of £50.
If accepted onto the programme, the programme fee is a further £545.
You can pay this programme fee in full or pay a deposit of £155 followed by three further monthly direct debit payments of £130.
When can I apply?
The application window for the 2026 cohort will be open between 11 August and 20 October 2025.
Key dates
The professional formation programme dates are:
Monday 26 January to Tuesday 30 June 2026.
For more information, please see the activity timeline.