Teacher Reference Number (TRN) FAQs

If assigned a TRN and my SET membership either lapses or I decide to resign it, will my TRN/name still be on the DfE’s central record of qualified teachers?

Yes, once allocated a TRN, you keep your number indefinitely. To maintain your QTLS status you need to be an active SET member, you will be listed on SET’s Professional Status Register and the DfE’s central record of qualified teachers, managed by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). If your SET membership lapses or is resigned, your entry on SET’s Professional Status Register will be removed. Your record on the DfE’s central record of qualified teachers remains but will reflect that you are not a qualified teacher.

Will the allocation of a TRN enable SET members to be recognised as a qualified Further Education (FE) and Skills teacher in Wales and seek employment in Wales?

Active SET members who have achieved Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status and who have been allocated a TRN will be recognised as qualified teachers in England. This recognition does not extend to other parts of the UK.

Is it possible to be granted a TRN but opt out of appearing on the DfE's central record of qualified teachers?

In order to receive a TRN, you must be added to the DfE’s central record of qualified teachers. It includes every person with a TRN, and indicates whether they hold qualified teacher status (QTS).   

You can opt out of receiving a TRN and appearing on the DfE’s central record of qualified teachers. If you do opt out, employers using DfE’s digital services will not be able to confirm you hold QTS via QTLS status and active SET membership.  

If you do not want to be issued with a TRN and appear on DfE records, you will need to notify SET as soon as possible by emailing dataprotection@etfoundation.co.uk. We will then ensure your data is not shared with the DfE and you will not be allocated a TRN for the purposes of recording that you hold QTS via QTLS status and active SET membership.  

If you already have a TRN for purposes of recording that you hold QTS via QTLS status and active SET membership, and no longer wish to appear on the DfE’s central record of qualified teachers, please:

Email tra.ICAT@education.gov.uk

Confirm in that email the details that you want removed

There may be some conditions in which the DfE cannot delete the data they hold (e.g. data linked to pensionable service). Please allow up to 15 working days for an initial reply to your enquiry. You can find more information about how the DfE process your data at Privacy information: education providers’ workforce, including teachers - GOV.UK.

I was issued a TRN a few years ago, however the configuration of the number is different to that of teachers who hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). I was told by a representative at Teachers’ Pension Scheme that the configuration of the TRN I hold indicates ‘unqualified teacher’. Will I be given a new TRN?

Having a TRN is not in itself evidence of being a qualified teacher nor does its configuration indicate whether someone is, or is not, a qualified teacher. A teacher only ever has one TRN, and that number is retained indefinitely. If you already have a TRN, you should not therefore be allocated a new one. You can find out more about TRNs at on the government's TRN webpage.

Once members have been added to the DfE’s central record of qualified teachers and given a TRN, will members need to continue paying for membership with SET every month?

Yes, in order to maintain your QTLS status and appear on SET’s Professional Status Register you must be an active SET member. If your membership lapses, you will no longer appear on SET’s Professional Status Register and your record in the DfE’s central record of qualified teachers will reflect that you are not a qualified teacher. You will however retain your TRN.

I already have a TRN, does this mean should I achieve QTLS in the future it will be linked to my existing TRN number? Does this also mean QTLS status will be visible on DfE digital services?

Yes, if you achieve QTLS status in the future, and you maintain your SET membership, and you consent to data sharing with the DfE, then your record on the DfE’s central record of qualified teachers will reflect that you hold QTS as long as your SET membership continues to be active. This is because you must hold both QTLS and active SET membership, so the date QTS is attained is taken from whichever date is the latter.

When will I receive my TRN?

We are currently working with the DfE to facilitate this. Eligible members will be notified in due course. If you require a TRN urgently, please speak to your employer in the first instance.

To obtain a TRN as a QTLS holder, your employer needs to contact Capita Teachers' Pensions and request that one is allocated to you. Your employer should know how to do this via the Teachers’ Pensions employer portal. Teachers’ Pensions will then contact SET to confirm the date when QTLS was awarded to you, so that a reference number can be allocated. Please note that as SET is not an employer, we are unable to make the request to Teachers’ Pensions on your behalf.

Please note that you cannot apply for a TRN yourself, your employer must do this on your behalf. Pass on the following information to your employer. Likely, the HR or Finance departments are best placed to support you, if they deal with Teachers Pensions.

Instructions for the Employer:

Put together a word document containing the teacher’s personal information (FULL NAME, GENDER, DoB, NI NO, HOME ADDRESS, START DATE OF SCHEME).
Once the file has been constructed, please upload this via the Teachers Pension Employer Portal > Upload a File.
Once the file has been uploaded, please take a screenshot of the Upload History which is on the Upload a File tab, the screenshot should contain: DATA CENTRE, DATE & TIME, FILE NAME.
Insert this screenshot into an email to TPSTU@teacherspensions.co.uk and ask Teachers Pensions to set up a new record for a teacher who has just qualified.

I have just rejoined SET, when will I get my TRN and my QTS certificate?

Individuals with QTLS who rejoin after their membership lapses will be notified by SET of their TRN within 2-4 weeks if there is an automatic match between the data we share and the data the DfE already holds for you. If records cannot be automatically matched, then you should allow a further 4 weeks for your TRN. During busy times (September to November) please allow up to 6 weeks.

Within 2 weeks of you receiving your TRN from SET, DfE will contact you to explain how you can view your record at Access your teaching qualifications - GOV.UK. If you are not already registered, you will be able to sign up to this service and then download your qualified teacher status (QTS) certificate. Please note that the date QTS is attained will be linked to your latest membership join date – not the date you were awarded QTLS. This is because you must hold both QTLS and active SET membership, so the date QTS is attained is taken from whichever date is the latter.

What data will be shared with the TRA and how will it be used?

With the SET member’s permission, the following data will be shared with the DfE, this will facilitate the issue of a TRN for individuals, who have achieved QTLS, and are maintaining this professional status through SET membership.

Name (first name and last name)

Email address

Date of birth

Current date you have held both QTLS and consistent active SET membership from

Your email address, date of birth and the date QTLS status was awarded will not be shared on SET’s Professional Status Register.

The DfE’s central record of qualified teachers will not share your email address, but will share your name, date of birth and the date QTLS was awarded and consistent active SET membership from, where they use that date to determine you are a qualified teacher. All data will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and in compliance with SET’s Privacy Policy, the DfE’s privacy policy, and General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

I am due to complete my Professional Formation leading to QTLS Status, when will I receive my TRN and my QTS certificate?

We will notify the DfE of all successful QTLS awardees, mid-late August. Members will be notified of their TRN by SET circa 2-4 weeks later, if your record is automatically matched with those the DfE may already hold. If there is not an automatic match, the issue of your TRN may take a bit longer – you should allow a further 4-6 weeks.

Within 2 weeks of you receiving your TRN from SET, DfE will contact you to explain how you can view your record at Access your teaching qualifications - GOV.UK. If you are not already registered, you will be able to sign up to this service and then download your qualified teacher status (QTS) certificate.

The date on my QTS via QTLS certificate is incorrect.

Your QTS date is linked to the date you last joined SET if this was after you achieved QTLS status. If your membership has been continuous, the date will be the date your QTLS was awarded. This is because you must hold both QTLS status and active SET membership to hold QTS, so the date QTS is attained is taken from whichever date is the latter.

If you think the date is incorrect, please contact us on membership@etfoundation.co.uk so that we can look into this for you.

How can I access my QTS via QTLS status certificate?

Within 2 weeks of SET advising you of your TRN, DfE will contact you to explain how you can view your record at Access your teaching qualifications - GOV.UK. If you are not already registered, you will be able to sign up to this service and then download your qualified teacher status (QTS) certificate.

How quickly does the DfE update its central record of qualified teachers if my membership lapses?

When your SET membership lapses we will notify the DfE and they will update your record immediately to show you no longer hold QTS via QTLS and active SET membership. This will be shared with employers and other stakeholders if they use DfE services to view your record, and you will no longer be able to access a QTS certificate. You should delete any copies of downloaded certificates that advised you previously held QTS.

You will receive a notification from the DfE that this change has been implemented – you should allow up to three weeks to receive this communication. If you achieved QTS through an accredited route then you will continue to hold QTS, despite your SET membership lapsing. However, you will have lost your exemption induction, if you relied on maintaining SET membership alongside holding QTLS, for the purposes of employment in relevant schools in England.

I've logged into the DfE's 'Access your teaching qualifications service' - I can see my QTLS status but not my ATS - is this right?

The DfE will only show that you hold QTS via QTLS status and active SET membership. As ATS is not linked to QTS, your ATS will not be shown. Your ATS will however be listed in your entry on SET’s Professional Status Register which is available to employers, recruiters and the general public.

I have a question for the DfE about my TRN, how can I contact them?

Members can email the DfE using the email you have registered with SET - teaching.status@service.education.gov.uk and the subject line ‘SET member (TRN)’

Please include the following in addition to your query to help the DfE identify your record:

Your TRN (if known)

Full name

Any previous name(s)

Date of birth

National Insurance Number

I have been issued with a TRN by SET when I already have one, what should I do?

In a small number of cases, members who already hold a TRN may be assigned a new TRN when we share their data with the DfE. If this affects you, please continue to use any pre-existing TRN you are aware of for any activity it was being used for (e.g., contributions to the Teachers’ Pensions scheme). This issue will not have a substantive impact on any previous/future pension contributions, or the ability to evidence your professional standing with the DfE.

To resolve this issue – please email the DfE using the email you have registered with SET on: teaching.status@service.education.gov.uk with the subject line: ‘SET member allocated multiple TRNs’. State you are affected by the issue of ‘multiple TRNs’, and include in the body of the email your:

TRNs (i.e., the one recently allocated and any others you are aware of)

Full name

Any previous name(s)

Date of birth

National Insurance Number

The DfE will aim to respond to you within 15 working days.

Why is the date on my QTS certificate not the date I achieved QTLS?

Individuals who hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) only by virtue of achieving Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status must maintain their Society for Education and Training (SET) membership for their QTS to be continuous and comply with the regulations for parity in schools. If their SET membership ceases that parity ends, and if their membership is renewed, parity starts again from that date.

DfE must record accurate data to comply with the regulations. If SET membership lapses it would be inaccurate to imply that person has held QTS since they achieved QTLS (as this would cover a period where they did not hold QTS), and this would be misleading to employers or other organisations that rely on DfE data.

Why do I have to pay membership fees when colleagues who have achieved QTS through an accredited route don't? This doesn't feel like 'parity'?

Legal parity relates to employment in maintained schools in England, to ensure those QTLS holders who maintain their membership of SET are given full recognition as qualified teachers. It does not extend beyond that. You can read more here.

Regulations stipulate that you must hold both QTLS status and active SET membership to attain qualified teacher status (QTS). As the professional body for the Further Education and Skills sector, membership fees are therefore applicable. In addition to attaining QTS, you will also be able to use the post nominals associated with your grade of membership (i.e. Member = MSET, QTLS), plus you will have access to a range of benefits and services, including free and low-cost CPD to support your ongoing professional development.

I have achieved QTS through an accredited route and through QTLS status and SET membership. What happens if my SET membership lapses?

Individuals who have achieved QTS through both an accredited route, and via QTLS and active SET membership, will not lose their QTS if their membership lapses, as this has been achieved through the accredited route. However, individuals in these circumstances will lose their exemption from induction, for the purposes of employment in relevant schools in England, until or unless they renew their SET membership.

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Teacher Reference Number (TRN) FAQs