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?

No, it is not; 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 are, or are not, a qualified teacher.

Please note, if you do opt out, employers using DfE services will not be able to confirm you are a qualified teacher due to being an active SET member with QTLS.

If you do not want to appear on DfE records, you will need to notify SET by emailing dataprotection@etfoundation.co.uk. We will then ensure your data is not shared with the TRA and you will not be allocated a TRN.

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 as I pay into the Teacher Pension Scheme through my employer, 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 in the future, and you maintain an active 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 are a qualified teacher. The DfE make this information available to relevant stakeholders through their digital services.

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.

If I leave SET then rejoin, when will I get my TRN?

SET is working with the DfE to issue a Teacher Reference Number (TRN) to all eligible members i.e. those who have achieved QTLS status and are maintaining this status through their SET membership. The timeline for this is likely to be November 2024; eligible members will therefore be contacted in due course.

If you have QTLS and your SET membership lapses prior to the data share, your data will not be added to the DfE’s central record of qualified teachers, and a TRN will not be issued.

If you have QTLS and your SET membership lapses after a TRN has been allocated, your record on SET’s Professional Status Register will be deleted. Your TRN and your record on the DfE’s central record of qualified teachers remains but will reflect that you are not a qualified teacher due to your SET membership having lapsed.

If you have QTLS when you rejoin SET, your record on SET’s Professional Status Register will be reinstated and if you have not had a TRN issued, with your consent, your details will be shared with the DfE to enable a TRN to be allocated (likely from November onwards). Once allocated, your TRN will appear in your MySET online dashboard. Please allow up to five working days. The DfE’s central record of qualified teachers will reflect that you are a qualified teacher as long as SET membership is maintained.

If you reactivate your SET membership at any time after a TRN has been allocated due to having QTLS, then your DfE record will update to reflect that you are a qualified teacher.

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).