Apply for a Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate

Teaching practicum evidence 

A practicum is an in-classroom experience completed during your teacher training. It may also be known as internship, school placement, practical teaching or school-based training. 

Evidence can be provided from the university, school, or college in the form of an official letter. It should contain the following details: 

• Practicum length. 
• Age of learners. 
• Type of institution practicum was completed at. 
• Brief description of practicum component. 

Teaching experience 

The Teaching Council can consider overseas teaching experience in settings similar to New Zealand schools.  

You'll need to provide a testimonial or reference letter from a professional leader, principal, supervisor, head of department, or line manager. It also: 

• must be on an official school letter head signed and dated 
• include information about your role in the organisation, your professional practice, responsibilities you held, and anything else they think may be relevant.  
• must be within the last 10 years. 

If unable to provide a testimonial you may provide a certificate of employment as evidence of employment. 

The professional leader may want to review the Ngā Paerewa | Standards as guidelines to reflect your teaching practice within the testimonial. 

Formal assessment 

This is evidence of your most recent appraisal documentation, lesson observations, or performance management documentation/reviews. Common documents from countries include: 

• Philippines – IPCRF. 
• South Africa – QMS. 
• Fiji – myAPA. 

If formal appraisals aren’t common in the country you have been teaching, you can provide a statement from a professional leader or principal explaining the informal appraisal process. 

Professional development 

This is evidence of continued education or professional development. List any workshops, training, or courses you’ve completed since your initial teacher qualification. You don’t need to include certificates, just the names and dates. 

Supervised teaching experience or induction 

Induction is the broad term for all support and guidance (including mentoring) provided to newly graduated/beginner teachers. If you’ve completed a supervised induction programme, we recommend submitting evidence through a detailed statement from your mentor teacher such as:  

• Structure and content of the programme. 
• How often you met with your mentor. 
• How often your teaching was observed. 
• Standards you were expected to meet. 

Similar induction and mentoring programmes to New Zealand: 

• England – Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) year. Accepted evidence is the Induction certificate from Department of Education. 
• Scotland – Full registration with General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC Scotland). 
• Republic of Ireland – Droichead. Accepted evidence Full registration with the Teaching Council Ireland. 

Supervised teaching experience is only considered if you've completed your Initial Teacher Education (ITE). It is not compulsory for registration or certification. 

Professional status 

If you hold a teacher license or registration in another country, you can submit a letter of professional standing. 

Common documents include: 

• Fiji – Fiji Teachers Registration Authority (FTRA) licence. 
• South Africa – South African Council of Educators. 
• Philippines – Professional Regulation Commission licence. 
• USA – State licence. 
• Canada – Province teacher registration licence. 
• United Kingdom – Quality Teacher Status (QTS). 

The Teaching Council is aware not all countries have a professional teaching body.