FAQs: All you need to know about the UAE teachers licence

The Ministry of Education launched the first phase of the UAE teachers licensing in March 2018

A teacher shepherds young students at a school in Ras Al Khaimah. Jaime Puebla / The National

What’s the name of the UAE teacher licence programme?

It used to be called Teacher and Educational Leadership Standards (Tels) and Licensing programme. However, the Ministry of Education shortened the name to Teachers Licensing System (TLS).

Who is eligible to apply for a UAE teachers licence?

For now, only Cycle 3 Arabic, English, maths, physics, chemistry and biology teachers working in Government high schools or private high schools that deliver the Ministry of Education curriculum have been invited to register for the first phase of the teachers licensing system, which began in March 2018.

But aren’t all teachers supposed to be licensed?

Yes, by the end of 2020, all principals, vice principals, cluster managers and teachers working across all public and private schools in the UAE will have to hold a UAE teacher’s license to legally work in the country. The MOE said it will expand registration for TLS to additional grades and curriculums in the coming months.

I am a Cycle 3 Arabic, English, maths, physics, chemistry or biology teacher working in a Government or an MOE curriculum-private high school. How can I apply?

If you are among the 5,076 teachers selected by the MOE to participate in the first phase of registration, you will receive an email this month directing you to a website where you can register your personal information and upload your professional and academic credentials.

What does it cost to register?

For now, there is no charge to register for the Teachers Licensing System.

I have completed my online Teachers Licensing System registration. What now?

In April, you will have to sit for an exam to measure how proficient you are in the subject you teach. The MOE will send you an email with details about the day and time you can write your specialisation test. For now, this test is only available for the subjects of Arabic, English, maths, physics, chemistry and biology, however, the MOE is working on expanding the number of subject tests across all grades in the coming months.

Then, in September, you will have to write a professional test to assess your knowledge of UAE culture and heritage, teaching ethics, classroom management and other standards related to pedagogy.

What if I fail the tests?

You will have two more chances to pass. But before you can re-write the tests, you will be required to enrol for training tailored to your specific needs, which will be determined by your test scores. The training will vary in length from about one month to six months.

Where can I get training?

Training programmes are being developed by the MOE in partnership with local institutions. The MOE will release the names of the training institutes it has partnered with after it has issued the first tests in April and September.

What if I pass the tests?

You will earn your UAE teachers license, which may be valid between one to three years, depending on your qualifications, test scores and experience.

I heard that expatriate teachers who were already licensed in English-speaking countries could be fast-tracked through the UAE licensing system. Is this true?

The MOE said it is still working on establishing equivalencies for expatriate teachers who hold a teaching qualification from some foreign countries. For now, all teachers will follow the same procedure to be licensed.

Where can I get more information about the Teachers Licensing System?

The MOE recently launched https://tls.moe.gov.ae/ in English and Arabic.

Where can I get information about teaching opportunities with the MOE?

Visit http://erecruitment.moeuae.ae.

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Read more:

Registration for UAE teacher training programme opens in February

Teacher licence scheme ‘must be rigorous’

Fewer than half of teachers pass licensing