Teacher License UAE: Process, Fees & More

Want to build a career in the UAE educational sector? With a projected annual growth of 8.6% between 2024 and 2029, it attracts teaching professionals from around the globe. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an experienced teacher, the first step is to obtain a teacher license UAE.

The UAE Ministry of Education launched the Teacher Licensing System to ensure that only the best teachers enter the education sector. But how can you apply for this licence? Read ahead to find out more.

Overview of Teacher License UAE
How to Apply for a Certified Teaching Licence
How to Apply for International Licence Recognition
How to Apply for a Transitional Licence
FAQs

Overview of Teacher License in UAE

With numerous public schools and over 200 private schools across the UAE, the demand for qualified teachers continues to rise. This is why teaching has become one of the most in-demand jobs in the UAE. As per Glassdoor, an average teacher in the Emirates can earn between AED 7k and AED 17k per month.

This growing demand presented a challenge in hiring knowledgeable and qualified teachers. For this, the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) initiated the Educational Professions Licensure System, commonly known as the Teacher Licensing System (TLS).

By testing educators’ skills, knowledge and capabilities, they are issued a teacher licence in the UAE. The holders of this licence are eligible to work in public and private schools in Dubai and all across the Emirates.

Types of Educational Licences

Let’s look at the different types of professional licences in the UAE:

Teacher Licence: Issued to all teaching staff, regardless of curriculum and grades.
School Leadership Licence: Issued to employees in leadership positions such as Principals.
School Professions Licence: Issued to non-teaching staff such as Lab Instructors and Librarian Assistants.

Professional Licence Statuses

Each of the aforementioned types is further classified into three statuses:

Certified Licence: A licence that permits holders to teach in any of the UAE’s public and private schools.
Transitional Licence: This licence allows the holders to teach while they prepare for the certified licence.
International Licence: UAE also recognises teaching licences of certain countries.

How to Apply for a Certified Teaching Licence

If you are willing to work in the UAE as a teacher, the first step is to obtain a teaching licence. Here is how to apply for a certified teacher licence in the UAE:

Eligibility Criteria

Before discussing the process, let’s first look at the UAE teaching licence requirements:

Educational Qualifications: Applicants must have a relevant bachelor’s degree equivalent to the UAE’s education system.
Teaching Experience: Most schools consider candidates with at least two years of teaching experience. However, fresh candidates are welcome to apply.
Teacher Preparation Qualification for Subject Teachers: Applicants must have a recognised teacher preparation qualification at the level of a higher diploma or above. Topics covered in the programme leading to the qualification should include:
- Educational Pedagogy
- Curriculum Development and Design
- Learning Assessment
- Classroom Management
- Educational Technology
- Psychology (cognitive, social and physical development)
- Teaching Practice
Language Proficiency: Non-native speakers willing to teach English language or Kindergarten and Primary level students must have an IELTS proficiency certificate. The scores should be as follows:
- For English Teachers: Academic (7.0) or General (7.5)
- For Other Subjects, where English is a medium of instruction: Academic (6.0) or General (6.5)
Medical Fitness: Applications must be declared fit by a UAE authorised medical centre.
Police Clearance: This certificate is required from all the countries the applicant has resided in for the past five years.
Mandatory Professional Development: A teacher must complete a set of mandatory professional development courses. They include:
- Child Protection and Safeguarding
- Dealing with People of Determination
- Diversity
- Moral Education
- Sustainability
- Wellbeing

Required Documents

Gather the following documents for a teacher license in the UAE to avoid any delays in the application process:

Passport
Passport-size photographs
UAE residence visa
Copies of educational certificates. Residents who have studied abroad must submit attested documents by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the relevant embassy in the Emirates.
Medical fitness certificate
Police clearance certificate
Language proficiency certificate (if required)
Good standing certificate (only for employed individuals)
Job contract (if applicable)
CV
Other professional certificate
Additional documents as per requirements

Application Process

Obtaining a teacher licence UAE is hassle-free with the introduction of an online application system. Follow these steps to apply for this licence:

1. TLS Portal Registration

Follow these steps to register yourself on the TLS portal:

Visit the TLS portal on the UAE MoE website.
Go to the signup page.
Provide your personal information, qualifications and references.
Upload your Emirates ID, passport, residency visa, educational certificates, language proficiency certificates, experience letters and police certificate.
Submit the form.
The MoE will then check the authenticity of the documents. This includes credentials verification and reference checks.

2. Teacher Exams Registration

The next step to obtain a teacher licence in the UAE is to register for teacher qualifying exams. Once verified, applicants will receive an email regarding exams and fee payment. Here’s what the exams cover and how you can prepare for them:

These exams are divided into two categories: subject-specific tests and teaching pedagogy tests.
- The subject-specific exams are conducted to evaluate your academic expertise.
- The pedagogy tests assess an educator’s class management skills, student psychology knowledge and engagement tactics.
The MoE offers sample test links to prepare for these exams. You can easily find the sample questions on its official website.

3. Appearing in the Exams

The MoE notifies the test dates to applicants via e-mail. The pedagogy tests are usually conducted in September, while the specific-subject tests are held in May. Depending on your choice, test centres can be online or offline across the UAE.

4. Exam Results Announcement

The results are announced after one to three months of the exam. Applicants who pass this exam receive a teacher licence UAE. However, those who couldn’t meet the passing criteria can reapply after a month. Here’s what you need to know about reapplication:

Applicants can join TLS training courses, ranging from one month to six months.
Every applicant has three chances to clear the exam.
Applicants must wait for one month after the first exam date for reappearance.
If applicants fail to clear the exam in three attempts, they can reapply after six months.

5. Activate Your Licence

Pay the fees for licence issuance using the TLS portal and get your digital copy.

Licence Fees

Here is a breakdown of the teaching licence fees in the UAE:

Exam Fee: AED 250
Issuance Fee: AED 50
Re-attempt Fee: AED 100 for every attempt

Validity

A teacher licence in the UAE is valid for one to three years, depending on factors like test scores and experience.

Licence Renewal

Educators can renew a teacher licence in the UAE as follows:

Ensure licence renewal at least three months before expiry.
Log in to the TLS portal.
Complete the professional training mandated by your employer or the MoE.
Update the qualifications and attach the relevant documents.
Submit the form and wait for renewal.

How to Apply for International Licence Recognition

The MoE also accepts International Licences from certain countries. Under its international licence recognition service, the Ministry issues equivalency certificates to eligible applicants. Here’s how the process works: