Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) is the regulatory body responsible for registering, licensing and regulating every teacher practicing in Nigeria.
See all you need to know, from who can register for TRCN and how, to TRCN exam dates and venues, to result checking and validity, with TRCN certificate and license collection as well as renewal processes.
What TRCN registration means
TRCN registration is a legal requirement for all Nigerian teachers, at any level of education and in any type of school, public or private, according to the TRCN Act CAP T3 of 2004.
Teaching without registration is an offence under this Act, and TRCN has the authority to identify and act against unqualified or unregistered teachers.
Registration puts you in one of these four categories based on your academic qualification.
| Category | Qualification |
|---|---|
| A | – PhD in Education. – PhD in any other field but with an education qualification. |
| B | – Masters in Education. – Masters in any other field but with an education qualification. |
| C | – Degree in Education. – Degree any other field but with PGDE, PDE or NCE. |
| D | – Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) |
You must hold a teaching qualification not lower than NCE to qualify for registration.
TRCN accept foreign teaching qualifications, provided they also meet NCE standards.
Benefits of TRCN registration
Registering with TRCN BRINGS BENEFITS beyond just meeting a legal requirement.
A registered teacher gains official recognition as a “professional” and a place on the national Teachers Register, which many employers now check before hiring or promoting teaching staff.
TRCN has also become a condition for accessing government welfare packages for teachers.
Beyond employment and welfare access, registration gives you entry into TRCN’s Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) system.
This supports ongoing skill development throughout your teaching career and the right standing to participate in TRCN membership activities.
TRCN registration in Nigeria
Registration happens in two separate steps.
- First, you sit and pass the Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE).
But passing the PQE alone doesn’t register you.
- Second, after passing, you pay a separate registration fee to be formally entered on the Teachers Register and issued a Certificate of Registration.
You can register through your STATE TRCN OFFICE, the education faculty of an accredited college of education or university or via TRCN Teacher Portal.
Online registration requires your full name (as it appears on official records), your email address, phone number, 11-digit NIN and your highest qualification certificate.
TRCN accepts statement of result if the certificate is unavailable.
Exam fees for the PQE differ by category and are paid via Remita on the TRCN Teacher Portal.
TRCN review these fees often so, check the CURRENT FEES HERE before making payment.
The same applies to the registration fees too, paid separately after you pass.
TRCN exam format
The PQE is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) covering five core areas:
- Pedagogy
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- ICT
- Safeguarding
You may sit the standard PQE, the iPQE (International Professional Qualifying Examination) or PQEi (Professional Qualifying Examination Integrated) depending on your registration pathway.
Registration for TRCN outside Nigeria
You’re still required to register with TRCN even if you’re based abroad or trained as a teacher outside Nigeria.
But you don’t need to be resident in Nigeria or secure a teaching job to begin the application.
You only need:
- a teaching qualification from an accredited institution
- a completed application form
- your degree certificate
- proof of teaching experience
- a police clearance certificate from your country of residence
The process involves registering on TRCN website, paying via the portal and waiting for TRCN to review your application.
Upon successful application, you’re booked for the exam which is fully online (to be done on your computer) without you travelling back to Nigeria.
TRCN exam dates
The PQE is conducted in two batches throughout the year, usually in May and November.
Colleges and universities run more batches depending on their population per graduating set.
This means your exam date is either set by the school or the TRCN office where you registered.
One college of education can take PQE in January, another in February at a different venue, and a university can extend its own deadline independent of other centres.
Because dates vary, the most reliable way to find your exact exam date is to check the notice from your dashboard on the Teacher Portal.
TRCN exam venues
There is no single central TRCN exam venue.
The PQE is held in TRCN STATE CENTRES across the country, with each candidate assigned to the venue.
You’re free to choose an exam centre in any state in Nigeria, provided you’ll be available for the exam in that state.
On exam day, arrive at your centre at least 30 minutes early with your exam slip and a valid ID.
Electronic devices are not permitted in the hall.
Materials for TRCN exam success
Our study pack covers the 5 areas tested in TRCN exam with past questions so you can focus on your category where the content differs.
Alongside the past questions, our TRCN SYLLABUS breaks down what each area covers.
So, your study time goes to what will actually be tested.
Because PQE is computer-based and timed, practice under similar conditions (TRCN CBT) rather than just PDF alone (which are untimed).
Checking your result
TRCN results are published on your dashboard within the Teacher Portal once grading is complete.
You’ll also receive a notification by both email and SMS.
Our guide on HOW TO CHECK YOUR TRCN RESULT ONLINE walks through the exact, entire steps.
TRCN result validity
TRCN exam result is only valid for one year.
If you don’t complete your certificate process within that one year period, you’ll have to register and take the exam again from scratch.
So, passing the exam is not the finish line.
Once your result is out, START THE CERTIFICATE COLLECTION process immediately.
TRCN certificate
After passing the exam and making payment, TRCN gives you a “Certificate of Registration”.
This certificate is what confirms your status as a registered professional teacher in Nigeria.
Certificate fee is separate from your exam fee.
And the amount depends on your category.
One related fee worth knowing is the Letter of Professional Standing, a document required for most teaching opportunities abroad.
This is separate from your TRCN certificate and carries its own fee.
TRCN license
Separate from your Certificate of Registration, TRCN also issues a practicing License.
This license is renewed just like other professions.
However, you’re required to pay for the first 3 years of the license at your initial collection, after which, it is renewed yearly.
But renewal is not automatic just because time has passed.
You must have paid your annual dues and meet the minimum MCPD point requirement to qualify for renewal.
What is MCPD for TRCN renewal?
Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) is a requirement tied to TRCN license renewal.
To maintain your eligibility for license renewal, you must earn a minimum number of MCPD credit units within each licensing period, through training providers accredited by TRCN.
Accredited providers include NGOs, universities, teacher training institutes and education-focused organizations.
Activities that count toward MCPD credits are workshops, seminars, online courses, conferences, research publications and community service.
License renewal also depends on maintaining good conduct and regular participation in TRCN membership activities, alongside annual dues payments.
Your license may not be renewed if you fail to meet MCPD requirements.
Credits are tracked on the TRCN MCPD Portal, where you register for programs, complete the requirements and have credits added to your profile.
How to renew TRCN license
Renewal can be completed online by:
- Log in to the Teacher Portal.
- Select the License section.
- Follow the renewal path finder.
- Choose the option confirming you already hold a TRCN registration and certificate.
- Follow subsequent prompts to make payment.
You can also visit any TRCN office for in-person assistance.
TRCN offices nationwide
TRCN operates nationwide with the headquarters in Abuja and offices in every state.
| Zone | States Covered |
|---|---|
| North Central | Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, FCT |
| North East | Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe |
| North West | Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara |
| South East | Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo |
| South South | Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers |
| South West | Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti |
Each state has its own TRCN state office to provide support and supervision of TRCN activities in that state, including coordinating PQE sittings and monitoring MCPD compliance.
Registration is online, not at the office.
Your visit to any TRCN office, including the Abuja headquarters, should be for an in-person assistance or support with the online process.
For a full list of office locations and contact details, see our TRCN OFFICES IN NIGERIA page.
How to use this guide
If you’re just starting, begin with registration and exam prep.
But if you’re already registered, check out license renewal or LoPS for relocation.
Click any topic below to see the full guide.
Online TRCN groups
