Understanding professional update based on your employment status
The Professional Update process might be slightly different for registrants who are retired, undertaking supply work, teaching outwith Scotland or working in national bodies.
Working in local authorities, national bodies, universities or independent schools
It is recognised that not all registrants are involved in day-to-day teaching, although some retain a direct engagement with teaching and learning and/or a responsibility for the assurance of its quality.
The Professional Update process for registrants in such roles will enable them to confirm their continued understanding of relevant aspects of the Professional Standards and engagement in appropriate professional learning
Retired and retiring teachers
If you plan to undertake supply work after retiring, please contact gtcs@gtcs.org.uk so that we can update your details.
You will still need to complete the Professional Update confirmation process every five years, pay the annual registration fee in full, and engage in professional learning and the Professional Review and Development process on an ongoing basis.
Supply teachers
We recognise that some supply teachers can have difficulty accessing aspects of professional learning and the Professional Review and Development process.
Check with your local authority in the first instance, to see what the arrangements are. If you work in more than one local authority, you can nominate one to be your employer.
Lapsed and rejoined
If you lapse from the GTC Scotland Register of Teachers and subsequently rejoin, your year of initial registration with GTC Scotland will determine the designated year of your first completion of the Professional Update sign-off.
College lecturer
For advice on Professional Update for College Lecturers, visit this page.
Teachers not in employment
If you are not currently in employment there are two options which are available to you:
- Maintaining Fully Registered (General) status:
This will allow you to continue to seek employment but in doing so you must meet all of the requirements of the Professional Update process including the sign-off process. Recording of professional learning can be done via MyPL. - Opting to remove yourself from the GTC Scotland register. Find out more about cancelling your registration.
As a fully registered teacher, you are required to update your contact details annually. You can access the online profile through your MyGTCS account to record your professional learning.
To work in a school in Scotland you must have Full (General) Registration. To maintain that status, all teachers are required to engage in the Professional Update (PU) process.
This includes:
- teachers of primary, secondary, Further Education and Additional Support Needs
- retired teachers who wish to remain on the Register
- supply teachers
- registered teachers who work in contexts outside of the classroom, for example in national bodies, universities or in local authority centre roles
Retired and retiring teachers
If you are retired and you plan to undertake supply work after retiring, please get in touch using the contact form so that we can update your details.
Supply teachers
We recognise that for some supply teachers, the experience and access to professional learning and the Professional Review and Development process may be different.
Check with your employer in the first instance to see what the arrangements are. If you work for more than 1 employer, you can nominate 1 to be your employer for the purpose of PU sign-off.
Lapsed and rejoined
If you lapse from the GTC Scotland Register of Teachers and subsequently rejoin, your year of initial registration with GTC Scotland will determine the designated year of your first completion of the Professional Update sign-off.
Teachers not in employment
If you are not currently in employment, you still need to complete Professional Update to remain on the Register of Teachers, unless you choose to move to Fully Registered (Associate) status.
If you choose to maintain Fully Registered (General) Status, you must meet all the requirements of Professional Update, including the sign-off process. This status gives you the option to continue seeking employment.
You can record your professional learning via MyGTCS.
Exemptions
Associate status
If you hold Full Registration (Associate) status (Legacy)
Full Registration (Associate) status is now a legacy registration status, meaning it is still valid but registrants can no longer move to this status.
If you already hold Full Registration (Associate) status, you are only required to:
- update your contact details annually in MyGTCS
- pay the annual registration fee
- maintain the appropriate Professional Values and Personal Commitment set out in the appropriate Professional Standards.
With associate status, you are not expected to confirm Professional Update.
Deferrals
There are some circumstances where you are able to deferral your PU year. Read more on our Deferral eligibility requirements article.
Competency issues
The PU sign-off process is suspended for teachers going through stage 2 competence procedures. You should continue to engage in professional learning and PRD.
To find out more, read the Professional Update policy.
To work in a school in Scotland you must have Full (General) Registration. To maintain that status, all teachers are required to engage in the Professional Update (PU) process.
This includes:
- teachers of primary, secondary, Further Education and Additional Support Needs
- retired teachers who wish to remain on the Register
- supply teachers
- registered teachers who work in contexts outside of the classroom, for example in national bodies, universities or in local authority centre roles
Retired and retiring teachers
If you are retired and you plan to undertake supply work after retiring, please get in touch using the contact form so that we can update your details.
Supply teachers
We recognise that for some supply teachers, the experience and access to professional learning and the Professional Review and Development process may be different.
Check with your employer in the first instance to see what the arrangements are. If you work for more than 1 employer, you can nominate 1 to be your employer for the purpose of PU sign-off.
Lapsed and rejoined
If you lapse from the GTC Scotland Register of Teachers and subsequently rejoin, your year of initial registration with GTC Scotland will determine the designated year of your first completion of the Professional Update sign-off.
Teachers not in employment
If you are not currently in employment, you still need to complete Professional Update to remain on the Register of Teachers, unless you choose to move to Fully Registered (Associate) status.
If you choose to maintain Fully Registered (General) Status, you must meet all the requirements of Professional Update, including the sign-off process. This status gives you the option to continue seeking employment.
You can record your professional learning via MyGTCS.
Exemptions
Associate status
If you hold Full Registration (Associate) status (Legacy)
Full Registration (Associate) status is now a legacy registration status, meaning it is still valid but registrants can no longer move to this status.
If you already hold Full Registration (Associate) status, you are only required to:
- update your contact details annually in MyGTCS
- pay the annual registration fee
- maintain the appropriate Professional Values and Personal Commitment set out in the appropriate Professional Standards.
With associate status, you are not expected to confirm Professional Update.
Deferrals
There are some circumstances where you are able to deferral your PU year. Read more on our Deferral eligibility requirements article.
Competency issues
The PU sign-off process is suspended for teachers going through stage 2 competence procedures. You should continue to engage in professional learning and PRD.
To find out more, read the Professional Update policy.