Guiding you with your next career move

Comparing Professional statuses for the Further Education and Skills Sector

Thousands of professionals in the Further Education and Skills sector have chosen to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills Status (QTLS) and Advanced Teacher Status (ATS).
These industry recognised statuses can be pivotal to building teaching practice or developing your leadership, and there’s a status to support your next move.

Qualified Teacher
Learning and Skills

Professional recognition. Practical progression.
This status demonstrates your dedication to your continuing professionalism following ITE graduation. This is a popular choice for early career practitioners.

Explore today! The deadline for applications is approaching - 20 October
Find out about QTLS

Advanced
Teacher Status

Professional recognition. Practical progression.
This status is aimed at demonstrating the depth of experience and wide-reaching impact of sector teachers, trainers and aspiring leaders.

Explore today! The deadline for applications is approaching - 30 September.
Find out about ATS

ARE YOU

ELIGIBLE?

Status application checklist - These are some of the key criteria we check to see if it is suitable for a sector professional to undertake the programmes to gain their preferred status:  

QTLS
ATS
Hold SET Membership
Work in FE and Skills sector teaching post-14+ year olds
Be teaching groups of 5+ for 230 hours between 26 January to June 2026
Be teaching groups of learners 5+ for a minimum of 320 hours for the length of the programme
Have identified a suitable, qualified supporter
Have identified a suitable mentor
Be able to get an endorsement from a senior leader in your organisation
Hold FE and Skills Qualification to Level 5+
4+ years if you hold QTLS/QTS.

5+ years if you do not hold QTLS/QTS.
Hold accepted maths and English qualifications Level 2+
Hold accepted qualification for the main subject(s) you teach to Level 3+
Hold accepted qualification for the subject(s) you teach for more than 5 hours a week to Level 3+
If you are delivering teacher training programmes, you will be required to be a teacher/trainer with at least 4 years-experience post Initial Teacher Education  
Be able to demonstrate a positive impact on learners or colleagues
Be in a position to coach/mentor qualified colleagues in a teaching position as part of your role
Be able to influence departmental, middle or senior level teaching and learning strategies within your organisation and evidence the outcome/impact
If you are delivering teacher training programmes, you will be required to be a teacher/trainer with at least 4 years-experience post Initial Teacher Education  
If you deliver teacher training programmes for 5+ hours per week, in addition to a subject specific qualification, you must also demonstrate that you have a minimum of five years' teaching experience within FE and Skills.
Discover which path fits you

Want to support your team?

As a manager, you can enhance the skillset and confidence of your team by supporting them to undertake the QTLS or ATS programmes.

Find out how we can develop your team

How we can support you:

We appreciate that you will want to consider how QTLS and ATS can further your career and if now is the best time for you to apply. 

With QTLS you can achieve benefits enjoyed already by over 27,000 of your peers

Our experienced customer service team can guide you about:

Key eligibility criteria and requirements
Level 2 maths and English qualifications accepted from our approved list
ITE qualifications from the approved list
Whether your teaching practice indicates your suitability to apply for one of our Professional Statuses
For some questions, our team may ask colleagues from our Professional Standards team for further guidance.

It is also important to be aware that our team can provide extra advice and information only. They are not able to confirm whether or not your application will be successful.
Good to talk
Our team can give you advice and guidance as you consider applying for Professional statuses.
Please call
0800 093 9111
(Mon – Fri, 9.30am to 5pm).

Want to email

a question?

Please contact our membership team who can advise about Professional Statuses and membership:
membership@etfoundation.co.uk