Requirements for TSC number registration and employment

The Teacher Service Commission (TSC) is established by the Kenya Constitution 2010 article 237 to manage teacher issues in the education system in Kenya. One of the main functions of the TSC commission is to register all teachers who are operating in Kenya whether employed by the government or not. It is also mandated to recruit and employ teachers in primary and secondary schools and other institutions that the TSC manages.

To achieve this mandate there are established guidelines and requirements for registration as a teacher and recruitment. The guidelines are also used when students want to enroll in teacher school to be trained as teachers.

To register as a teacher in Kenya you are required to have a Diploma or Bachelor’s in education in the respective area of specialization. You should also meet all other general requirements as set out by TSC.

Requirements for registration as a teacher in Kenya

To be registered to practice as a professional teacher in Kenya you should have the following minimum requirements as per TSC guidelines. The guideline includes teachers in public and private institutions, citizens, and non-citizens.

Kenyan Citizens.

1. Certificate of Good Conduct
2. Relevant academic and professional certificates from recognized institutions
3. Copy of Identity Card or Passport
4. Passport photo
5. KRA Pin Certificate
6. Duly filled GP 69 Medical Form
7. Payment of registration fee; Non-refundable fee of Kshs. 1050/-

Non-Kenyan Citizens

1. Academic and Professional Certificates and other evidence for registration as a teacher obtained in Kenya or the country of origin. Academic and Professional Certificates. NB: Must have been awarded by an accredited foreign institution and equated by the relevant public body in Kenya.
2. Certificate of Registration as a teacher or authority to teach in the country of origin.
3. A valid Entry / Work Permit issued by the Department of Immigration.
4. Valid Certificate of Good Conduct issued by the relevant law enforcement agency in the country of origin.
5. Vetting letter from the Ministry of Education (Kenya)
6. Payment of registration fee; Non-refundable fee of Kshs. 1055/-

Please note that TSC registration is purely done online through the TSC portal

Academic and professional requirements for TSC registration

A person can be registered to be a teacher depending on their qualification. These requirements are the same that are used when enrolling for the respective courses in accredited universities and colleges that offer teacher education.

Below are the minimum qualifications for registration.

Grade	Academic requirements for registration
Requirements for ECDE teachers	Certificate Minimum of CPE/KCPE plus ECDE Certificate from KNEC.Minimum mean grade D+(Plus) at KCSE and ECDE Certificate from KNEC.Minimum mean grade D (Plain) at KCSE, KNEC proficiency certificate, ECDE Certificate from KNEC Diploma. Diploma Mean grade C (Plain) at KCSE and ECDECertificate from KNEC.Mean grade C+ (Plus) and above for University Diploma. Degree Mean grade C+ (Plus) and above
PTE	Minimum grade C Plain in KCSE and above PTE Certificate from KNECMean grade of C- (minus) for visually and hearing impaired persons
Diploma in Education	Minimum grade C+( Plus) in KCSE and above and C+ (Plus) in the two subjects SpecializationMinimum grade C Plain in KCSE and above.At least C (Plain) in English C (plain) in Mathematics for Science-based Courses D+( plus) in Mathematics in non-science-based courses
Requirements for diploma in special needs education	Minimum grade C (Plain) in KCSE and Above.At least C Minus in English.C- (Minus) in Mathematics for Science-based courses.D (Plain) in Mathematics in non-science-based courses
Bachelor of Education	Minimum mean grade C+ (plus) and above or its equivalentC+ (Plus) in two subjects of specialization
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science	Minimum grade C+ (Plus) in KCSE and above and C+ (Plus) in the two subjects of Specialization.Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).

TSC recruitment requirement

During teacher recruitment, TSC can employ a teacher at 3 levels of qualification, graduate, diploma, or certificate level. However, the commission is eliminating the certificate level (P1) to ensure all teachers at least have a diploma or above to teach in Kenyan schools. The qualification for recruitment per level is as follows.

Graduate Teachers Qualifications

1. Applicants must have a minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) at KCSE and C+ (plus) in each of the two teaching subjects or, a minimum of two (2) principles and one (1) subsidiary pass at ‘A’ Level.
2. A Bachelor of Education Degree with two (2) teaching subjects.
3. A Bachelor of Science or Arts Degree plus a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) with two teaching subjects.
4. Bachelor of Science with Education and Bachelor of Arts with Education with two teaching subjects.

Qualifications for Diploma Teachers

1. Applicants must have a mean grade of C+ (plus) at KCSE or its equivalent and with at least C+ (or Credit Pass) in the two teaching subjects or a minimum of one (1) principle and two (2) subsidiaries at ‘A’ level.
2. They must have a diploma in education from a recognized Teacher Training Institution.

Certificate Teachers Qualifications

1. Minimum grade C Plain in KCSE and above.
2. PTE Certificate from KNEC.
3. Mean grade of C-(minus) for visually and hearing impaired persons.