The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) requires all teachers to be certified through the Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) before they can be fully recognized. Here’s a simple breakdown of who is eligible:
🎓 1. Minimum Teaching Qualification
The lowest acceptable qualification is the NCE (Nigeria Certificate in Education).
If you hold an education degree (B.Ed, M.Ed, PhD in Education), you are already eligible.
If your degree is not in education, you’ll need a postgraduate teaching qualification like PGDE, PDE, or PDDE before you can qualify.
📑 2. Academic Certificate
You must provide proof of your academic qualifications:
NCE
Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s Degree
Doctorate
👤 3. Age, Character & Record
Applicants should be of good character.
You must not have been convicted of any crime involving fraud or dishonesty.
Some sources mention a minimum age of 21 years (always confirm with official TRCN guidelines).
⏳ 4. Timely Registration & Validity
After passing the PQE, you must register with TRCN and collect your certificate within one year.
The PQE result is valid for only one year; after that, you may need to retake the exam if not registered.
🎓 5. Special Consideration for Final-Year Students
In some institutions, 400-level students (who are already on Teaching Practice) may be allowed to register for the PQE.
They must also meet the minimum academic requirements set by TRCN.
✅ Summary:
To sit for the TRCN exam, you need at least an NCE, must be of good character, and must complete your registration within one year of passing. If your degree is not in education, get a postgraduate teaching qualification first.
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