Guidance

Teacher reference number (TRN)

Find out what a teacher reference number (TRN) isis, what it's for and how toteachers findcan orget request a reminder of their TRN.

Applies to England

What is a teacher reference number (TRN)

A TRN is a 7 digit number that uniquely identifies you in the education sector in England.

You will only have aone TRN if you:

  • holdit qualifiedstays teacherwith statusyou (QTS)throughout inyour Englandcareer. orIf Wales
  • holdyou earlyalready yearshave teachera status (EYTSTRN) inyou England
  • holddo anot nationalneed professionala qualificationnew (NPQ)
  • areone workingif towardsyou QTS,change EYTSroles or start a nationalnew professionalperiod qualificationof (NPQtraining.

    Your TRN)

  • contribute tois thepersonal Teachers’to Pensionsyou scheme inonly Englanddisclose oryour Wales
  • haveTRN ato relevantyour restrictionemployer inor relationan official.

    What to teachingdo inif England

  • you’ve forgotten your TRN

YouIf onlyyou’ve haveforgotten oneyour TRN, you itcan:

1. staysCheck withyour youpayslip, throughoutpension yourstatement career.

Youor willteacher needtraining yourrecords

Your TRN to:

  • accessis yoursometimes individualon teacheryour recordpayslip, topension checkstatement itor isteacher accuratetraining andrecords.

    2. downloadUse professionalthe certificates

  • contactFind Teachers’a Pensions
  • givelost toTRN employersservice

    You’ll sobe theyasked canfor complete mandatory teacher status checksyour:

    • name
    • begindate earlyof career teacher trainingbirth
    • doNational anInsurance NPQ number

    YourIf there’s a match, you’ll get your TRN isstraight personalaway.

    If tothere’s no match, or you don’t onlyhave disclosea yourNational TRNInsurance tonumber, yourit employermight ortake anup official.

    Howto 5 days to find your TRN

    .

    If

    3. you’veRequest forgottena yourreminder TRN,by youphone

    Teaching can:Regulation Agency

    1.

    Telephone Check020 your7593 payslip5394

    Lines orare pensionopen statement

    2.Monday Useto FindThursday, a9am lostto TRN5pm, and on Friday from 9am to check4:30pm if(except public holidays).

    Make sure you have ayour TRNNational orInsurance findnumber yourready TRNbefore you call.


    RequestWho gets a TRN

    MostYou peoplewill whohave are eligible for a TRN willif be allocated one automatically.you:

    However,

    • hold youqualified mayteacher notstatus have(QTS) onein butEngland needor oneWales
    • are to:

        working towards QTS
      • dohold anearly NPQyears teacher status (EYTS) (forin example,England
      • are ifworking you’retowards anEYTS
      • hold earlya yearsnational professional youqualification may(NPQ)
      • are notworking havetowards aan TRNNPQ)
      • becontribute to the Teachers’ Pensions scheme
      • have a mentorrelevant forrestriction anin earlyrelation careerto teacherteaching in England

      To

      How requestto get a TRN

      If you’llyou’re needeligible tofor send a secureTRN emailin toEngland, DfEyou usingshould be allocated one automatically by the emailTeaching platformRegulation Galaxkey:Agency or Capita Teachers’ Pensions.

      1.

      If Createyou do not have a GalaxkeyTRN account

      You’llbut need one to createdo youra Galaxkeynational accountprofessional withqualification, anyou emailshould addressget thatinstructions youabout willhow notto loserequest accessone. toIf you suchdo asnot areceive personalthese emailinstructions, address.email:

      2.

      Qualified Sendteacher astatus

      Email secure email

      qts.enquiries@education.gov.uk

From

What youra GalaxkeyTRN account,is emailfor

You qts.enquiries@education.gov.ukneed withto theknow subjectyour ‘Request TRN and include your:to:

  • fullview legalyour name,record andwith anythe previousTeaching namesRegulation ifAgency applicable
  • date(TRA), ofcheck birth
  • Nationalyour Insurancerecord number,is ifaccurate youand havedownload one
  • address,professional ifcertificates youin livethe outsideTeacher ofself theservice UKportal
  • NPQgive provider,to ifemployers you’reso requestingthey acan TRNcomplete formandatory anteacher NPQ status checks
  • proofto ofmanage identityrecords of attachyour acontributions phototo orthe scannedTeachers’ copyPensions of either your:
    • passportscheme
    • drivinggive licenceto (fullthe orDepartment provisional)
    • certificatefor ofEducation residence
    • birth certificate

(DfE) willwhen respond by email with your TRN within 5 working days.

If you have anybeen problemsawarded requesting a TRNQTS, emailso DfEyou atcan qts.enquiries@education.gov.uk.begin Neveryour includeearly allcareer yourteacher personalinduction details and proofaccess ofyour identityearly unlesscareer you’reframework sendinginduction atraining secure email to DfE via Galaxkey.

programme
Published 21 December 2020
Last updated 254 OctoberMay 20232022 + show all updates
  1. Details about how to request a teacher reference number have been added.

  2. New find a lost TRN service added.

  3. First published.