Blogs on Teaching and Living in Thailand

The requirements and process for obtaining a Thai teacher's license is an extremely tedious process that can vary depending on the qualifications you’re holding and the school or organization you’ll be working with. It's best to consult with your employer for more information on the specific requirements and process for obtaining a teacher's license as a foreign teacher in Thailand.

A temporary teaching license waiver is given by the Teaching Council of Thailand to teachers who want to work in government and private primary and secondary schools, holding only a Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field. They will need to apply for a “5-year B-license”, or a “7-year A-license” with the Teaching Council of Thailand.

Obtaining a Thai teaching waiver for 5 or 7 years doesn’t come easy, however. Foreign teachers have to attend online practical and theoretical training sessions; 7 modules in total, and pass an exam.

Qualified teachers holding a B.Ed., a PGCE, an M.Ed., or a PGCEi, or teachers licensed to teach in their home countries are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a teaching waiver. With the qualifications, they already have they can qualify for a Thai teaching license and obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labor. Teachers working at Thai universities as  Lecturers don’t need a temporary teaching waiver either, they too qualify for a Thai teaching license.

A number of foreign teachers choose to get qualified by doing a B.Ed. or a PGCE in Thailand. This can be costly and risky, and here’s why. The Teaching Council of Thailand updates the list of recognized colleges where foreign teachers can study to obtain qualified teacher status yearly. Unfortunately, when this list gets updated some of these colleges offering these specific teaching qualifications are dropped from the list i.e., the energy and the money you’ve put into the course are gone and you’re back to square one!

People taking the short route of 7 modules, close themselves off from further studies and the rules might change down the line. My advice is if you're doing a B.Ed., M.Ed., or PGCEi in your home country, complete it just to be safe. Also, this 7-module course is for people who will be stuck in government schools. International schools are still going to want to see actual qualifications.

Like many things here in Thailand, the actual rules and reality vary quite a bit. I've known teachers with more than 3 waivers who haven't studied to gain the extra ones. All legal with work permits.

Last, my advice is to play it safe and seek advice from your employer first before deciding on the route you’ll be taking in obtaining a teacher's license.  

Some of the documents that are required to apply for a Thai teaching license:

• - An original degree in education and original transcripts
• - 4 photographs
• - Copy of passport
• - Copy of a Non-Imm B or O visa
• - Criminal background check
• - Application form

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Blog by Teacher Melo

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Note that the author of the blog is expressing personal thoughts and musings, which do not necessarily reflect those of KruTeacher. Therefore, KruTeacher.com cannot be held responsible for any potential inaccuracies that may be present in the blog.