Qualifications for teachers, tutors, trainers, lecturers and instructors
in the FE sector in England
The difference between ‘qualifications’ and ‘licensed practitioner status’ (QTLS, ATLS)’
Qualifications are one part of gaining licensed practitioner status (i.e. QTLS or ATLS). You can only be awarded QTLS or ATLS once you have:
- gained appropriate qualifications, (or alternative recognition), which for teachers of literacy, ESOL or numeracy must also include subject specific qualifications, and;
- completed a process of professional formation according to Institute for Learning (IfL) criteria, to demonstrate that you are in good professional standing and can apply the skills learnt in initial teacher training (ITT) to practical teaching.
Another distinction is that qualifications, once awarded, cannot be taken away, whereas a licence to practise must be maintained throughout ongoing CPD.