UAE Teacher Certification

UAE teacher certification - Become a teacher in UAE

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In order to become a teacher in the UAE, an individual must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field. Other conditions apply as well.

The UAE requires licenses for all employees working in educational institutions, Universities starting from every staff to the principal.

Teaching License is an important element to ensure the quality of the teaching workforce in UAE.

Dubai and the UAE have emerged as premier destinations for educators worldwide, offering excellent professional opportunities in a thriving education sector. As of 2025, the UAE hosts diverse curricula schools including British (36% of students in Dubai), Indian (26%), American (15%), and various international programs. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about becoming a certified teacher in the UAE, with specialized information for high school teaching across different curricula.

Documents Attestation Services in UAE

Documents We Can Assist You With

GloboPrime specializes in handling all documentation required for UAE teacher certification across various high school curricula. Our services cover:

Educational Documentation

Degree Certificates: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. attestation for all subjects required by UAE high schools
Teaching Qualification Certificates: PGCE, B.Ed, M.Ed, teaching licenses/credentials
Transcripts: Academic records showing subject specialization required for high school teaching
School Transfer Certificates: For teachers relocating from other UAE schools or international institutions

CERTIFICATE ATTESTATION

TYPES OF DOCUMENTS

The UAE Teacher and Education Leadership Standards (TLS) Licensing Program

The UAE Ministry of Education established the Teacher and Education Leadership Standards (TLS) licensing program to standardize teacher qualifications across all public and private schools. This licensing system, which became mandatory in 2020, ensures consistent education quality throughout the country.

Core Requirements for All UAE Teachers

Regardless of curriculum or school type, all teachers in the UAE must meet these fundamental requirements:

Bachelor’s degree or 4-year university degree in education or your subject specialty
Valid teaching license or certification from your home country
Attested educational certificates by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and your home country’s embassy
Police clearance certificate (UAE and any countries of residence in past five years)
Good standing documentation from current/previous employers
Medical fitness certificate from a UAE-authorized health center
Successful completion of TLS examinations

The TLS Licensing Process

The TLS licensing process involves several key steps to ensure all teachers are fully qualified:

Registration: Create an account on the Ministry of Education’s TLS portal using UAE Pass.
Document Submission: Upload attested credentials including degrees, teaching qualifications, and identity documents.
Application Verification: Await verification of qualifications and eligibility assessment.
Examination: Successfully complete two mandatory exams:
- Pedagogy test (teaching methodologies and educational principles)
- Subject specialization exam in your teaching field
License Issuance: Receive a digital teaching license valid for 1-3 years depending on qualifications and test performance.
License Renewal: Maintain a professional development portfolio for renewal.

Licensing Fees

The licensing fee is approximately AED 1,200 for the entire process, excluding document attestation costs which may vary.

High School Teacher Requirements by Curriculum Type

The UAE hosts multiple international curricula, each with specific teacher qualification requirements beyond the standard TLS licensing. Below are the curriculum-specific requirements for high school teachers:

British Curriculum Schools (36% of Dubai students)

British curriculum schools follow the National Curriculum for England, culminating in GCSE and A-Level qualifications. Leading institutions include GEMS schools, Dubai British School, and Brighton College Dubai.

Specific Qualifications Required:

UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent international certification
Bachelor’s degree in your subject specialty (Master’s preferred for A-Level teaching)
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or equivalent teaching qualification
Minimum 2-3 years’ experience teaching British curriculum (3-5 years for senior positions)
For English teaching positions: CELTA/DELTA qualification for non-native speakers

Curriculum Knowledge Required:

Experience with GCSE and A-Level examination systems
Understanding of the National Curriculum assessment frameworks
Familiarity with Ofsted standards and inspection criteria
Knowledge of subject-specific UK exam board requirements (Edexcel, AQA, OCR)
Understanding of BTEC vocational qualifications (for applicable positions)

American Curriculum Schools (15% of Dubai students)

American curriculum schools follow US Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, leading to a High School Diploma. Notable schools include Dubai American Academy and American School of Dubai.

Specific Qualifications Required:

State teaching license from the US or equivalent international certification
Bachelor’s degree in education or subject specialty (Master’s preferred for AP teaching)
2+ years experience teaching American curriculum
For English positions: TESOL/TEFL certification (120+ hours) for non-native speakers

Curriculum Knowledge Required:

Experience with US Common Core standards implementation
Knowledge of American grading systems and credit requirements
Familiarity with Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate programs
Understanding of standardized testing procedures (SAT, ACT)
Experience with project-based learning methodologies

Indian Curriculum Schools (26% of Dubai students)

Indian curriculum schools follow CBSE or ICSE curricula. Major institutions include Indian High School Dubai, GEMS Our Own English High School, and Delhi Private School.

Specific Qualifications Required:

Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed) from a recognized university
Master’s degree in your subject area (required for senior secondary positions)
Registration with KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) for Dubai schools
3+ years experience teaching CBSE/ICSE syllabi
Knowledge of the latest NCERT guidelines and curriculum changes

Curriculum Knowledge Required:

Experience with Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) patterns
Understanding of Indian board examination systems
Familiarity with practical assessment components for science subjects
Knowledge of CBSE/ICSE examination and marking schemes
Experience with latest educational technology integrations

IB Curriculum Schools

International Baccalaureate schools offer the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) for high school students. Notable examples include Repton School Dubai and Jumeirah English Speaking School.

Specific Qualifications Required:

IB-recognized professional development certifications
Teaching qualification plus subject specialty degree
International teaching experience (minimum 2 years)
IB examiner experience advantageous for Diploma Program teachers

Curriculum Knowledge Required:

Understanding of IB philosophy and approaches to teaching and learning
Experience with criterion-referenced assessment models
Knowledge of Theory of Knowledge and CAS components
Familiarity with Extended Essay supervision requirements
Understanding of interdisciplinary teaching approaches

How to apply for UAE teachers license?

The teacher must pass two examinations, one in pedagogy and the other in the area of specialization in which he or she wishes to practice.

Instead, the system provides training courses that are customized based on the applicant’s exam score in order to attain the desired result
Licenses are the credentials needed to legally operate as a teacher in UAE.

The KHDA teacher guidelines, qualifications, regulations, and rules for educators mandated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) direct the teachers aspiring to secure a teaching job in Dubai and UAE through all the necessary educational requirements, essential teacher licensing programs

If you are planning on applying to a private school, the school’s administration will first contact the Ministry of Education or the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai to get the necessary documents.

The Teacher Licensing System is a new system that enables individuals to work in both public and private schools in the UAE.

The objective of the Educational Professions Licensure System is to provide a level of assurance and transparency in the licensing of education professionals so that they can continue their studies and work seamlessly.

Apply for government teacher’s jobs – Ministry of Education
Apply for a teacher’s position in Abu Dhabi

Documents required for Teachers license in UAE

If the educator has graduated from a school outside the United Arab Emirates, his or her certificate must be attested by the country’s embassy or consulate in the country where the school was located.

make sure that you are legally accredited AND have the proper documentation on hand with an apostille stamp on it because otherwise you will have to look elsewhere for employment. The more stamps, the better!

Fitness to Teach A teacher must declare that he or she is physically and mentally fit to practice teaching.

Well-placed

In order to teach in the UAE, a teacher must have A police clearance certificate a letter from the school attesting to the instructor’s good standing.

In addition, a teacher who has not lived continuously in the UAE for at least five years after arriving in the UAE must possess the following qualifications.

each of the last five years of police clearance certificates from each country of residency

Professional development is required for all employees.
To remain certified, educators are required to complete a series of obligatory courses in professional development.
The necessary profession is a doctor.

Document Attestation Process

All educational certificates must be attested in this sequence:

Notarized in country of issuance

The first step involves notarizing the document in the country of issuance to ensure that the signature and authenticity of the document are verified.

Authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in issuing country

After notarization, the document must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the issuing country to ensure it meets the required legal standards.

Attested by UAE Embassy in issuing country

The next step is attestation by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in the country of issuance to authenticate the document for use in the UAE.

Final attestation by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAIC)

The final step involves attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC), which ensures the document is legally recognized for use in the UAE.

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Relocation Commercial Document Attestation

Memorandum of Association
Certificate of Incorporation
Articles of Association
Special Power of Attorney
Board Resolution
Agency Agreements
Power of Attorney

Any Certificate attestation From the Following Countries

How GloboPrime Can Assist With UAE Teacher Certification

At GloboPrime, we provide comprehensive support for educators seeking to teach in UAE high schools. Our specialized services include:

Document Attestation for Teachers

We handle attestation of your educational certificates, teaching licenses, and experience letters required for teaching positions at prestigious institutions like Indian High School Dubai, GEMS Our Own English High School, and Al Diyafah High School.

Equivalency Certificate Processing

Our experts guide you through obtaining your degree equivalency certificate from the UAE Ministry of Education, a crucial requirement for high school teaching positions in British, American, and Indian curriculum schools.

High School Curriculum-Specific Guidance

Whether you’re applying to teach at British curriculum schools, American curriculum institutions, or Indian high schools, our consultants provide tailored advice for your specific teaching field.

Work Visa Processing for Educators

Once certified, we handle your teacher work visa application, ensuring a smooth transition to your new teaching role in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah.

Contact our education certification specialists today at +971 4 2394809 or email info@globoprime.com to start your journey toward becoming a certified UAE teacher.

For the most current information on licensing requirements, always refer to the official UAE Ministry of Education website or the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) portal for Dubai schools.

Ready to Get Started?

Contact GloboPrime today for a free consultation and personalized quote. We’ll guide you through the process and ensure your documents are attested accurately and efficiently.Visit our office or call us today!

UAE Teacher Certification