Teacher Registration and Licence Renewal in Ghana: The Complete Guide

Teaching in Ghana is a regulated profession. You cannot legally practise in a public school without a licence from the National Teaching Council (NTC). The pathway involves indexing, the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE), and then annual licence renewal with Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The rules have changed significantly in recent years, with the traditional GTLE being phased out in favour of a subject-based examination. Here is what you need to know based on the official NTC publications.

Part 1: Teacher Registration (The GTLE Pathway)

The NTC is mandated by the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023) to regulate the teaching profession, including conducting examinations for licensing .

Eligibility

For the 2025 GTLE cycle, eligibility was limited to candidates with a Bachelor of Education Degree or a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). Candidates with foreign degrees must provide a certificate evaluation report from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) .

Important reform note: The traditional GTLE (Essential Professional Skills, Literacy and Numeracy) has been phased out. The NTC has moved to a Subject-Based GTLE (SBGTLE) for new entrants from 2024 onwards. Candidates with referrals in the old traditional GTLE who wish to write again must start afresh under the new dispensation .

Step 1: Indexing

Before registering for the GTLE, fresh candidates must be indexed. This is a data collection process to generate a unique code for you .

How to index:

1. Visit https://indexing.ntc.gov.gh to check if your training institution has uploaded your details .

2. If your details are uploaded, pay the indexing fee of GH¢50.00 at any Prudential Bank branch or via mobile money shortcode *772*51# using your college/university index number .

3. You will receive an SMS with your indexing number. If you do not receive it, use your transaction ID to retrieve it on the indexing portal .

4. Keep your indexing number safe. You will need it for GTLE registration.

Step 2: Register for the GTLE

Once indexed, register for the examination at exams.ntc.gov.gh .

Fees (as published for recent cycles):

Payment: Pay at any Prudential Bank branch or via mobile money shortcode *772*51#. Take your e-voucher Serial Number and PIN from the bank, then log on to exams.ntc.gov.gh to complete the form and upload a passport-sized photograph (white background, less than 250kb) .

Step 3: The Examination Structure

For fresh candidates under the current dispensation, the examination comprises three papers :

1. General Professional Knowledge: Numeracy, literacy, and essential professional skills.

2. Grade-level Specialism Pedagogy: Differentiated by your level of specialisation (Early Grade, Primary, JHS, SHS, TVET).

3. Multiple Subjects Content or Single Subject Content: Early Grade/Primary candidates write Multiple Subjects; JHS/SHS/TVET candidates write a single paper in their specialism.

Part 2: Teacher Licence Renewal

The Mandatory Requirement

Renewing your teaching licence is mandatory for all licensed teachers, regardless of whether you are employed by the Ghana Education Service (GES) or are currently unemployed. Maintaining a valid licence is a professional requirement to remain in good standing and eligible for future employment opportunities.

The CPD Requirement

Licence renewal is tied to Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The NTC has a framework for earning CPD points through various activities, including attending professional workshops, participating in research, mentoring, and school-based training. Teachers are expected to accumulate points and renew their licences annually .

The Renewal Process (Teacher Portal Ghana)

The NTC has digitalised the renewal process through Teacher Portal Ghana (TPG) at https://tpg.ntc.gov.gh/ .

Steps to renew or update your licence:

1. Visit the Portal: Open Teacher Portal Ghana on a smartphone or computer .

2. Log In: Use your existing account details. If you are a new user, follow the instructions to create an account .

3. Select the Appropriate Category: Choose the relevant teacher account or service option for your situation

4. Verify Your Details: Check that your name, contact information, and qualifications are accurate. Correct any discrepancies .

5. Check Licence Status: Look for the licensing, registration, or renewal service on your account and follow the instructions .

6. Provide Required Documents: Upload any documents requested by the portal .

7. Complete Payment: Follow the official payment instructions. Note: The NTC has clarified that teachers seeking permanent licence registration are required to pay a GHS 200 fee to complete the process. The provisional licence alone is not sufficient .

8. Submit and Monitor: Review your application, submit it, and check your portal, email, and SMS for updates .

The Unqualified Teacher Deadline (December 2026)

The NTC has issued a firm warning: teachers without professional teaching qualifications will not be allowed to remain in the Ghana Education Service (GES) beyond December 2026 if they fail to obtain valid teaching licences. Over 42,000 teachers in basic and senior high schools lack professional qualifications. To address this, the NTC has introduced an 18-week fast-track Diploma programme in collaboration with five public universities, heavily subsidised at GH¢5,000 for two semesters. Affected teachers must take advantage of this initiative to regularise their status .

Quick Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I register as a teacher in Ghana?
You must be indexed by the NTC, register for and pass the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE), and then apply for your licence through the Teacher Portal Ghana. For the current dispensation, eligibility requires a B.Ed or PGDE .

2. What is the NTC indexing fee?
The indexing fee is GH¢50.00, payable at Prudential Bank or via mobile money shortcode *772*51# .

3. How much does the GTLE cost?
For fresh candidates, the fee is GH¢450.00 for three papers. Re-sit fees are GH¢150 (one paper), GH¢210 (two papers), or GH¢385 (three papers) .

4. Do I still need to write the traditional GTLE?
No. The traditional GTLE has been phased out. New entrants from 2024 onwards write the Subject-Based GTLE (SBGTLE). Candidates with referrals in the old GTLE must start afresh under the new dispensation .

5. How do I renew my teaching licence in Ghana?
Visit Teacher Portal Ghana at https://tpg.ntc.gov.gh/, log in, check your licence status, complete any required CPD, pay the applicable fee (GHS 200 for permanent licence registration), and submit your application .

6. Is licence renewal mandatory if I am unemployed?
Yes. The NTC has clarified that renewal is mandatory for all licensed teachers, regardless of employment status. Maintaining a valid licence keeps you eligible for future GES recruitment.

7. What happens if I don’t have a professional teaching qualification?
The NTC has warned that unqualified teachers will not be allowed to remain in the GES beyond December 2026. A fast-track 18-week Diploma programme has been introduced at a subsidised cost of GH¢5,000 to help affected teachers regularise their status .

8. What is the permanent licence registration fee?
The NTC has stated that teachers seeking permanent licence registration are required to pay a GHS 200 fee to complete the process. A provisional licence alone is not sufficient .

9. What is the CPD requirement for teachers?
The NTC has a CPD framework where teachers earn points through professional development activities. These points are part of the licence renewal requirement.

10. Where can I check my NTC registration status?
You can check your status on Teacher Portal Ghana at https://tpg.ntc.gov.gh/ . For indexing status, visit https://indexing.ntc.gov.gh .