Teacher reference number (TRN)
Find out what a teacher reference number (TRN) is and how to find or request a TRN.
Applies to England
A teacher reference number (TRN) is a 7-digit number that uniquely identifies you in the education sector in England.
You’ll have a TRN if you:
- hold qualified teacher status (QTS) in England or Wales
- hold early years teacher status (EYTS) in England
- hold a national professional qualification (NPQ)
- are working towards QTS, EYTS or a NPQ
- contribute to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme in England or Wales
- have a relevant restriction in relation to teaching in England
You only have one TRN and it stays with you throughout your career.
What you’ll need a TRN for
Your TRN will be needed to:
- access your teaching qualifications to check they are accurate and download professional certificates
- contact Teachers’ Pensions
- give to employers so they can complete mandatory teacher status checks
- start early career teacher training
- register for a national professional qualification (NPQ)
Your TRN is personal to you. Only disclose your TRN to your employer or a person acting in an official capacity.
If you’ve never received a TRN
Most people eligible for a TRN are given one automatically.
However, you may not have one but need to request one to:
- register for a NPQ (for example, if you’re an early years professional you may not have a TRN)
- be a mentor for a trainee teacher or early career teacher
How to find your TRN
If you’ve forgotten your TRN, you can:
-
check your payslip or pension statement
-
use the Find a lost TRN service to check if you have a TRN or to find your TRN
Request a TRN
If you’re registering for an NPQ
Use the Get a teacher reference number service to request a TRN to register for a NPQ.
You’ll need your National Insurance number (if you have one) and proof of your identity, for example a:
- passport
- driving licence
- birth certificate
- UK work permit
If you’re a mentor for a trainee or early career teacher
You’ll need to send a secure email to the Department for Education (DfE) using the email platform Galaxkey.
You must include your:
- full legal name, and any previous names if applicable
- date of birth
- National Insurance number, if you have one
- address, if you live outside of the UK
- proof of identity – attach a photo or scanned copy of either your:
- passport
- driving licence
- birth certificate
- UK work permit
Create a Galaxkey email account (to open in a new tab right click the link) and use it to send your email securely to QTS.Enquiries@education.gov.uk.
You must use an email account that you’ll not lose access to, such as a personal email address. Add ‘Request TRN’ as the subject of your email.
Never include all your personal details and proof of identity unless you’re sending a secure email to DfE via Galaxkey.
DfE will respond by email with your TRN within 5 working days. Check for replies from DfE, including your spam folder, as we may need to ask you for more details before allocating you a TRN.
Get help
If you have any problems requesting a TRN, email DfE at QTS.Enquiries@education.gov.uk.
Updates to this page
Last updated 25 October 2023 + show all updates
-
Details about how to request a teacher reference number have been added.
-
New find a lost TRN service added.
-
First published.