Which teaching qualifications are there in the Netherlands?

Do I need a teaching qualification to work as a teacher in the Netherlands? 

In most cases, yes. Teachers in primary and secondary education must hold a recognised teaching qualification that matches the education sector in which they teach. If you obtained your teaching qualification outside the Netherlands, you may first need to have your diploma assessed before you can work as a teacher. Read more about the recognition process in Ga naar artikel about foreign teaching qualifications.

The Dutch education system distinguishes between three main teaching qualifications:

Primary education teaching qualification

A primary education teaching qualification allows you to teach in primary schools and schools for special needs education. You may also teach in secondary special needs education (voortgezet speciaal onderwijs), unless the school administers the final examinations itself. In that case, a secondary education teaching qualification is required. This qualification also allows you to teach in practical education (praktijkonderwijs).

Second-degree teaching qualification

A second-degree teaching qualification is linked to a specific subject. It allows you to teach in:

• preparatory vocational secondary education (vmbo);

• the lower years (1-3) of senior general secondary education (havo) and pre-university education (vwo);

• secondary special needs education;

• practical education (praktijkonderwijs);

• vocational education and training (mbo), including secondary general adult education (vavo).

In addition, teachers with a second-degree qualification may teach subjects in primary education that correspond with subjects taught in primary schools.

First-degree teaching qualification

A first-degree teaching qualification is also linked to a specific subject. It allows you to teach in all sectors where a second-degree qualification is valid, as well as the upper years (4-6) of havo and vwo.

Teaching in mbo

Teaching qualifications work slightly differently in vocational education and training (mbo). While first- and second-degree teaching qualifications are recognised, it is also possible to become an mbo teacher through a PDG program, combined with a certificate of suitability issued by the school board.  

What do 'qualified', 'competent' and 'appointable' mean?

Within Dutch education, three terms are used when discussing teaching requirements: qualified (bevoegd), competent (bekwaam) and appointable (benoembaar).

Competent (bekwaam)

Being a teacher comprises of much more than just discussing teaching material: teachers must guide students in their development, create new teaching materials and methods, work alongside colleagues and maintain contact with parents and other caregivers. The minimum requirements are determined by law in competency requirements. 

Three core areas of competence form the foundation of the teaching profession:

• subject matter expertise;

• didactic competence;

• pedagogical competence.

Qualified (bevoegd)

Being qualified means you hold a recognised teaching qualification (as discussed above) that allows you to teach in a specific education sector. In primary and secondary education, teachers generally need the appropriate qualification before they can teach independently.

Appointable (benoembaar)

Being appointable means that a school is legally allowed to employ you as a teacher.

In primary and secondary education, this means you:

• hold the appropriate teaching qualification;

• can provide a Certificate of Conduct (VOG);

• are not prohibited from teaching by a court.

In mbo, appointability is assessed differently. School boards may determine that a candidate has sufficient subject expertise based on previous education or professional experience. Combined with a certificate of suitability and, where applicable, a pedagogical-didactic certificate (PDG), this also allows someone to teach in mbo.

What is temporary appointability?

In some situations, teachers may be appointed temporarily while they work towards meeting all qualification requirements.

Examples include:

• trainee teachers;

• career changers following an alternative teacher training route (zij-instroom);

• substitute teachers filling temporary vacancies;

• teachers who are obtaining an additional teaching qualification for another subject;

• second-degree teachers who temporarily teach senior classes under specific legal conditions.

The exact rules depend on the education sector and the circumstances.

What if I obtained my teaching qualification abroad?

If you already hold a teaching qualification from another country, you may be able to use it to teach in the Netherlands. Depending on your diploma and the country where you obtained it, you may need to have your qualification assessed before you can start working.

Read our article about the recognition of foreign teaching qualifications to learn more about the application process and the organisations involved.